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Granite Falls Middle School. An Inquiry by Christina Byerly, Lynn Potter, Sherry Prewitt, Kathleen McKee-Braswell, Michael Welge, Jay McCarraher CI 3900 Appalachian State University Fall 2009. The Culture of Their Community and School.
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Granite Falls Middle School An Inquiry by Christina Byerly, Lynn Potter, Sherry Prewitt, Kathleen McKee-Braswell, Michael Welge, Jay McCarraher CI 3900 Appalachian State University Fall 2009
The Culture of Their Community and School
Community Demographics - 2000 Census General Characteristics: Total population: 4,612 Male: 2,177 Female: 2,435 Under 5 years: 321 18 - 65 years: 3,485 65 years and older: 690 Caucasian: 4,246 Black or African American: 108 Hispanic: 20 Asian: 18 American Indian and Alaska Native: 8 Average household size: 2.53 Speak a language other than English at home: 320
Economy Regional: Among the top 200 US metro areas, the Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton MSA ranks 191st. The Milken Institute's rankings (http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/bestcities2008.taf) are based on job growth, wages/salary growth, high tech job growth, high tech GDP. County: Among the 3141 US counties, Caldwell County ranks at the bottom in educational achievement, average wages, per capita income, and poverty. Adults 25+ w/ HS Diploma - 66% RANK - 2,752nd Adults 25+ w/Bachelors Degree - 10.4% RANK - 2577th Employed in manufacturing - 26% RANK - 330th Average manufacturing wage - $30k RANK - 2316th 56% of the private workforce is employed in manufacturing (http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/usprofiles/37/us_over_sub_pr37027.html)
Economy cont. City: - Largest private employers include Walmart, Neptco, PREGIS, and Jordon-Holmon Lumber Company. - 10% of housholds are headed by a single parent. - 72 families and 361 individuals are living below the poverty level.
Politics - In the 2008 general election, 66% of registered voters in Granite Falls voted. - The county votes overwhelmingly for Republican candidates. - 56% of voters submitted a straight party, Republican ballot. ** A Democrat has not represented the NC 10th congressional district since 1969. ** Only 3 different representatives have been elected in the last 40 years. http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Caldwell/7954/14072/en/vt.html
Housing Single-family owned occupied homes: 1,019 Median value: $94,500 As of Monday, Nov 23rd, there are 242 homes on the market with a median price of $129, 900. There are also 30 homes in foreclosure with a median price of $76,100. http://realestate.yahoo.com/North_Carolina/Granite_Falls factfinder.census.gov (2000)
Other Religions 13% Religion United Methodist (11%) Southern Baptist (76%) Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Granite-Falls-North-Carolina.html#ixzz0WQ7tyrDh
Education.... Of the 3,132 Granite Falls residents aged 25 years and older; 2,115 (73.5%) are high school graduates. Just 422 (12.5%) of the 3,132 residents hold a Bachelors degree or higher. The attendance rate for GFMS was 95% for the 2007-2008 school year! This is comparable to the state average. NC Dept. of Public Instruction, 2007-2008 Hmmm... Could high attendance rates be a sign of future increased graduation rates?
School Demographics What kind of students make up GFMS? Total student enrollment: 709 Gender: Male - 51%, Female - 49% Ethnicity: White: 94% Hispanic: 3% Black: 2% Asian/Pacific Islander: <1% Student Economic Level: Eligible for free/reduced lunch: 36%
What's Going On In the Classroom? Student-teacher ratio: 17 100% of teaching staff is fully certified! 44% of teaching staff hold a Masters Degree or higher! There are 8 National Board Certified teachers. How many years of experience do the teachers have? 0-3 years: 4% 4-10 years: 36% 11+ years: 60% Teacher turnover rate: 9%
How Good Are Their Scores? Designated as a School of Distinction, High Growth 2008-09 2008 ABCs EOG Test Scores 6th grade reading: 73.8% at/above grade level 6th grade math: 80.3% at/above grade level State scores: reading - 71.0%, math - 78.1% 7th grade reading: 76.7% at/above grade level 7th grade math: 84.1% at/above grade level State scores: reading - 65.0%, math - 78.4% 8th grade reading: 84.1% at/above grade level 8th grade math: 92.3% at/above grade level State scores: reading - 66.6%, math - 80.4% Information obtained from: NC School Report Cards
Recreation and Leisure Shuford Recreation Center Lakeside Park Granada Farms Golf Course Tough Enough Rodeo Sims Country BBQ and Cloggers
Schools Challenges • Keeping the community and school in touch (involved) with each other • Parents are not always equipped to give their kids the necessary skills, guidance, and encouragement Programs • CIS (Communities in Schools) • School Structured Sports • School Music Programs (Band/Chorus) • Clubs (FCA, Battle of the Books, Student Council, Girls on Track, etc.) • PTA • School Social Workers/Psychologists • School Counselors • Recreation Department • Optimist Club