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Education
Inspiring! Educational Opportunities & Business Specialties
Patrick Henry Community College (PHCC) is situated on 137 acres overlooking one
of Henry County's beautiful views. It is a place where generous oaks, maples, and
walnuts sway gently on spring days, shading English classes discussing the impact of
landscape in Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, and sheltering seniors studying for final
exams. Each of the seasons brings a different scene, a new inspiration, an innovative
program to PHCC. Attending students and alumni continually benefit from the cultural
and educational advancements afforded them by Martinsville-Henry County's premier
educational institution.
PHCC's main campus occupies six state-of-the-art buildings for the more than
3,000 students enrolled each semester. PHCC extends services to students and
professionals residing outside of Henry County. In addition to the main campus,
the college has off-campus sites in Martinsville as well as in Franklin and Patrick
counties, which make education and training more accessible to all interested participants.
Boasting a long history of flexibility and responsiveness, PHCC commits itself to the
workforce development and continuing education needs of the community. The college' s
vision is "to be valued as the premier resource for economic development in our area
and the preferred partner with our business and industrial community." PHCC offers more
than 60 fields of study from which students can choose.
PHCC extends its program of study to include sixteen Bachelors degrees and five master's
degrees in coalition with Old Dominion University's TELETECHNET program. A progressive
college, PHCC keeps in step with technological advances by utilizing state-of-the-art
facilities, resources and equipment. A full spectrum of distance learning programs are
available in virtually every program offered by the college including personal interest courses.
If you would like more information,
visit www.ph.vccs.edu.
New College Institute (NCI)
 New College Institute (NCI) became Virginia's newest educational institution and state agency on July 1, 2006. NCI's focus is degree completion at the bachelor's and master's level. It offers programs that meet the needs of the region, are high demand throughout the Commonwealth, or are niche programs drawing upon the special resources of the area. The programs are brought to Martinsville - Henry County through public and private institutions that partner with NCI.
NCI has made remarkable progress, beginning its academic programs a year earlier than anticipated. It's Pilot Program consists of six degree programs (two master's degrees and four bachelor's degrees) and courses applicable toward a seventh (a master's degree), which is expected to become a full program in 2007 - 08. NCI contracts with five institutions for the programs and elective courses that are being offered in 2006 - 07. They are Averett University, Ferrum College, Longwood University, Radford University and the University of Virginia. With additional funding in 2007 - 08, NCI expects to have contracts with a total of 10 institutions.
NCI's classrooms are located in uptown Martinsville in a building renovated that includes the latest educational technology. Five of NCI's programs, along with the electives for another, are being conducted here. A bachelor's in nursing program is on the campus of Patrick Henry Community College.
Central to fulfilling it's mission, NCI has an extensive Educational Outreach program. Staff members called Knowledge Managers work in the community and in the schools to show students and families the value of higher education.
NCI is a reality due to the diligent efforts put forth by Martinsville-Henry County residents. As it grows, the New College Institute will provide students a wide array of educational options along with professional and personal skills that will enable them to be life-long learners.
If you would like more information, visit www.newcollegeinstitute.org.
Martinsville-Henry County Public Schools
Education is the cornerstone of economic development. It is the hope for future growth, prosperity
and opportunity. Parents, educators and business leaders are committed to ensuring that Martinsville-Henry
County students receive the best educational advantages and opportunities possible.
Martinsville City Schools
Martinsville City Public Schools is a small, yet progressive school district located approximately mid way between Roanoke, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Carolina.
Approximately 2,600 students attend classes in one full-day preschool, two K-2 primary schools, one intermediate school, a middle school and a high school.
Martinsville High School serves 825 students in grades 9-12 with many innovative programs including: International Baccalaureate and an array of career/technical offerings aimed at preparing students for life. Competitive athletic and academic teams are strong regionally, and a partnership with Martinsville Speedway links students with the exciting world of NASCAR. The school is led by an administrative team of three -- a principal and two assistants. The school's strong guidance department is credited with steering students to collegiate opportunities -- including academic and athletic scholarships in the hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. The school's band programs also are regionally recognized for excellence.
Very strong parent "booster" organizations support athletics and music at MHS.
 NASA invested in a $4.5 million Aerospace Education Lab at Martinsville Middle School in 2002, and the 615 students in grades 6 - 8 spend at least a semester in the lab. The modern building houses grade level teams. In addition to the focus on science, math and engineering offered by the NASA lab, the school has strong arts and music offerings that feed directly into high school programming. Just as students learn in teams, teachers participate in staff development throughout the year that strengthen the school's strong programs. MMS is led by a principal and two assistant principals who form a strong administrative team.
