Conway Public Schools
http://www.conwayschools.org/
With more than 9,200 students, Conway Public School District is the eighth largest in Arkansas. The district has 15 schools, including one high school on two campuses, two middle schools, two intermediate schools, nine elementary schools and a preschool program.
Conway Public Schools anticipates big changes in the year 2012, including the construction of a new elementary school and the reconstruction of Conway High School-West. A millage increase approved by Conway voters in September 2010 is financing both projects.
“Student growth and general population growth in Conway have created a need for a new high school building and a new elementary school,” said Dr. Greg Murry, superintendent of Conway Public Schools. “We’re pleased that Conway voters made this possible.”
Superintendent Murry said that the reconstruction of Conway High School-West could be considered “the most significant project the district has undertaken,” as the current building was built in 1968 as the result of a federal grant.
The $40 million reconstruction project will be completed in two phases. The first phase involves the construction of a three-story classroom building and is projected to be completed in July 2012. Phase two includes the construction of a new cafeteria, the demolition of the current building, and the addition of walkways to connect all buildings on the campus. This phase has a scheduled completion date of July 2013.
Other recent district accomplishments and upcoming projects include the following:
- In the Conway High School Class of 2011, 38 students graduated with highest honors; 13 students were National Merit Scholars; 29 students were recognized during Conway Academic Signing Day for receiving the top scholarship offered at the college they will attend; and four graduates enrolled in West Point or Annapolis Service Academies. The ACT composite score for the class is 22.6, which is higher than the national ACT composite score of 21. Graduating seniors received more than $10 million in scholarships.
- Conway High School won three state championships during the 2010-2011 school year in wrestling, softball and baseball.
- Kathy Powers, a fifth and sixth grade teacher at Raymond and Phyllis Simon Intermediate School, was named the 2011 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
- Over half of the teaching staff at Conway Public Schools have at least a master’s degree.
- The district boasts 35 National Board certified teachers who have, on their own time, completed the rigorous process necessary to qualify for certification by this independent organization.
Conway Adult Education Center
http://www.caec.org/
The Conway Adult Education Center is part of Conway Public Schools and offers GED preparation and classes in math, reading and English as a Second Language. The center also offers all types of computer training, including courses in the Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Internet and email use; and digital photography and photo editing. These courses are offered every eight weeks, both during the day and in the evening. Industry-specific training is also offered on-site at the client’s facility.
In 2012, Conway Public Schools will consolidate the 11 preschool classrooms in the Conway School District into a central location that will also house the adult education program. In placing these programs near each other, parents could easily drop their children off for preschool and then attend classes that could prepare them for the job market.