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 - 2000 CensusGeneral Characteristics: Total population: 4,612                          Male: 2,177                                  Female: 2,435                                                                   Under 5 years: 321                               18 - 65 years: 3,485 65 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) 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 - 2,752ndAdults 25+ w/Bachelors Degree - 10.4%                       RANK - 2577th Employed in manufacturing - 26%                                 RANK - 330thAverage manufacturing wage - $30k                              RANK - 2316th 56% of the private workforce is employed in manufacturing (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. - 72 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 1969.   ** Only 3 different representatives have been elected in the last 40 years.        http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Caldwell/7954/14072/en/vt.html

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.          http://realestate.yahoo.com/North_Carolina/Granite_Falls        factfinder.census.gov (2000)                                        

  

Religion

Southern Baptist (76%)

United Methodist (11%)

Other Religions 13%

Source: Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Granite-Falls-North-Carolina.html#ixzz0WQ7tyrDh

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 2007-2008 school year! This is comparable to the state average.

NC Dept. of Public Instruction, 2007-2008  Hmmm... Could high attendance rates be a sign of future increased graduation rates?    

School DemographicsWhat 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: <1% Student Economic Level:     Eligible for free/reduced lunch: 36%  

What's Going On In the Classroom?

Student-teacher ratio: 17 100% of teaching staff is fully certified! 44% of teaching staff hold a Masters Degree or higher!There are 8 National Board Certified teachers.   How many years of experience do the teachers have?       0-3 years: 4%                                   4-10 years: 36%                                       11+ years: 60% Teacher turnover rate: 9%

How Good Are Their Scores?     Designated as a School of Distinction, High Growth 2008-09

              2008 ABCs EOG Test Scores 6th grade reading: 73.8% at/above grade level6th grade math: 80.3% at/above grade level    State scores: reading - 71.0%, math - 78.1% 7th grade reading: 76.7% at/above grade level7th grade math: 84.1% at/above grade level    State scores: reading - 65.0%, math - 78.4%  8th grade reading: 84.1% at/above grade level8th grade math: 92.3% at/above grade level    State scores: reading - 66.6%, math - 80.4%  Information obtained from: NC School Report Cards

Recreation and Leisure

 Shuford Recreation Center Lakeside Park

Granada Farms Golf Course

Sims Country BBQ and Cloggers Tough Enough Rodeo

Schools

Challenges• Keeping the community and school in touch (involved) with each other• Parents are not always equipped to give their kids the necessary skills,

guidance, and encouragement 

Programs• CIS (Communities in Schools)• School Structured Sports• School Music Programs (Band/Chorus)• Clubs (FCA, Battle of the Books, Student Council, Girls on Track, etc.)• PTA• School Social Workers/Psychologists• School Counselors• Recreation Department • Optimist Club

The Culture of their Daily Lives

Conclusion, Question / Answer Time…