Education
Public Schools
The
Wicomico County Board of Education believes that its schools must
challenge students academically while caring for students' needs.
Thus, its motto: We Challenge! We Care! The county's mission
clearly states a commitment to family, school and community for all
members of the educational system. Board members and staff members
realize that the foundation of a growing and vibrant community
remains the strength of its public school system.
Wicomico County schools receive tremendous support from parents,
business, government and community.
Parent-Teacher associations, parent advisory committees and
volunteers play major roles in supporting the schools and
activities.
Partnerships work effectively with the Salisbury Area Chamber of
Commerce and the Greater Salisbury Committee, each of which have
active education committees. Local businesses "adopt" schools,
providing volunteers, mentors and some
The Wicomico County Council, the local governing body, supports its
schools through increased funding for teachers salaries, textbooks,
computers and special programs.
In support of the "Parent Workshops in the Workplace" program, the
Wicomico County Board of Education provides materials and staffing
to conduct workshops during the workday with participating
businesses providing employee time and incentives for participants.
Improved parenting skills and greater parent involvement
help students build self-esteem and promote success in school.
With a population exceeding 14,000 students, the 24 public schools include 16 elementary, one elementary/middle, three middle, one middle/high, three high, and one alternative school.
Wicomico County
Board of Education
101 Long Avenue
P.O. Box 1538
Salisbury, MD 21802
410-677-4400
(fax) 410-543-4279
Click here for their website
Dr. Charlene Cooper Boston
Superintendent of Schools
|
Highest Education Level |
||
|
of the Population 25 years & older |
||
| Number | % Base | |
| Elementary to 8th grade | 12,976 | 12% |
| Some High School | 19,528 | 19% |
| High School Graduates | 37,578 | 36% |
| Some College1-3 years | 15,187 | 14% |
| Associate Degree | 4,223 | 4% |
| Bachelors Degree | 10,230 | 10% |
| Graduate Degree | 5,136 | 5% |
|
Wicomico County Public Education |
|||
| Schools | Number of Schools | 2002 Enrollment | Grades |
| Elementary | 16 | 7,091 | PK-5 |
| Middle | 4 | 3,071 | 6-8 |
| High School | 4 | 3,931 |
9-12 |
| Special Education | 1,679 | PK-12 | |
| Career & Tech. Ctr. | 898 | 10-12 | |
| Gifted & Talented | 810 | 2-12 | |
|
Wicomico County Public Schools Facts and Figures |
|
| Average Class Size | |
| Elementary |
22 |
| Middle | 25 |
| High School | 27 |
| Attendance Rate | 92.7% |
| Graduation Rate | 98% |
| College Attendance | 72.3% |
| Expenditure per Pupil | $6,592 |
| Capital Investment per Pupil | $9,814 |
| Private Schools | 5, grade PK-5 |
| Parochial/Christian | 12, grade PK-12 |
Private, Christian and Parochial Schools
Wicomico County offers diversity in educational with
a wide range of
private and parochial schools with instruction ranging from
pre-school
through high school.
Salisbury School is a non-sectarian, co-ed independent
college preparatory day school offering a rigorous academic program
for grades pre-k through 12. It maintains high academic and
behavioral standards in a stimulating, safe, and positive
environment where all members of the community are expected to work
to their full potential and be accountable for their actions.
Salisbury Christian School is an evangelical,
interdenominational school
with an elementary and a middle/high school program. While
currently on
two campuses, construction is underway to consolidated campus on
Parker
Road.
St. Francis de Sales Parish School is
centrally located just south
of Salisbury's downtown and provides educational training through
the
eighth grade.
A parochial high school education is offered at
Saints Peter and Paul School in Easton, with express bus
service provided.
Wicomico Day School is a core knowledge school that extends
through the
fifth grade. It also offers learning and fun programs for
infants,
toddlers, and preschoolers. Since opening in 1990, the
Day School has
grown to between 275 to 300 students in full day and part day
programs that
include Spanish, music, art, and physical education.
