Local education leaders shared a similar sentiment Friday morning at the Henderson Chamber of Commerce’s Education Breakfast: the state of education in Henderson County is strong.
Presenters included Dr. Ron Patterson, Murray State University’s new president; Dr. Jason Warren, Henderson Community College’s president/CEO; Dr. Bob Lawson, Henderson County Schools superintendent; and Emma Bridges, Holy Name School’s principal.
Bridges outlined some of the core elements of HNS, including its mission as a parochial school to pursue a Christ-centered approach supported by the number one rule of “The Cardinal 10”: “We are Christ-like.”
She also mentioned that of HNS’ 413 students, 30% are non-Catholic, and students aren’t just from Henderson. Some come from Union, Webster and McLean counties, as well as Evansville and Newburgh. Students come from a lot of socioeconomic backgrounds with a percentage on free or reduced lunches and scholarships. Its Early Learning program comprised of students younger than kindergarten has 100 students.
She also highlighted that middle school MAP test scores showed that 88% scored above grade level in science, 87% scored above grade level in math and 88% scored above grade level in reading.
Another highlight is that 98% of middle-schoolers participate in some form of extracurricular activity, and the school has a “no quit” policy in which a student who quits an extracurricular is not allowed to participate in any other extracurriculars.
Lawson said that because education is strong in the county “we’re seeing progress in our community.” He said HCS offers “extraordinary educational opportunities for every student.”
Much of Lawson’s talk centered around HCS’ “ships” initiative, which includes theme words that end in the suffix “ship.” Last year, the district focused on relationships, and this year its word is friendship. He highlighted collaboration in the community among businesses, government and Henderson Community College.
“We have so many great friendships that are pushing Henderson County Schools and our community forward,” he said.
He highlighted test scores at elementary schools, some of which are reaching levels that a school has never achieved and other schools not for a decade.
Lawson also lauded the “flagship” school Henderson County High School, which has the largest Career Technical Education program under one roof in the state.
Each HCHS student meets with guidance counselors each year and with 14 CTE programs and 22 pathways, they are studying in “the land of opportunity,” Lawson said.
“You simply can’t provide that at a smaller school,” he said.
He also highlighted the Advanced Placement and dual credit programs that saved families more than $1 million in tuition.
Warren hit on a couple new programs that HCC will implement soon. Newly approved Electrical Tech an Advance Phlebotomy programs are scheduled to begin in January, he said.
He also spoke about two capital projects that HCC hopes to complete. HCC officials want to renovate the 40-plus-year-old Hartfield Library and the Administration Building, which has been on campus since the institution’s inception in the early 1960s. Warren said the library renovation is #6 on the Kentucky Community and Technical College System funding priority list for capital projects, while the Administration Building is #7.
He also spoke about HCC being recognized as a Carnegie Classification of Opportunity Colleges, one of 60 community colleges in the nation to be named as such. He said the recognition came because of HCC’s dedication to helping first-generation and lower income students.
Patterson started by saying that a hallmark of Murray State is its affordability. He also mentioned attacks on the value of higher education and asked the room full of educators to help “dispel the myth” of those attacks.
Patterson also spoke about new buildings and programs at MSU. He highlighted the construction of the new School of Nursing and Health Professions building which is currently underway. Patterson also spoke about a $60 million funding appropriation approved in last year’s Kentucky General Assembly that will be used to start the school’s Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine program, the state’s first.
He also mentioned new academic pathways at Murray, dental hygiene and exercise science, as well as a 2+2 program that allows pre-med students to take their first two years at MSU and then transfer to University of Louisville.
He said 62% of Murray’s enrollment include students from Kentucky, and 115 of 120 Kentucky counties are represented. MSU students come from all but one state, North Dakota, and 52 countries, Patterson said.
“We are a world-class institution,” he said.
He also mentioned MSU’s six conference championships last year, and the baseball team’s deep run in the College World Series.
U.S. News and World Report rated Murray State as the #1 value in the South, he said.
