Granite Falls Middle School An Inquiry by Christina Byerly, Lynn Potter, Sherry Prewitt, Kathleen McKee-Braswell, Michael Welge, Jay McCarraher CI 3900 Appalachian State University Fall 2009 The Culture of Their Community and School Community Demographics Census General Characteristics: Total population: 4,612 Male: 2,177 Female: 2,435 Under 5 years: years: 3, years and older: 690 Caucasian: 4,246 Black or African American: 108 Hispanic: 20 Asian: 18 American Indian and Alaska Native: 8 Average household size: 2.53 Speak a language other than English at home: 320 Economy Regional: Among the top 200 US metro areas, the Hickory/Lenoir/Morganton MSA ranks 191st. The Milken Institute's rankings (http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/bestcities2008.taf)http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/bestcities2008.taf are based on job growth, wages/salary growth, high tech job growth, high tech GDP. County: Among the 3141 US counties, Caldwell County ranks at the bottom in educational achievement, average wages, per capita income, and poverty. Adults 25+ w/ HS Diploma - 66% RANK - 2,752nd Adults 25+ w/Bachelors Degree % RANK th Employed in manufacturing - 26% RANK - 330th Average manufacturing wage - $30k RANK th 56% of the private workforce is employed in manufacturing (http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/usprofiles/37/us_over_sub_pr37027.html)http://www.stats.indiana.edu/uspr/a/usprofiles/37/us_over_sub_pr37027.html Economy cont. City: - Largest private employers include Walmart, Neptco, PREGIS, and Jordon-Holmon Lumber Company. - 10% of housholds are headed by a single parent families and 361 individuals are living below the poverty level. Politics - In the 2008 general election, 66% of registered voters in Granite Falls voted. - The county votes overwhelmingly for Republican candidates. - 56% of voters submitted a straight party, Republican ballot. ** A Democrat has not represented the NC 10th congressional district since ** Only 3 different representatives have been elected in the last 40 years. Housing Single-family owned occupied homes: 1,019 Median value: $94,500 As of Monday, Nov 23rd, there are 242 homes on the market with a median price of $129, 900. There are also 30 homes in foreclosure with a median price of $76,100.factfinder.census.gov (2000) Religion Southern Baptist (76%) United Methodist (11%) Other Religions 13% Source: Jones, Dale E., et al Congregations and Membership in the United States Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Read more: Education.... Of the 3,132 Granite Falls residents aged 25 years and older; 2,115 (73.5%) are high school graduates. Just 422 (12.5%) of the 3,132 residents hold a Bachelors degree or higher. The attendance rate for GFMS was 95% for the school year! This is comparable to the state average. NC Dept. of Public Instruction, Hmmm... Could high attendance rates be a sign of future increased graduation rates? School Demographics What kind of students make up GFMS? Total student enrollment: 709 Gender: Male - 51%, Female - 49% Ethnicity: White: 94% Hispanic: 3% Black: 2% Asian/Pacific Islander: