Education is a vital part of a growing, productive community and in Jefferson County education is woven into the fabric of every day life. Represented by a variety of school districts, Jefferson County schools include three pre-K-12 unit districts, one 9-12 high school, 10 K-8 grade school districts, one Pre-K-8 school, one parochial pre-K-4, and three K-12 parochial schools.
Mt. Vernon, the largest city in the county, features a newly constructed state-of-the-art high school with a campus that features quality use of technology, up-to-date science labs, a fully programmed Career and Technical Educational Department, a professional level performance theatre and expansive athletic facilities. Students from 11 different grade schools feed into Mt. Vernon Township High School.
One of those feeder schools, Mt. Vernon City Schools, provides a challenging educational program by serving students at the Dr. Andy Hall Early Childhood Center, the Dr. Nick Osborne Primary Center, the J. L. Buford Intermediate Education Center and the Zadok Casey Middle School. Mt. Vernon City Schools have become technology leaders in education by assigning computers to every third through eighth grade student.
Several other K-8 grade feeder schools cover the Jefferson County countryside and each school is strongly supported by their community. The schools’ athletic programs, music programs, and parent-teacher organizations help support a strong academic environment and keep the members of the community involved in school events.
The villages of Bluford, Waltonville and Woodlawn are Pre-K-12 districts. These communities boast of their challenging academic programs, and they thrive in the high involvement of the parents and community members in their schools. These schools highlight a unique learning experience with small class sizes and increased student-teacher relationships.
Parochial schools in Jefferson County include Coram Deo Classical School, St. Mary’s Parochial School and Victory Christian Academy and Mt. Vernon Christian School.
All the Jefferson County high schools are heavily supported by the local junior college, Rend Lake College. Students may receive dual-credit (high school and college credit) for some classes at their high school to aid in college preparations and cost savings. Rend Lake offers more than 100 distinct associate degrees as well as occupational certificate programs. Their programs provide high quality instruction at a fraction of the cost of a four-year university. Rend Lake College has been recognized for outstanding service to its community.
Jefferson County is served by the Clinton-Jefferson-Marion-Washington Counties Regional Office of Education. For questions or additional information about area schools, visit the ROE website at www.roe13.org.