The availability of a quality education provides a significant
contribution to the quality of life and commerce in any
area. A community's public and private schools shape the
area's graduates, stressing the traditional areas of study
while incorporating the practical skills required by many
of today's employers.
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS
More
than 28,000 Augusta and Columbia County children are educated
at the twelve high schools, fifteen middles schools and
fifty-two elementary schools. The average student-to-teacher
ratio for both counties is 23:1.
Programs
to assist both gifted and disadvantaged students are available
in the public school system. Among these programs are "Tech
Prep", "gifted" and "magnet". Tech Prep, a nationally recognized
term, prepares high school students for the workplace through
a combination of academic and technical training. The gifted
and magnet programs are designed to challenge and stimulate
educationally advanced students by allowing them to accelerate
their learning. The magnet program provides students with
intensive courses of study in pre-selected areas, enabling
them to better define career options.
PRIVATE
SCHOOLS
The area has many opportunities for elementary and secondary
education in private schools. There are 19 private schools
with a combined enrollment of approximately 3,500 students.
The grade levels offered and tuition differ from school
to school. Religious denominations operating these schools
include Roman Catholic, Christian, Baptist, Seventh Day
Adventist, Episcopal and Independent fundamental. These
elementary and secondary schools provide a solid scholastic
foundation.
HIGHER
EDUCATION
The University System of Georgia is the fourth largest in
the nation. The University System of Georgia and other affiliates
offer students higher education options at 13 institutions
within a 150-mile radius of Augusta. These institutions
offer a wide range of academic programming, including certificates,
associates, baccalaureate, masters, doctoral and professional
degrees.
Augusta
State University (ASU) is a four-year college offering fifty major programs, six
bachelors programs and four associate degree programs, as
well as graduate work in education, business, public administration
and psychology. ASU is accredited by the Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the College of Business
Administration is accredited by AACSB, the International
Association for Management Education. ASU offers undergraduate,
graduate and Cooperative Doctoral Programs.
Medical
College of Georgia (MCG) is the State Health Sciences
University. MCG is a premiere Research University in the
areas of Cell Signaling, Immunogenetics and Telemedicine.
MCG offers Allied Health Sciences, Dentistry, Graduate Studies,
Nursing, and Medicine.
Paine
College is a four-year private liberal arts college,
offering Bachelors of Arts and Science degrees. It presently
offers 13 accredited programs of study. Paine is accredited
by SACS.
Augusta
Technical Institute (ATI), accredited by SACS, coordinates
the world-class state-funded Quick Start training program
and is the only technical school in Georgia to win the U.S.
Secretary of Education's Award of Excellence. ATI is operated
under the supervision of the State Board of Technical and
Adult Education. Programs are offered in Allied Health Sciences,
Business, Engineering Technology and Industrial Education
with degree programs including Associate of Applied Technology
Degrees, Diplomas, and Technical Certificates of Credit.
All programs are offered on a full-time basis, ranging in
length from one academic quarter to two years.
Kerr
Business College (KBC) is a private institution accredited
by the Accredited Council of Independent Colleges and Schools
(ACICS). KBC offers diplomas and certificates in the Business
and Medical fields.
