The Warner Robins Area Chamber of Commerce would like to thank the following sponsors:
 

Education is Essential

Education is now more important and sought after than ever before. This makes education the single most important economic development issue and the most desirable asset for any community. Education in Warner Robins has always been as the foundation for both individual and collective success. When local student performances are compared with regional, statewide and national measures, it becomes obvious from the high local scores that education here is both a first priority and a consistent focus. Houston County has consistently had schools recognized as national Schools of Excellence.

HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM
Click here for Chamber's Schools Brochure
Click here for Houston County Board of Education Brochure

Providing educational opportunities to over 26,900 students on 37 campuses, the Houston County School System maintains an average pupil-teacher ratio of 22 to 1. Strong staffs of more than 4,500 certified and additional classified personnel are noted for their motivational and instructional abilities.

Largely due to staff and parent involvement, the average daily attendance rate is 95.1 percent and the dropout rate is only 3.2 percent. The majority of high school graduates continue their education, many at leading institutions of higher learning across the state and nation.

The system also offers excellent programs to include classes designed specifically for gifted students and for students with disabilities, providing them countless opportunities geared towards their unique abilities. Of the professional staff, 64 percent hold advanced degrees, and their teaching skills are reflected in system test scores that consistently exceed state and national averages. All 23 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 4 high schools and 2 specialty schools are designed to meet the needs of at-risk learners. The school system and its 37 schools are District Accredited by the AdvanceED Accreditation Commission, the national commission that confers the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement. Expansions are regularly planned and executed to accommodate a growing population. Equipment upgrades are also routine. Twenty-two of the system’s schools have been designated Georgia Schools of Excellence a total or 35 times.

Warner Robins High School, Houston County High School, Centerville Elementary School and Linwood Elementary School have been named National Blue Ribbon Schools. Programs offered by the school system include: a Pre-Kindergarten program for eligible four-year-olds, a full-day kindergarten program a strong business partnership program ,and community involvement, interscholastic competition in all major and most minor sports, with both boys’ and girls’ teams having been successful in winning regional and state championships a wide variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities a center for at-risk  students and  academic competition in a variety of areas Specialists in art, music and physical education at each school balance the system’s strong elementary instructional program. The middle school program features exploratory courses and interdisciplinary team teaching in academic areas. The high school instructional program allows students to customize their academic foundation by choosing a college preparatory or vocation-al- technical focus. Advanced Placement courses, postsecondary options, and College Joint Enrollment are also available at the high school level, as are numerous elective studies.

For more information about the Houston County School System, please call 478-988-6200.

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY


Fort Valley State University is a public, senior, 1890 land-grant institution serving Georgia and the nation. Founded in 1895 as an institution to serve primarily the educational needs of students of African descent, the university provides instruction, research and public and extension services consistent with its land-grant and public functions for all segments of the population to achieve their personal, educational and professional goals. Following the liberal arts and the land-grant traditions, the university provides diversified and challenging programs to meet educational needs resulting from societal changes. Fort Valley State University provides a learning and living environment that enables its graduates and all who come under its influence to become innovative and critical thinkers, problem-solvers and responsible citizens.

The newly expanded Warner Robins Center of Fort Valley State University is open week days, week nights, and Saturdays to serve Middle Georgia. Located at 151 Osigian Blvd., Warner Robins, we offer graduate classes, undergraduate classes and an ever-changing array of continuing education classes to help you move forward in your career, or prepare for a new career, or enrich your life. We try to offer classes at the best times for those who may be working while pursuing their degrees and interests.

The university is now offering six new bachelor’s degree programs, including B.S. in Computer Information Systems, B.S. in Computer Science, B.B.A. in Business Administration, B.S. in Middle Grades Education, B.S.W. in Social Work, and B.S. in Electronic Engineering Technology.

FVSU is now a Professional Learning Unit (PLU) provider. Approved courses will note PLU/CEU credits assigned.

What is a continuing education unit? A CEU is a nationally accepted unit of credit for continuing education, and you can receive 1/10 of a CEU for each hour completed. Adults will receive 1 CEU for each ten hours of class you complete. FVSU maintains a record of the CEUs earned, and you may request a transcript in addition to your certificate of completion. Popular Continuing Education/ Professional Learning Unit courses include: Sign language, Spanish, grant writing, belly dancing and fashion design. Certificate courses offered include Child Development Associate, Wedding Planning and SCUBA. New to the campus for Summer 2009 are courses that prepare students for medical certification exams: Medical billing and coding, pharmacy tech, EKG tech and phlebotomy tech.

For more information, call 478-953-7423 or visit us on the Web at http://www.fvsu.edu/academics/extended-education/continuing-education-course-schedule.

 

MACON STATE COLLEGE
With a new permanent campus in Warner Robins, Macon State College is perfectly in tune with the higher education and economic development needs of Houston County and Robins Air Force Base. The Warner Robins Campus is located on Watson Boulevard, across from city Hall and just 1/2 mile from the main gate at Robins Air Force Base.

