Smart Choices

Kindergarten through college, Lynchburg earns high marks for its exceptional array of public and private institutions. Education is one of the area’s main attractions, but parents and students are not the only ones who benefit. Lively, engaging schools—including six college campuses—contribute immeasurably to the cultural life of the community and give the region a youthful edge.

Talk about school choice. Lynchburg has two nationally recognized public high schools, three public Schools for Innovation, a Governor’s School for Science and Technology,three local Christian schools, one regional Catholic school, an Episcopal day and boarding prep school, one independent K-8 school, several pre-schools, and a private school designed for children with learning disabilities.

It is not unusual for students to shuttle back and forth between public and private schools to find the setting best suited for their particular stage of development. Then, when they graduate, their choice of local colleges is almost as varied. The city is host to five colleges: Liberty University, Lynchburg College, Randolph College, Virginia University of Lynchburg, and Central Virginia Community College. Additionally, Sweet Briar College is tucked into the Amherst County foothills less than 20 miles away.

With strong teaching programs at Liberty University, Lynchburg College, Randolph College, and Sweet Briar College, local schools don’t have to look far to find excellent educators. And teachers certainly don’t have to look far to find employment. In addition to Lynchburg, Central Virginia supports several public high schools: Jefferson Forest, Liberty, and Staunton River in Bedford County; Rustburg, Brookville, William Campbell, and Altavista in Campbell County; and countywide secondary schools in Amherst and Appomattox.

Lynchburg CityPublic Schools
• 11 Elementary Schools
• 3 Middle Schools
• 2 High Schools
• Central Virginia Governor's School for Science and Technology
Every year Newsweek magazine releases its highly competitive "America's Best High Schools" rankings. Only 6 percent of the nation's public high schools qualify to be on the list. And every year, 2010 included, Lynchburg's E. C. Glass High School and Heritage High School make the grade.

Lynchburg City Schools offer the most advanced placement courses in the area—19 in all—with more than 400 students taking at least one class. Teachers have an average 14 years of experience and 55.5 percent hold master's degrees.

The city's "Partners in Education" program provides a way for local businesses to form alliances and relationships with all levels of Lynchburg's public schools, elementary through high school. More than 230 companies and organizations have participated in the joint venture, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2010.

Lynchburg is known throughout the region for its excellent public and private schools, and educational opportunities are often highlighted among the reasons why families choose to live in the city.

Amherst County Public Schools
• 7 Elementary Schools
• 2 Middle Schools
• 1 High School
• Monroe Education Center
The motto "Every Child, Every Day" captures the Amherst County school division's commitment to excellence in education, equality of educational opportunity, and recognition of each student's individuality. Both the school board and ACPS staff are dedicated to providing a quality education for every child by focusing on five priority goals: student academic achievement, school safety, communication, leadership, and responsibility.

Appomattox County Public Schools
• 1 Primary School (K-2)
• 1 Elementary School (3-5)
• 1 Middle School
• 1 High School
The Appomattox County public school system prides itself on "Building Relationships—One Student at a Time." Educators in this rural Central Virginia location believe that maintaining caring relationships with students will enable them to reach their academic potential and realize their dreams. The county provides educational services to more than 2,220 students enrolled in preschool through adult classes. Alternative middle and high school programs, gifted programs, and programs for students with special needs are also available.

Bedford County Public Schools
• 15 Elementary Schools
• 3 Middle Schools
• 3 High Schools
• Bedford Science and Technology Center
The mission of the Bedford County public school system is to ensure that all school-age children receive the highest quality education appropriate to their individual needs and abilities. In addition to providing a high quality, fundamental learning foundation, Bedford schools recognize that students need other skills to be successful in a globally competitive world.

Campbell County Public Schools
• 8 Elementary Schools
• 2 Middle Schools
• 2 High Schools
• 2 Combined Schools (Middle/High)
• Campbell County Technical Center

The mission of the Campbell County school district, in partnership with students, staff, parents, and the community, is to provide the best education for all students in a safe environment, enabling them to become contributing, successful citizens and lifelong learners. The student population in Campbell County schools is growing as strategic changes in curriculum are proving to be successful. Educators in Campbell County have adopted the slogan "Whatever It Takes" as a pledge that each staff member will do just that to reach students, in and out of the classroom.

For a detailed list of public and private schools, see the Resource Guide.

