The Virginia Department of Historic Resources to Present Programs That Support Historic Preservation and Recognition of Southside Va.’s History and Historic Resources
Staff of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources will discuss programs and tools for preserving sites and buildings during the afternoon of Oct. 24 at the Colonial Center for the Performing Arts in Town of South Hill—
For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2lTvH2v
Awards
Standard & Poor's identified Mecklenburg County Public School District as an "Outperforming School District." Only 16 of the 132 school districts analyzed in Virginia received this rating. To be designated as such, the school districts must achieve higher levels of student proficiency than peers, perform at a level that significantly exceeds statistical expectation, and outperform consistently.
Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools: These schools represent exemplary achievements and contributions to ensure successful educational experiences for all children. Mecklenburg County is home to two such schools, Buckhorn Elementary and Chase City Elementary.
Distinguished Title 1 Schools - National & Statewide Award:
2010: Buckhorn Elementary School was named a "Title 1 Distinguished School" by the Virginia Board of Education
2010: Mecklenburg County Public Schools designated a "Distinguished Title I School Division" by exceeding all NCLB achievement objectives in reading and mathematics for two consecutive years
2009: Chase City Elementary School was named a "National Title 1 Distinguished School"
2008: Five Mecklenburg County Elementary Schools were named "Title 1 Distinguished Schools" by the Virginia Board of Education
Other Awards
2009: Governor's Award of Excellence given to Bluestone Middle, Boydton Elementary, Buckhorn Elementary, Clarksville Elementary and South Hill Elementary
2008: Seven Mecklenburg County Schools were recipients of the Virginia Board of Education's "VIP Competence to Education Award". The award is based on the percentage of students achieving an advanced level on SOL tests.
2008: Park View High School was named one of the "Best High Schools in America" by U.S. News and World Report.
SOL Scores
These SOL scores were obtained from the Virginia Department of Education's School Division Report Cards dated December 13, 2010: (coming soon)
Dropout Data
(coming soon)
Southside Virginia Community College
SVCC has three main campuses in or near the region. One campus is in Alberta (Brunswick County). SVCC has two satellite facilities in Mecklenburg County and one in Halifax County. SVCC facilities offer vocational and technical training, customized industrial training, and Associate degrees in a wide variety of programs.
Longwood University
Longwood University, located in nearby Farmville, Virginia, offers over 100 undergraduate, graduate, and minor programs and has been recognized by USA Today and U.S. News and World Report for its level of education. It is listed in Forbes' America's Best Colleges List of 2010. Many classes can also be taken at the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center in South Boston, Virginia.
Workforce Training
Lake Country Advanced Knowledge Center
This center specializes in training designed to address the needs of existing industry sectors such as textiles, woodworking, and plastics. Facilities include a manufacturing training center that provides instruction in MIG welding, tool & die, metal fabrication, machining, millwright training, pipe fitter training, electrical, etc. The High Performance Technology program offers instruction and training in areas including automation and material handling, design, electricity, electronics, quality, manufacturing systems, mechanical processes, and HVAC. The center offers Distance Education, University Parallel curriculum, and teacher re-certification classes. Career planning, workshops, and seminars for business, industry, and professionals are available. The center provides affordable degree and non-degree programs and workforce training opportunities.
Estes Community Center
This center in Chase City offers specialized training in the medical field, beginning and advanced computer classes, and classes for children during summer (including Sign Language & Reading, Computers, Music, Spanish, Exercise Classes, and Nature & Safety). The center provides after-school program provides assistance with study and homework for children in grades 2 through 5.
Southern Virginia Higher Education Center
The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (SVHEC) is advancing Southern Virginia economically, culturally, and socially by providing citizens with affordable, accessible educational opportunities through partnerships and regional cooperation. The SVHEC is partnered with nine educational institutions to offer Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate degrees in Halifax County. Nursing, business, digital art & design, product design & development, education, and engineering are just a few of the more than 70 certificate and degree programs available at the SVHEC. The SVHEC serves more than 4,000 students from 16 counties and 4 cities, including high school dual enrollment students in its signature Business of Art & Design program.
SPDC Localities
Southside Planning District is comprised of three Counties (Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg) that, depending on who you ask, either make up the area known as Southside Virginia, or at least a major part of it. Another nickname frequently used in the area is that of Lake Country, which pays tribute to the several large lakes that play a vital role in the economic development of the region.
There are eleven towns in the District, and many more small communities. Download Local Officials Directory 2011.
Brunswick County - towns of Alberta, Brodnax (partially in Mecklenburg Co.), Lawrenceville
Halifax County - towns of Halifax, Scottsburg, South Boston, Virgilina
Mecklenburg County - towns of Boydton, Brodnax (partially in Brunswick Co.), Chase City, Clarksville, South Hill
Industry & Transportation
The area is home to an impressive array of industries and companies, including the Peebles Corporate Headquarters, ABB, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Faneuil, and Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation. There are a multitude of industrial parks in the area that have all the infrastructure needed for new industry, including broadband fiber.
Clover Power Plant, consisting of two 465 megawatt units, is considered to be one of the cleanest coal-fired plants in the country. Novec Energy operates a 49.95 megawatt “green” biomass power plant in South Boston.
The District transportation system includes Interstates and major US Highways (I-85, US 1, US 58, US 15, US 360), rail (Norfolk Southern, Buckingham Branch shortline, and the future High Speed Rail project), airports, and proximity to shipping ports.
Education
Southside Planning District, home to several colleges, places an emphasis on employer-driven workforce training programs that ensure that our workforce meets the needs of current and prospective employers. Click here for more information on education in the district.
