Bland County Public Schools

Division Profile

History

Bland County spans 359 square miles and has existed since 1861 when it split from neighboring Giles, Wythe, and Tazewell Counties.  The county’s namesake, Richard Bland, was a leader of Colonial Virginia.   With approximately 6,900 residents, Bland keeps the farming tradition alive with agriculture as the top industry in the county.    Almost 78 percent of the county is wooded; moreover, the county includes part of the Jefferson National Forest and a section of the Appalachian Trail.   Interstate 77 runs through the county granting citizens easily accessible routes to neighboring cities and towns.

Approximately 70 percent of Bland residents have a high school diploma and nine percent have a Bachelor’s degree, according to the United States Census Bureau.   The average household income is around $30,000, and the county has 12 percent of the population living below the poverty level.

The county is governed by four elected representatives to the Board of Supervisors and has four magisterial districts.  With elementary and high schools in Rocky Gap and Bland, the county educates approximately 900 students.      

Mission Statement

The Mission of Bland County Schools is to provide a safe and challenging environment

where students will be given the opportunity to learn and acquire skills necessary for a responsible and productive life while developing an appreciation for their community.

Vision of Bland County Schools

Bland County Public Schools will strive to educate young people in every facet of life so that they may serve our society as worthy citizens of the home, school, and community.  Development of the fundamental process of learning, along with ethical character, physical and mental health, and respect for the property of others will be the primary focus of our county’s school system.

Each student should contribute significantly to and benefit from the total school program.  Curricula will be diversified so that any student can satisfactorily complete a program of study, which prepares him or her for a useful and satisfying future.

Instructional objectives will aim to meet the students’ physical, social, and emotional needs.  Teachers will provide stimulating classroom environments, in which constructive learning experiences may take place.  These experiences should be relevant to the students’ lives and should foster attitudes of cooperation and respect among teachers, students, administration, parents, and citizens of the community.

All co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are greatly valued since these provide students with the opportunities to develop creative initiative, special interest, leadership skills, and self-direction.

Each of these pieces fits into our vision for Bland County Public Schools where every student will excel intellectually and personally to find a satisfying role in our democratic society.

Academics

The Virginia Standards of Learning guide Bland County Schools’ curriculum and instruction.  In addition to core subjects, students have the opportunity to take elective classes, such as art and journalism, to broaden their scope of knowledge.  Bland also buses students to career and technical schools in neighboring counties in order to provide a variety of avenues for success.

Special Services

            Bland County acknowledges the diverse needs of all students and strives to help all students reach their potential.  Students may enrich their education through the Gifted and Talented program, online advanced placement classes, Governor’s School, and dual enrollment English and Calculus offered in conjunction with Wytheville Community College. 

            Numerous programs are available to meet the individual and varied needs of exceptional children in Bland County.  Preschool children are served in the home and/or at the preschool by teachers who are trained to teach children with special needs.  Although most students with disabilities are served within the school system, some students may be served by individual programs which may involve regional projects, state facilities, private schools, or other arrangements. 

Assessment

            Educators in Bland recognize the need for students’ success in and out of the classroom.  In order to assess students’ achievement according to standards put forth by the Virginia Department of Education and the No Child Left Behind Act, at least 70 percent of students must pass the SOL tests in math, science, social studies, and English.  At the elementary level, 75 percent of students must pass English tests and 70 percent must pass math, science, and history. In addition to the usual classroom assessment strategies, teachers use sample SOL tests and tests similar to the SOL to help assess students’ progress.

Extracurricular Activities

            Students have the opportunity to engage in many extracurricular sports, clubs, and organizations that add to their educational pursuits.  Educators in Bland County understand the valuable skills and lessons these opportunities offer students outside of the classroom.  Students are active in such sports as football, basketball, and tennis, as well as in clubs such as the National Beta Club, Forensics, Future Business Leaders of America, MACC and Future Farmers of America.

Support Services

            Bland County considers school safety and students’ health and nutrition a vital responsibility.  Students can count on a safe and comfortable ride to and from school and extracurricular events on the county’s buses.  Also, students and faculty are offered a healthy and tasty breakfast and lunch that meet nutritional requirements set forth by the federal government. The schools also employ resource officers to ensure the safety and security of everyone at school.

Technology and Communication

            The Bland County School Board emphasizes the important role that technology plays in education.  The Board approved the purchase of a laptop for every teacher, along with Smart Boards, LCD projectors, and a mobile lab.  The schools are also able to actively participate in State and Federal Electronic/Web Conferencing. Schools will also soon have wireless internet.

Administrators and faculty use electronic mail to communicate with each other, parents, and the community.  Students publish newspapers and yearbooks to share school information and interests, and the local media often publish stories about school happenings.

Survey Results

In order to have research-based data to help in the school improvement process, Bland Schools distributed surveys to students, parents, teachers, and community members to access effective qualities in the school and acknowledge areas that need to be improved.

Parent and Community Results

A substantial majority of parents and community members feel that Bland schools (both elementary and high schools) are effective in the areas of instructional program, support for student learning, climate of the school, parent and school relationships, and resource management.  The areas that elementary parents and community members feel need improvement are security measures, substance abuse, and bullying.

Areas in which high school parents see a need for improvement are increased learning opportunities that support the diversity of student abilities, increased security measures at the schools, substance abuse, and bullying.  The surveys also revealed that parents would like their opinions considered when important school decisions are made.

Student Results

A substantial majority of students feel that Bland schools (both elementary and high  schools) are effective in the areas of instructional program, support for student learning, climate of the school, student and school relationships, and resource management.  Elementary students would like to see an improvement in the following areas:  amount of homework assigned, school rules applied equally to all students, substance abuse, and bullying.   Elementary students would also like to help plan school activities and have their opinions considered when important school decisions are made.

High School students would like to see more action taken to curb substance abuse as well as involve the students in important school decisions.  The secondary students also reported that they would like to see more of a relationship between what they are studying and their everyday lives as well as a reduction in homework.

Teacher Results

Teachers in all county schools reported satisfaction in the areas of instructional program, support for student learning, climate of the school, teacher and school relationships, and resource management. 

Student Demographic Data

 Total Membership

Membership by Grade

Students Receiving Free or Reduced Lunch

Eligible Gifted Students

Students with Special Needs

Graduation Rate and Types of Diplomas

Teacher and Administrator Demographics

Teachers by Level:   

 Elementary                    45.5

Secondary                    31.5

Librarian                           2

Guidance Counselor        2

Teachers with Advanced Degrees: 19

Teachers working toward National Board Certification:  1

Administrators by Level: 

Elementary     2

Secondary      2

Number of Support Personnel:   40

Instructional Aides and Paraprofessionals:  15

Budget and Financial Resources