Albert Harris Intermediate School serves 578 children in grades 3 - 5 in a renovated facility with a focus on technology. A federally funded literacy initiative currently is underway, and the school has a strong link to the arts with an annual visit by the Richmond Ballet whose members work one-on-one with children to create an annual production that is attended by a sold-out audience. The administrative team consists of a principal and an assistant principal. The school enjoys a strong alumni association and after school programming serves nearly 135 children a day until 6 p.m.
Druid Hills Elementary serves 370 children in K-2 and Clearview Elementary an additional 191 K-2 students. These schools, too, have active Boys & Girls Clubs for after school safety and programming. Highly qualified teachers staff the schools, and these personnel currently are participating in a division-wide literacy reform effort through the Federal Reading First program. Both schools have very active P.T.O. organizations supporting learning, physical fitness and cultural participation for all students. Each is led by a seasoned professional principal and strong support staffs.
A five-member school board, appointed by Martinsville City Council, represents the school division. Members are advocates for learning in Martinsville and represent many years of experience and commitment. Members serve 4-year renewable terms. Click Here to visit the website.
The school division aggressively seeks grants for innovative programming, including:
- A full-day preschool center serves 130 three- and four- year-old children and their families.
- About 350 children ages 5 - 15 attend after school programming free of charge.
- A teacher mentor program ensures that new teachers get the help and support they need to be successful in the classroom.
- Even Start allows parents to attend school while their children do.
- Workforce Investment Act funds provide summer employment for high school students and offer world-of-work experiences students might not otherwise have.
- Best Friends teaches middle school girls to value themselves and avoid behaviors that will distract from success in life.
- Students receive nutritional counseling and can use "exergaming" technologies after school to tackle obesity and encourage better nutrition.
These are examples of grant-funded programs that bring rich opportunities to students and staff of MCPS.
Visit Martinsville City Schools at www.martinsville.k12.va.us.
Henry County Public Schools
Henry County School systems educate more than 11,000 students at a 19 to 1 teacher to student ratio.
Henry County boasts neighborhood schools that have become a source of community pride. Students attending
Henry County schools have access to the latest technology, award winning educational programs and the
O'Henry Work Experience Program; these programs combined with Henry County's commitment to excellence
ensures the best educational advantages and opportunities possible for all students.
Students attending Henry County Public Schools have access to state of the art technology resources.
The school system has been recognized nationally for its system-wide laptop initiative that is
currently being used as a model for other school systems. In the 2000-2001 school year, the school
purchased 300 wireless laptops for the county's four middle schools. Using the wireless computers
gives every student access to a computer. Henry County schools also offered special training classes
for both parents and teachers at the onset of the program. These courses allowed many of the students
to serve as instructors as they taught parents to navigate successfully the World Wide Web. The value
Henry County has put on technology education is bringing the community's children to the forefront for educational success.
Among the many programs that ensure the well-rounded education of all students in Henry County is the Floriculture
program at Laurel Park High School. Students in this program learn the ends and outs of all aspects of floriculture
to become Master Gardeners at the completion of those courses. Floriculture students have captured National awards
and therefore brought the educational accomplishments of Henry County to the attention of the nation.
Henry County Public Schools and the business community in Martinsville-Henry County have partnered to provide
students with the tools to realize their future in the ever-changing world of business and technology.
The Partnerships in Excellence program brings the academic and professional worlds together under one roof
in a partnership that benefits all involved. Business partners work with their respective schools to lend a
hand wherever and whenever needed. Business partners serve as mentors, lunch buddies, donors and tutors to
thousands of students. Our community's children are also being prepared for the workplace through the O'Henry
program. It is designed to give students hands on experience in a field of their choice so that their career
decisions are informed decisions.
With exposure to wonderful educational programs, partnerships and technology programs, there is no doubt that
Henry County's students will take the business world by storm.
Visit Henry County Public Schools at www.henry.k12.va.us.
Carlisle School--Excellence in Education
More than three decades ago, a group of parents, educators and business leaders gathered
together to start a small community based private school in Henry County. Their combined
vision and determination materialized into Carlisle School.
Today, Carlisle is home to more than 400 students, from pre-school to grade 12, striving
towards diverse goals and prospects. Some of those students travel across state lines to
participate in the academic, sports, performing arts and extra curricular activities that
Carlisle has to offer. The combination of benefits of attending an educational institution
like Carlisle, make it a popular school, an interesting place to grow up.
The reasons for Carlisle's success are numerous. But the achievements grow from the foundation
of the staff, parents, and community supporters' commitment to provide the finest education
possible to the students who enter the hallways at Carlisle.
Absolute commitment to educational advancement has earned the school local, state and
international recognition. In the school's International Baccalaureate program, Carlisle
students' scores were among the best in the world. On standardized test scores, the school
routinely ranks among the highest in the nation.
