When it comes to getting a good education, students in Starkville have it made. From kindergarten to college, there is no need to go elsewhere to obtain the vital skills needed in and outside of the classroom.
Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District
As one of the largest school districts in Mississippi, the Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District educates close to 5,300 students. With academics that are created to be challenging and fun, scholars grasp concepts needed later on in life and career.
Classrooms are equipped with innovative technology, so students have the resources they need to complete assignments and master 21st century job skills. On top of that, scholars have ample opportunities to participate in hands-on learning experiences in a variety of courses, spanning foreign language, science, math and art.
Pupils can get a jump-start on the jobs they want through courses at Starkville High School and Millsaps Career and Technology Center. Starkville High provides students with 10 advanced placement courses and dual credit/enrollment classes through Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College. The technology center boasts a full range of occupational and technical programs, helping prepare students for high-skill, high-wage careers or further academic pursuits. Moreover, the center offers six two-year programs that allow pupils the opportunity to earn a Career and Technical Education diploma.
Aside from academics, students have the opportunity to partake in various extracurricular activities, including athletics, student newspaper, JROTC, speech and debate teams, thespian club and choir.
Starkville Academy
Starkville Academy is an independent college preparatory school educating students in prekindergarten through 12th grades. Established in 1969, the school’s mission is to provide quality programs in a safe, Christian environment that will challenge students to excel academically, physically, socially, spiritually and culturally.
In addition to employing numerous devices and technological opportunities as part of daily academic instruction, Starkville Academy offers many enriching programs and courses, including STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and Discovery. Starkville Academy also offers a dyslexia therapy program.
To prepare students for admission to a major college or university, course offerings include a variety of dual credit, advanced placement and honors classes. Students may also participate in an abundance of extracurricular clubs and activities, such as National Honor Society, robotics and engineering, anchor club and student council. As a vital part of the extracurricular experience, Starkville Academy offers an array of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, cheer, dance, tennis, track, cross country, archery and swim.
Starkville Christian School
Serving students in prekindergarten through 12th grades, Starkville Christian School administers challenging classes in a faith-based environment. The school’s small class sizes allow students the opportunity to have one-on-one instruction if needed.
Scholars take core subjects, like science, math, history and English, while also being able to take advantage of enrichment courses, such as physical education, Bible and art. Adding to each child’s overall experience, students can participate in extracurricular activities, including softball, basketball, baseball, community service and student council.
The school has continually grown since being founded in 1996. The school recently purchased 5 acres of property to accommodate future growth, after adding additional classrooms, a gymnasium and a cafeteria a few years ago.
Mississippi State University
Since Mississippi State’s beginning in 1878, every accomplishment, every breakthrough, every idea – great or small – has been fueled by an unwavering determination to make a difference.
The university research teams are leading projects with local and global impacts – they’re developing agricultural solutions to solve world hunger, creating more sustainable beaches and barrier islands on the Gulf Coast and formulating better vaccines to combat global influenza, to name just a few.
Mississippi State is also a national hub for cutting-edge aerospace research. In addition to its designation as the FAA’s Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the university leads the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Demonstration Range Facility.
At Mississippi State’s Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, researchers are building the world’s first all-electric, autonomous SUV and working with automotive manufacturers to develop advanced composite materials, batteries and components to power next-generation vehicles.
While focusing on the future, the university is cultivating a deeper appreciation for the past as home of the Ulysses S. Grant Presidential Library and Frank J. and Virginia Williams Collection of Lincolniana. The university is now a leading repository for Civil War era research as well as one of only six universities in the country to host a presidential library.
Information in this article was provided by Starkville Academy, Checky Herrington of Mississippi State University and Sarah Lancaster.