Blue Ribbon Schools for Excellence
Thomas County School System
The Thomas County School System, home of the Yellow Jackets, is committed to excellence. Through the dedication of an elected seven-member board, the superintendent and teamwork of all faculty and staff members, superiority is present at the system’s schools.
With six schools, challenging academics, strong vocational training, innovative reading and writing programs, a comprehensive special education curriculum, a Business Education Exchange initiative and a special purpose tax for facility improvements, the system offers first-class educational opportunities to more than 5,500 students.
Frequently distinguished for excellence, the system was most recently recognized by GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management Association) for implementing a superior disaster preparedness plan. Garrison-Pilcher was named a Title 1 Distinguished School by the Georgia Department of Education after five consecutive years of meeting adequate yearly progress. Thomas County Central High School (accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) has earned recognition in several areas – from academics to sports. The band and chorus were rated superior in performance and sight reading, the literary team has taken regional honors. The Yellow Jacket football team dominated the 1990s with five State Championship titles, and continues to be a strong contender in regional and state competition.
The Bishop Hall Charter School was established in 1999 by the county and city school systems to offer students a curriculum that responds to their needs through small group instruction as well as individualized attention. The charter school has already exceeded the system’s expectations.
Students aren’t the only ones who have earned honor and distinction for the system. Bishop Hall instructor Douglas J. Haydel was selected as one of the top 10 semifinalists for the 2005 Georgia Teacher of the Year.
The BEE (Business Education Exchange) has also contributed to putting Thomas County schools in a class of their own. BEE has successfully built relationships between the schools and area businesses. The program currently has over 300 partners. The collaborative partnership is designed to impact the development of the future workforce as well as provide opportunities for community service. The six areas of focus include achievement, attendance, work ethics, communication, career awareness and strengthening the link between schools and community. In all aspects of the BEE program, students reap the most rewards.
Over the last five years, the graduation rates for the Thomas County School System have continued to increase. In 2003, Thomas County Central had a graduation rate of nearly 85 percent, and Bishop Hall Charter School’s graduation rate was in the 90 percent range – well above the state average.
Additional information regarding the system, links to each school, curriculum, nutrition, facilities, the school calendar, recent editions of The Buzz newsletter and much more can be accessed at www.thomas.k12.ga.us.
Thomasville City Schools
The Thomasville City School System provides innovative and strategically planned instruction to more than 3,000 students through six outstanding schools, including one pre-kindergarten school, three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.
Balfour School for Young Children is a model preschool for four-year – olds. The three elementary schools serve students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Thomasville elementary schools are the only SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) accredited elementary schools in the community.
MacIntyre Park Middle School serves sixth through eighth grades, and offers extracurricular programs - including Beta Club, a Science Academy, band and chorus. Thomasville High School’s comprehensive academic program provides vocational and college-preparatory instruction to ninth- through twelfth-grade students. Course offerings extend from vocational courses (such as welding, nursing, construction and technology) to college preparatory courses (such as advanced-placement English, biology, history and calculus). Post-secondary options are also available to eligible high school students. Middle and high school students who need a smaller, more structured environment for success participate in the Dunlap Educational Learning Center.
The award-winning literary, music and athletic programs of Thomasville City Schools provide extracurricular activities to many students. Students may participate in award-winning band programs from fifth to twelfth grades. Small class sizes at every level provide greater opportunities for teachers to address individual student needs. Students with disabilities are actively involved in the regular education curriculum with support to ensure that they are receiving quality instruction. The student services department provides support to students and their families through individual casework, group work and external agency collaboration(s).
Building and nurturing a community of learners is accomplished through the recruitment and retention of outstanding educators. Education is central to providing teachers with the research-based skills that guarantee students the very best learning opportunities available anywhere.
Private Schools
Brookwood school
Brookwood School, located on 25 acres, offers a superior educational experience that encourages each student to develop good character, as well as good grades. A coed independent school that offers pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, Brookwood was founded in 1970 by parents who – in their own words – “dreamed of a fine school for boys and girls where they could get the best education possible in bright classrooms with a limited number of students and the best equipment.”
Today, Brookwood flourishes with an enrollment of 430 students in Lower School, Middle School and Upper School. About 20 percent of Brookwood’s current students are the second generation of their family to attend the school. Half of the faculty have children enrolled at the school, and about a third of families have more than one child enrolled.
Brookwood’s core values are wisdom, honor, achievement and citizenship, while striving to motivate all students to reach their potential and to do their best.
As a college preparatory school, Brookwood focuses on preparing its students to be successful in college courses, not just to be successful in gaining admission. As testimony to its program, 75 percent of Brookwood’s students who have HOPE scholarships as freshmen are eligible to retain the scholarships in their sophomore year (demonstrated over a five-year period).
Brookwood offers all its students opportunities to develop their artistic and performing talents. About one-quarter of the entire student body participates in the school musical each year. Brookwood drama students have won the State One-Act competition two years in a row. The school has also had a number of state-level winners in the Literary Competition each year.
Athletics play an important role in the Brookwood approach to education. Students are offered a wide range of sports, and they take advantage of the opportunities to participate. The school’s baseball team won back-to-back state championships in 2003 and 2004. All of the seven seniors on the championship team will play at the intercollegiate level (five in baseball and two in football).
