Educational Excellence
Bay City Independent School District
“Your Hometown School District with Big-city Opportunities”
Bay City Independent School District believes in educating the whole child through a variety of academic, career and technological opportunities in a safe, disciplined and nurturing environment. Its goal is to prepare students to excel in our modern society. Covering 158 square miles within Matagorda County, the district serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in three elementary schools, two middle schools, one junior high school and a state-of-the-art high school.The district is a 4A district serving an average of 4,000 students.
Academic excellence – High school advanced placement and dual credit courses, SAT and ACT prep classes; earn high school credits in junior high; second through 12th grade honors/advanced/gifted and talented; AVID college prep program; and Bay City Scholars.
State and national recognition – in academics, drama, career and technology and speech.
Beyond the classroom – career, technology, pharmaceutical, health science technology, agricultural science, vocational tech lab, mechanics, building trades, industrial arts, cosmetology, welding, drafting, technology systems, tutorials and alternative educational programs, bilingual/English as a Second Language, Matagorda County Educational Services for special needs.
Extracurricular opportunities – UIL Competition, Key, chess, art and Spanish clubs; dance; cheer; Flag Corp; FFA; athletics; yearbook; Interact; HOSA; speech; drama; student council; FCA; band; choir; Crimestoppers; and DECA.
Community in our schools – CARES, mentors, PTO and booster clubs
For additional information about Bay City Independent School District, visit www.bcblackcats.net. Use the link on the home page to visit the Texas Education Agency site for accountability reports. To
share your thoughts or learn more, call Superintendent Keith Brown at (979) 245-5766 or email keith.brown@bcblackcats.net.
Van Vleck Independent School District
A TEA recognized district
Home of Champions! Van Vleck Independent School District students and faculty strive for excellence in scholarship, honor, integrity, pride and sportsmanship. The district, through a solidified partnership with the community, innovatively challenges each student to achieve their maximum potential and success in a positive, safe and stimulating environment.
Located six miles east of Bay City, the district covers 657 square miles within Matagorda County serving Ashwood, Cedar Lake, Cedar Lane, Sargent, Sugar Valley and Van Vleck. Campuses include Vleck Elementary, an Exemplary rated school; E. Rudd Intermediate, an Exemplary rated school; O.H. Herman Middle School, a Recognized school; and Van Vleck High School, a Recognized school.
Students have access to several opportunities for higher education experiences and cutting-edge technology in core and elective areas. Van Vleck Independent School District is a state-ranked 2A school in many of its extracurricular areas including UIL academics, FFA, drama, athletics and band. The district has excellent parental involvement, partnerships with local businesses and industry, and has 100 percent graduation completion rate.
For additional information, call Superintendent John R. O’Brienat (979) 323-5000 or e-mail jobrien@vvisd.org.
Wharton County Junior College
Wharton County Junior College offers an extensive array of educational programs including Associate of Applied Science degrees, an Associate of Arts degree, an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree, certificate and certification programs, continuing education programs and workforce development programs. The college’s main campus is in Wharton, with additional campuses in Bay City, Richmond and Sugar Land.
Its Bay City campus, conveniently located at 4000 Ave. F, is housed in the Center for Energy Development. This campus plays a key role in serving industries in Matagorda County and surrounding areas by training students in process technology and nuclear power technology. The college offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree in both disciplines, as well as an enhanced skills certificate in nuclear power technology. Industrial labs with state-of-the-art equipment enable students to train on the same equipment used at area plants.
Students at the Bay City campus can take core and transfer courses in math, science, English, history and other disciplines. Two interactive labs link students with other Wharton campuses and instructors to further expand course offerings.
With affordable tuition and smaller classes, students embarking on a postsecondary education can “Start Smart” at Wharton County Junior College and experience significant cost savings over four-year public universities. Yearly tuition and fees are roughly 25 percent of those at four-year universities in Texas. High school students can take advantage of these savings by enrolling in dual credit courses to simultaneously earn both high school and college credits, thereby reducing the time required to complete a college degree.
For additional information, visit www.wcjc.edu.