Holmes Community College
Holmes Community College was founded as Holmes County Agricultural High School in 1910. After much debate as to where the school would be located it was decided that Goodman, Mississippi would receive this honor. It wasn't until 1925 that the junior college level of education was approved and implemented.
Holmes Community College traces its origin to 1911 when plans were made to establish Holmes County Agricultural High School in Goodman, Mississippi. The town of Goodman provided 40 acres of land (along with free water from the community's artesian well) on the west side of town, and the Board of Trustees purchased an additional 42 acres adjacent to the original school location.
In 1922 the Mississippi State legislature permitted agricultural high schools scattered throughout the state to add two years of college work. In the 1925-26 school session the first year of college work was added; in 1928-29, the second year. The school was then recognized by the Mississippi State Department of Education as a complete junior college, eligible to award the associate of arts degree.
Support of the college has grown from a single county, Holmes, to include Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Grenada, Madison, Montgomery, Webster and Yazoo counties. This makes it the second largest community college district in the state. With the district's growth, opportunities for service brought the college to evaluate its ability to provide educational and cultural opportunities within such a diverse sphere. This assessment resulted in 1985 of the opening of the Ridgeland campus, located in Madison County and adjacent to the rapidly growing north Jackson metropolitan area. In addition, the Grenada Center, located in an expanding industrial and recreational area in the northern part of the district opened the same year.
The Grenada associate degree nursing program was established in 1982. It has been state accredited since its inception. The faculty completed a self-study during the 1992-1993 academic year for initial accreditation by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission. The program has maintained national accreditation since and was reaccredited in 1998. The ADN program is an institutional member of the National Organization of Associate Degree Nursing and of the Southern Regional Educational Board.
In 1988 Holmes Junior College's Board of Trustees took the first step to change the school's name to Holmes Community College. Considering that the institution had retained its original name for over 60 years it was a momentous decision, while at the same time illustrating an inescapable observation: The district, its students and the overall demographic makeup had changed to the extent that the new name would, to a large degree, more effectively mirror the population Holmes had come to serve throughout the district.
The Ridgeland and Grenada facilities provide a wide array of academic and vocational/technical programs and serve as continuing education and cultural activities centers. The Goodman campus continues to offer post-secondary education opportunities in a traditional residential setting. Attala Educational Center in Kosciusko, dedicated in the fall of 1997, makes it possible for the college to provide a variety of courses, including: nursing, academic and work training for those in and around Attala County.
Although Holmes' history is an integral part of the institution, the college continues to maintain a forward looking stance by participating in a continuous cycle of assessment and planning. Knowledge gained through this effort is ongoing and constantly permits improvements and upgrading of college's services.
With an annual operating budget of over $16 million, Holmes Community College has the resources to deliver educational services utilizing a variety of instructional methods and to provide ancillary services and activities that enhance the college environment. The college faculty, staff and administration constantly strive toward excellence. Well-trained and committed, they exhibit leadership roles on the campus as well as in local, state and national organizations.
Holmes Community College starts the 21st century confident of its mission and dedicated to service. Dynamic leadership coupled with a resolute faculty and staff have established a tradition of excellence. While forward-looking, it is guided by historical precedent. Through careful assessment and planning, the college stands ready and prepared to meet the challenges that lie in its future.
Holmes County Public School District
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide an education to help meet the needs of every student in the Holmes County School District. To attain the mission for which the Holmes County School District exists, the following goals are to be achieved.
To Provide:
- A unified instructional management plan that will guide the professional staff and give all students an opportunity to achieve success intellectually, as well as morally, emotionally, physically and socially.
- A sufficient amount of time on task in order for students to demonstrate a mastery of basic skills.
- For effective district and building level leadership.
- For effective administrative and curriculum organization.
- Appropriate pupil instruction.
- District and building level climate that is effective and appropriate for teaching, learning, and planning.
- Staff and Professional Development activities that will promote continuous student achievement.
District Information
District Organization: Schools
| Goodman-Pickens Elementary | 662.468-2116 | K-6 |
| Career and Technical Center | 662.834-3052 | 10-12 |
| Holmes County Central High School | 662.834-2709 | 6-12 |
| S. V. Marshall Elementary | 662.235-5226 | K-6 |
| William Dean Elementary | 662.834-3003 | K-5 |
| Williams-Sullivan Elementary | 662.653-6218 | K-5 |
District Enrollment - Approximately 3,900+
Employees - 500+
Holmes County's School District Curriculum is the Mississippi State Framework / Instructional Intervention Supplements which is aligned with the TerraNova Norm Referenced Test, Grade Level Criterion Referenced Tests, Functional Literacy Exam, Subject Area Tests, and the ACT.
In addition to this, implementation of HeartBeeps test-preparation software, as well as the ability for high school students to participate in a Distance Learning program via satellite help keep the Holmes County School District competitive. Vocational training is also available to students in the fields of Allied Health, Business & Computer Technology, Auto Body and Fender Repair, Building Trades and Metal Trades that allow students hands-on training in specified employment fields.
To meet 21st century challenges facing today's student Holmes County School District has incorporated the Tech-Prep Initiative. This is a series of programs and activities that address the needs of high school students entering an increasingly technical workplace environment. Students also have the advantage of being able to utilize the Accelerated Reader Lab/ Josten Lab / Academy of reading. These programs are designed to strengthen both academic and computer skills in preparation for a brighter future.
Holmes County School District also provides for disabled students. The Children With Disabilities Program services both public and private schools in the county, and each school has at least one class dedicated to this purpose. The Program currently serves approximately 300 students and employs approximately 25 teachers and assistants as well as a licensed social worker and psychometrician.
The District also has established an Alternative Education Program which serves as a learning alternative placement for students who have had difficulty adjusting to the regular classroom environment or have experienced disciplinary problems in the classroom or school. This program promotes academic performance, behavior modification, functional skills, career education, character education, and employability skills in a learning environment that offers high expectations and support.
The Holmes County School District promotes student participation in numerous extra curricular activities. These activities and organizations include Student Government Association, Future Business Leaders of America, Drama Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, as well as sports, cheerleading, band, and choir.
The Holmes County School District encourages the involvement of parents in conjunction with students and staff. Each school has an active PTA and a Home-School Liaison dedicated to strengthening the relationship between the home and the school.
Transportation is provided for students who live one mile or more from their school via the District Transportation Department, and the District's Child Nutrition Program provides for student nutrition.
There is a mandatory program of Staff / Professional Development activities that is provided based on identified district needs. The program is designed to promote continued demonstration of the essential competencies and responsibilities necessary for the school to meet its goals.
Holmes County School District, with a new federal grant, has expanded its after school and summer programs as well. These services include Homework help, Student Mentors, Arts, Computer, Recreation, and Social Studies.
The U.S. Department of Education 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant, which was awarded at the beginning of June, 2001, is administered by Holmes County School District with support from colleges, county agencies, and communities in Holmes County. The program began in September, 2001, and enrolls approximately 800 students from K-12th grade.