CENTRAL VIRGINIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Averett University
averett.edu
In addition to traditional liberal arts, Averett University offers career programs in aeronautics, athletic training, business administration, education, criminal justice and equestrian studies. The university's main campus is in Danville, VA, but students can enroll in 15 classroom locations statewide.
Enrollment: 2,682 (statewide); 1,112 (Danville Campus)
Academics: 32 majors
Campus Size: 25 acres in residential area of Danville, VA
Affiliation: Independent

Bluefield College
bluefield.edu
Bluefield College offers InSpire, an accelerated degree-completion program for working adults. Majors include behavioral science, criminal justice, management, and leadership.
Enrollment: 500 traditional students, 300 degree completion students
Academics: 22 traditional majors, 3 degree completion majors
Campus Size: 12 acres in Bluefield, VA, with two regional offices in Roanoke and Richmond.
Affiliation: Baptist

Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER)
caer.us
CAER and Central Virginia Community College provide advanced engineering degrees and professional development programs for engineers and professionals in science-related careers.
Enrollment: 50-60
Faculty: Professors from UVA, Virginia Tech, ODU, GMU and VCU
Campus size: Classes offered at the main campus of Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)
Affiliation: Virginia's Region 2000 Partnership and UVA

Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)
cvcc.vccs.edu
Central Virginia Community College is a two-year institution serving the educational needs of Virginia's Region 2000. The college is a day and evening destination for many Central Virginians who use it as the springboard to a four-year institution, to learn a trade, or to keep their skills up to date.
Enrollment: 5,600
Academics: 30+ transfer articulations with Virginia's public and private universities
Campus Size: 105 acres
Affiliation: Public (Virginia Community College System)

Liberty University
liberty.edu
Liberty University is the largest private university in Virginia and the world's largest Christian university. The campus spans almost 6,000 acres on Liberty Mountain in Lynchburg, VA, and serves students from 50 states and 80 countries.
Enrollment: 54,900 (11,900 resident students and 43,000 online students)
Academics: 115 undergraduate areas of study and 24 graduate areas of study and 3 doctoral programs
Campus Size: 5,800 acres
Affiliation: Private (Christian)

Lynchburg College
lynchburg.edu
Lynchburg College is a private, selective, coeducational liberal arts institution. Majors include nursing, education, communication studies, psychology, history, biomedical science, and business/economics. M.A., M.B.A., M.Ed., and M.S.N programs are also offered. A doctor of physical therapy was added in 2010.
Enrollment: 2,200 undergraduate; 400 graduate students
Academics: 38 majors, 45 minors
Campus Size: 214 acres + 470 acres at Claytor Nature Study Center
Affiliation: Related to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Mary Baldwin College in Roanoke
mbc.edu
Mary Baldwin College has more than 30 years of experience helping adult students from all walks of life achieve success. While MBC's residential undergraduate campus in Staunton, VA, remains a liberal arts women's college, its co-ed adult undergraduate and graduate programs are available in eight cities throughout Virginia.
Enrollment: 2,542
Academics: 40+ majors and minors
Campus Size: 54+ acres in Staunton, VA
Affiliation: Private (Presbyterian)

Miller-Motte Technical College
miller-motte.edu
Miller-Motte Technical College has been helping to meet the employment needs of local businesses and industries since 1929. The Lynchburg campus offers programs in criminal justice, esthetics technology, health information technology, massage therapy, medical billing and coding, medical laboratory technician, and surgical technology.
Enrollment: 350
Academics: 10+ certificate programs and associate degree programs
Campus Size: 21,000 sq. ft. building
Affiliation: Private

National College
national-college.edu
National College has been offering career programs in Central Virginia since 1979. Diploma and associate degree programs include career-specific instruction in business, computers, and health care. NC also has bachelor's degree programs in business administration-management and health care management.
Enrollment: 400 at Lynchburg Campus; 10,000 system-wide
Academics: 1 bachelor's, 5 associate degree,
10 diploma programs
Campus Size: 1.5 acres
Affiliation: Private

Old Dominion University
cvcc.vccs.edu/odu
Located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College, this distance learning site offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in 34 programs, including business, community college leadership, elementary education, engineering technology, health sciences, human services, instructional technology, occupational technical studies and nursing.
Enrollment: via satellite/video/videostreaming/web
Campus Size: Classes taught at Central Virginia Community College (CVCC)
Affiliation: Public

Randolph College
randolphcollege.edu
Randolph College is a nationally recognized private, coeducational liberal arts and sciences institution known for its excellent academic program, diverse close-knit community, and global perspective. Originally founded as Randolph-Macon Woman's College in 1891, the college has admitted men since fall 2007. Randolph students represent more than 36 states and 30 countries.
Enrollment: 500 +
Academics: 50 majors and minors, 2 master's in education
Campus Size: 100 acres
Affiliation: Private (United Methodist)

Sweet Briar College
sbc.edu
Sweet Briar is a private women's liberal arts and sciences college (men are welcome on the graduate level). Popular majors include business, biology, psychology, government, and education. It is one of two women's colleges in the nation to offer a degree program in engineering. The campus is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Enrollment: 745
Academics: 40 + major, minor, and certificate programs, 2 master's in education
Campus Size: 3,250 acres
Affiliation: Private (Independent)

Virginia University of Lynchburg
vul.edu
Founded in 1886, Virginia University of Lynchburg is the city's oldest institution of higher learning for men and women. The mission of the school is to provide a solid liberal arts and Christian education program for all students. VUL currently offers bachelor degrees in sociology, religious studies, organizational management and business administration; master degrees in organizational management and divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree.
Enrollment: 250 +
Academics: 37 programs and degrees
Campus Size: 7 acres
Affiliation: Private (Virginia and National Baptist Convention)