Top quality day care providers abound in the area and all must be
state
licensed with an approved curriculum. Superb programs to
prepare the young people for school are offered by Fun-Shine
Early Learning Center, The Pumpkin Patch, Wee Watch Day Care,
and Timmons Bell & Slate for early learners. After
school programs are also available.
Supplemental educational services are available from Sylvan
Learning
Centers and Kumon Math and Reading Center in the area for
students who need additional assistance to reach their full
potential.
The Delmarva Education Foundation is an organization working to bring information, analysis and resources to educational issues on the Lower Delmarva Peninsula. Their mission is "...to improve educational opportunities for residents of the Lower Delmarva Peninsula by supporting a regional approach to educational problems through an organization respected for its competence and objectivity."
What is the Delmarva Education
Foundation?
The Delmarva Education Foundation
(DEF) is a framework for the solution of educational problems on a
regional basis. We are located in Salisbury, Maryland, the economic
trading center for the six counties of the Lower Delmarva
Peninsula: Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties in
Maryland; Sussex County, Delaware; and Accomack County, Virginia.
The State Departments of Education serve their own school systems,
be it by county or district. DEF unites all these systems by
crossing state lines and serving these predominately rural counties
as one educational region because those of us in this region have
more in common with each other than our respective state capitals
or urban centers.
The educational entities in these counties include thirteen public school systems (each with a local board of education and superintendent), numerous private schools, seven higher-degree-granting universities, four community colleges, and many other trade, tutoring and continuing education organizations.
Click here for contact information!
The Lower Shore Career Connections Board (LSCC) is a tri-county program funded by the Maryland State Department of Education with funds from the U.S. Department of Labor. The challenge of the Lower Shore Career Connections Board is to prepare high school students for learning and working in a rapidly changing world. One promising strategy being developed is a 'school-to-careers' system which provides workplace experiences. This strategy requires the creation of a broad-based community environment of business and education. The Lower Shore Career Connections Business and Education Partnership Group was created to provide this setting for business leaders and education leaders. The Partnership Group is preparing our youth for a future in the region's workforce or in higher education.
Colleges
Salisbury
University is one of the nation's preeminent four-year
undergraduate institutions. "The Guide to 101 of the Best Values in
America's Colleges and Universities" ranks SU a top choice in the
East with an A-plus rating.
"U.S. News and World Report" ranked Salisbury University among the
top 10 regional public schools in the North. Salisbury University
has an enrollment of approximately 6,400 undergraduate and graduate
students.
With almost 90 percent of more than 200 tenured-track faculty
having achieved doctoral or terminal degrees in their field, its
low student to full-time faculty ratio of 17 to 1 provides a
beneficial learning atmosphere for all students.
At Salisbury University, students may choose from among 35 major programs of study leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Masters programs are also available. SU also has established collaborative programs with several universities including one in electrical engineering with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the University of Maryland College Park. It allows students to get their degrees without having to leave the Eastern Shore. Endowments have enabled SU to remain on the cutting edge of technology and instruction.
Endowed schools include the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology, the Charles R. and Martha N. Fulton School of Liberal Arts and the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies. Also, a million-dollar endowment for academic scholarships by Alan and Patti Guerrieri enables the university to attract stellar students.
Wor-Wic
Community College, founded in 1975, is the only institution
of its kind on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
With a campus in Salisbury and outreach facility in Berlin, Wor-Wic is a comprehensive community college serving the residents of Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties. The college provides quality postsecondary credit programs leading to an associate degree or a certificate of proficiency, as well as documents of completion for community and continuing education courses.
The Lower Shore Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at Wor-Wic is a partnership between area manufacturers, the Lower Shore Manufacturing Network and the Lower Eastern Shore Educational Consortium. The ATC is committed to assisting manufacturers in meeting their workforce development needs through customized training for current employees and the preparation of future workers for new positions in technology-driven manufacturing.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is located less than 15 miles south of Salisbury in Princess Anne. Currently, UMES offers major programs leading to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in 26 disciplines in the arts and sciences, professional studies and agricultural sciences. UMES also offers 14 teaching degree programs and eight pre-professional programs, as well as an honors program designed in cooperation with the University of Maryland Baltimore to prepare students for advanced study.