Brookwood School offers parents excellent quality for a relatively low tuition because the Board of Directors has always sought to make the school accessible to families who seek a superior education for their children. Strong support from the community has built an endowment that enables Brookwood to make educational decisions based on quality.
Favor Christian Academy
Favor Christian Academy believes in the limitless potential of every young person. The school’s vision is to be an effective partner with the family by creating a safe and challenging environment as the child grows in their walk with Christ. The Academy offers excellence in academics and in religious training to grades K-2 thru 8th. The school uses A Beka Curriculum. There is also an emphasis on the arts and other programs including piano, drama and dance. The school also has an on campus residence and welcomes out of town students.
Thomasville Christian School
Thomasville Christian School is dedicated to academic excellence, and all subjects are taught with a basis on clear biblical principles. What makes Thomasville Christian unique? Educating the whole child by creating an environment for a student to develop Christian character to the best of his or her ability. Most of the subjects are taught with a multisensory approach to accommodate different learning styles. The maximum number of students per class is 15. The school’s long range plans include adding a grade each year through eighth grade. The school is open to Christian families of all denominations who want a Christ-centered, biblically-based education for their children.
Education at the Speed of Life
Southwest Georgia Technical College
“We’ve had a great relationship for many years with Southwest Georgia Technical College,” remarks Mr. Ken Beverly, President of Archbold Medical Center. This sentiment is shared by many businesses throughout Thomas, Grady and Mitchell Counties. The reason is simple – Southwest Georgia Technical College (SWGTC) has a reputation for providing area businesses with highly skilled graduates who are ready to work on the latest equipment. Industries rely on Southwest Georgia Technical College to produce the employees their businesses depend upon.
“We position our programs and classes to offer what our businesses need at times convenient for our students,” explains SWGTC President Dr. Freida H. Hill. “It is a win-win situation for our community and our students alike.”
Over 72 diploma, certificate and degree programs are offered in allied health, business and computer technology, technical and industrial, and personal services. The College offers a wide variety of program options – including criminal justice, welding and joining, nursing, and administrative office technology.
Students just finishing their high school careers will receive quality education and training at Southwest Georgia Technical College without sacrificing the college experience. Individuals with changing career goals will also find exactly what they need. Programs and classes serve students well as they make plans to further their career ambitions.
SWGTC also offers a solution for busy students with online classes. Students can meet many of the requirements for their program of study conveniently and easily by taking classes online. Quality education that is convenient and flexible is just another way of providing options for education to students.
Once students have graduated and secured employment with area businesses, the service from SWGTC does not end. The College is the continuing education provider of choice for the area, and provides individuals and businesses with the opportunity to obtain advanced training.
Higher Education
Thomas University
Founded in 1950, Thomas University distinguishes itself as a fully accredited, nonprofit institution with an academic emphasis on professional career development and noted programs in business, education, criminal justice, and health and human services. Twenty-eight undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered.
The university serves some 800 traditional and nontraditional students in a diverse, multi-cultural environment. Students learn in small classes. Our faculty members are dedicated
to the success of their students, and teach classes while remaining active in scholarship and research. Flexible class schedules and online courses are available.
Their motto is “Student success is our business,” and education program graduates experience 100 percent job placement. Thomas University also provides a diverse range of student activities – including honor societies, campus clubs, student organizations and intramural sports. Intercollegiate athletics include baseball, soccer, softball, tennis and golf. Safe and attractive residence halls are available.
Thomas County Public Library System
Our libraries meet community needs... Thomas County has every reason to be proud of its public library system. Begun as early as 1860 as the Young Men’s Debating Club, it has evolved into the #1 library per capita in circulation in the state of Georgia. Our citizens read an average of 15 books per person compared to the national average of 6 books per person.
The Thomas County Public Library System is a unique educational and social resource for this community. It consists of the headquarters library in Thomasville and five neighborhood libraries, in Boston, Coolidge, Meigs, Ochlocknee and Pavo.
Resources...Available for checkout are a wide variety of books, large print books, videos, books on tape and CD, music CD’s and DVD’s. Reference materials are available in many subjects and also include national, state and local newspapers and magazines for every age group. Further, we can borrow books on Interlibrary Loan from other libraries.
Services...The library’s services are available to all community residents from pre-K through seniors.
Every library has computers for public use, free computer classes for seniors, adults and children, Internet accessibility, and the premier Georgia databases encompassed in GALILEO.
Children’s programs are ongoing throughout the year. When school is in session, classes visit the library daily to introduce the youngsters to the scope and diversity of library offerings and to encourage them to want to become “readers for pleasure.” Preschoolers and toddlers enjoy story times weekly. During the summer, there are a wide variety of special activities, including a featured Vacation Reading Program and numerous live performers. Throughout the year, the library introduces special storytellers, magicians, puppeteers and sets up special educational exhibitions.
A meeting place is available in the Henry O. Flipper Room for non-profit meetings, conferences, author’s readings, special programs and displays. This attractive setting can be rearranged to accommodate up to 80 persons to meet the specific requirements of the presenters and their audience. The Flipper Room was named for a Thomasville native who was the first black graduate of West Point.
An informal university...Many residents call the Thomas County Public Library System the “People’s University” because of its many offerings and services for people of all ages who reside in or work in Thomas County.