Carlisle School Introduces MYP
After several years of success with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, reaching well beyond national and international norms, Carlisle proudly introduces the Middle Years Program.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Program consists of three stages: the Primary Years Program, the Middle Years Program and the Diploma Program. Why all the recent hype about the IB Program? It is an extremely well-rounded approach to learning wherein students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to participate actively and responsibly in a changing and interrelated world. Not only are the kids acquiring necessary skills and knowledge, but they are having more fun in an interactive environment. New student, Erin Tucker, says, "I like the friendly atmosphere and Carlisle seems to challenge my learning abilities much more." The core components of MYP are Language A (English), Language B (Spanish), Humanities, Technology, Mathematics, Arts, Sciences, Physical Education and what are known as "Areas of Interaction." Areas of Interaction include approaches to learning, community service, health and social education, environment and homofaber, which focuses on the "products of the creative genius of people and their impact on society and on the human mind." The Areas of Interaction are intended to help the student to become more and more aware of the connections between subject content and the real world, as opposed to considering subjects as isolated areas unrelated to each other and to the world. Carlisle students will develop an awareness of more expansive and more complex international issues. The MYP presents knowledge as an integrated whole, emphasizing the attainment of skills, self-awareness and the maturity of personal values. MYP includes students grades 6 through 10 and is an excellent preparation for the Diploma Program, which gives our future graduates a competitive edge on the colleges and universities of their choice.
For more information visit the Carlisle School
at www.carlisleschool.org.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Education
Martinsville and Henry County currently boast one of 19 International Baccalaureate (IB) programs
in the state of Virginia. Carlisle School, a private school in Henry County has been certified by
the administrators of the program since 1999. Fortunately, the community is about to have two IB
certified schools; Martinsville High School is slated to complete its certification and training
by the 2002-2003 academic year.
Chartered in Geneva, Switzerland in 1967, the IB program is recognized worldwide for its rigorous
academic standards and educational initiatives. Administrators of the program have evaluated the merit
of educational models and incorporated the best academic theories and methods into the program.
"Designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill requirements
of various national education systems, the diploma model is based on no single country's educational
system, but incorporates the best elements of several," according to the IB informational brochure.
The uniformity of the program provides a solid structure for students and instructors alike. In order
to accommodate the design of the program, all educators must complete a detailed training course to
ensure the consistency of the program worldwide. The program is administered by a 30-member
international council dedicated to ensuring excellence in education.
In our changing economy and workforce, businesses recognize the benefits of an employee with
experience in multi-cultural relations which IB students attain simply by participating. The benefits
of this program are far-reaching; not only do they provide students with superior education, but it
also improves the quality of life in our community.
National College
National College's Martinsville campus is one of 21 campuses in five states
for the Salem, Va.-based college. At Martinsville, some 300* students pursue associate's degrees or
program diplomas in 13 career fields that pertain to business, health care, and technology.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges & Schools and has been
certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.
The Martinsville campus also features small class sizes, free tutoring, life experience credits and
advanced placement evaluation. In addition to our career courses, we offer National College graduates
job placement through our career center and free refresher courses in a nurturing environment.
We also provide business partnership grants in cooperation with leading industry in the community.
For more information about the National College go to our
web site at www.national-college.edu or call 276-632-5621.
Old Dominion University
 Old Dominion University offers 17 Bachelor's degrees, 11 Master's degrees, 3 Ph.D. programs, and several certificate and teacher licensure programs, all on the campus of Patrick Henry Community College.
Old Dominion's reputation for quality education extends back to 1930, when it opened its doors in Norfolk, VA, as a division of the College of William and Mary. Today, Old Dominion is one of the few public universities with a Carnegie Foundation "Doctoral/Research Universities-Extensive" distinction, and is a pioneer in telecommunications and renowned leader in distance learning.
Old Dominion's distance learning programs offer the highest-quality education, convenient courses, and affordable tuition. Old Dominion changes lives by broadening horizons, offering qualifications for better employment and paving the way for economic development. Among the programs of study include Health Science and Nursing, Education, Human Services, Engineering Technology and Business. With more than 50 locations at community colleges and military bases in Virginia, Arizona, Washington, Illinois, Georgia and the Bahamas, Old Dominion's satellite delivery network, TELETECHNET, is the largest distance learning network of its kind in the nation. Through satellite broadcasts and Internet video-streaming, students across the country and aboard Navy ships at sea take part in live, interactive classes held on Old Dominion's Norfolk campus.
To find out more about programs offered locally on the campus of Patrick Henry Community College, please contact your local site office by calling (276) 656-0278 or sending an email to ttnphcc@odu.edu.
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