At the Warner Robins Campus, Macon State College is offers the entire core curriculum of the University System of Georgia as well as bachelor's  degrees in Information Technology, Business, Nursing (RN-BSN Completion Program) and, beginning in Fall 2005, Early Childhood Education.

The Warner Robins Campus-comprised of the historic Thomas Hall and the new two-story Academic Services Building-features student services, extracurricular activities and a fully stocked bookstore. Macon State also has partnered with the Nola Brantley Memorial Library next door to provide enhanced services to students.

Because Macon State is part of the University System of Georgia, tuition is affordable. Financial aid available for students who qualify.

Macon State’s Institute for Information Management, the College’s technology outreach arm, is housed in the Warner Robins Campus. The Institute reflects a part of the College’s core mission – providing professional education and serving as an economic development resource for Central Georgia.

For the convenience of military and civilian personnel, Macon State continues to offer classes on Robins Air Force Base. Since 1970, the College has been helping Robins AFB personnel meet their higher education goals through the University System of Georgia's Robins Resident Center.

Macon State College has been art of the Houston county community for 35 years. Today, more than 1800 Macon State students take classes in Houston county .  For information about the College's day, evening and online classes, call: Warner Robins Campus at 929-6700, Robins Resident Center at 327-7307 or toll free 1-800-272-7619.

 

MIDDLE GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
While exploring your education and training options, be sure to check out Middle Georgia Technical College in Warner Robins. MGTC offers 19 different Associate of Applied Science Degree programs, 32 Diploma programs, and 76 Technical Certificate of Credit programs in the areas of Aerospace, Allied Health, Human Services, Industry & Trade, and Information Technology.  

Middle Georgia Technical College is the college of the future! Many people are not aware that 70% of the top jobs in the United States require more than a high school diploma, but less that a 4-year college degree. The training and education needed for these occupations can be found within the curriculum at MGTC or any of the other 32 technical colleges in Georgia. MGTC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associates of Applied Science degrees. Core degree courses in English and math earned at MGTC can now transfer to any four-year college or university in the state!  

Not only does MGTC offer education and training in Georgia’s fastest growing occupations, it provides customized training for local businesses and industry. In 2007, more than 33,000 people representing 21 companies were trained.  MGTC is also attacking illiteracy in Georgia—delivering services to nearly 2,000 Georgians and awarding 507 GED’s this past year. The College is active in numerous outreach programs through its collaborative efforts with middle and high schools, higher education institutions, and enterprise partnerships. 

Day and evening classes are available in most programs, and MGTC offers many online courses through the Georgia Virtual Technical College. In addition, MGTC has co-op agreements with Robins Air Force Base.  Students enrolled in certain program areas, including aviation programs and electronics, can earn while they learn.

Financial Aid is available in the form of HOPE grants and HOPE scholarships, the Pell Grant, WIA (Workforce Investment Act), scholarships, veterans’ benefits and more. The HOPE Grant and Scholarship, funded by the Georgia Lottery, was awarded to 96% of students enrolled in credit programs. HOPE is available for any eligible Georgia resident or military family stationed in Georgia that is enrolled in a technical college degree, diploma or certificate program. Applying is easier than ever! From our web site, www.middlegatech.edu, students can link to www.GaCollege411.org and apply for admissions and for financial aid. 

The state-of-the-art campus, located at the intersection of Houston Lake Road and Highway 96 in Warner Robins, features modern facilities, high-tech equipment, and hands-on training for individuals desiring to enter or re-enter today’s challenging workforce.       

Enroll today and take the first step toward obtaining the education, training, and skills for the career that you always dreamed of having. Browse the website at www.middlegatech.edu, call toll free at 1-800-474-1031, or come by today. At Middle Georgia Technical College, Your Future is Our Business!

 

Mercer University

Mercer University and Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins partnered in 1983 in a pact that established the School of Engineering on the Macon campus, an engineering research center in Warner Robins and plugged a number of engineering vacancies at the huge military installation. The move has produced more than 1,000 engineering
graduates since the School was established in 1985.

The U.S. Air Force and Robins Air Force Base have felt the pinch of finding and hiring quality engineers and Mercer has played a critical role in that endeavor, providing more graduates to Robins than any other university.

Since its inception in 1987, the Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC) has exceeded the $150 million mark in contract revenue, with the largest coming from Robins.

Founded in 1833, Mercer has campuses in Macon and Atlanta, as well as three regional academic centers. With 10 schools and colleges, the University offers programs in liberal arts, business, engineering, education, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, law and theology. For 14 consecutive years, U.S. News and World Report has named Mercer
University as one of the leading universities in the South. The Princeton Review has listed Mercer among The Best 315 Colleges in North America.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Private schools are plentiful in the immediate Warner Robins area. The largest include Christian Life School, Montessori Rainbow, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Warner Robins Christian Academy, and the Westfield Schools of Perry. Several smaller church-affiliated academies also serve the area.

 

Warner Robins Christian Academy
922-1201

Christian Life School
922-5638

Sacred Heart Catholic School
923-9668

Montessori Rainbow
929-0357

The Westfield School
987-0547