Brunswick County Schools: Open Or Closed?

Brunswick County Schools is a public school district located in Bolivia, North Carolina. It serves over 12,000 students in grades PK, K-12 across twenty schools. The district offers a dynamic education system with a vision of cultivating well-educated, employable, and socially responsible citizens. The schools in the district include Early College High School, North Brunswick High, South Brunswick High, and West Brunswick High, among others. The district's website provides resources for parents and students, such as enrolment information, school calendars, and news updates. The schools in Brunswick County offer various academic and extracurricular opportunities to their students, with a focus on both academic excellence and social development.

Student-teacher ratio

Brunswick County Schools in North Carolina is a dynamic school system serving over 13,000 students across 20 schools. The student-teacher ratio is 15:1, which is equal to the North Carolina state average.

The student body is 62% White, 14% Black, 0.6% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, 16% Hispanic/Latino, 0.5% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. The remaining 6.5% of students are of two or more races, and 0% have not specified their race or ethnicity.

The district's minority enrollment is 40%, and 65.9% of students are economically disadvantaged. 48% of students are female, and 52% are male. 65.9% of students are eligible to participate in the federal free and reduced-price meal program, and 5.7% are English language learners.

Within Brunswick County Schools, 82.4% of teachers are licensed, and 95.5% have three or more years of experience. The district has 18 full-time counsellors on staff.

School performance grades

The combination of these scores is then converted to a 100-point scale, which is then converted to a letter grade from A to F. Schools that receive a D or F grade and have met or not met growth targets are designated as low-performing.

In Brunswick County, North Carolina, nine schools achieved a School Performance Grade of C, two schools earned a letter grade of B, and two schools earned a letter grade of A for the 2022-2023 school year. The grades were affected by the formula used to determine them because student performance on state tests far outweighed the credit schools earned for the progress students made on the same tests from one year to the next.

While the majority of schools across the state achieved at least expected growth, the A-F performance grades of many schools were depressed by lower-than-usual percentages of students earning a score of grade-level proficiency. This shift in grades is consistent with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on test scores.

Student support services

The Student Support Services offered by Brunswick County Schools are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for students. The services include academic support, free or low-cost health insurance, substance use resources and support, exceptional children services, school counselling and social work services, and school psychologist services. The school system has 19 school nurses serving their 20 schools, promoting health and safety, intervening with health problems, and collaborating with others to encourage student self-management and educational success.

The Student Support Services also include the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), which is a comprehensive framework to support students' behavioural and academic needs. The services also extend to international exchange students, providing unique mealtime needs, severe allergy management, medication at school, and concussion protocols.

The school district also offers a Parent Portal App, which provides parents and caregivers with information on their child's school bus location and sends notifications when the bus is nearing the stop. This app improves communication, safety, and efficiency for Brunswick County School students and their families.

In addition to this, Communities in Schools of Brunswick County surrounds students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve success in life.

School safety procedures

Brunswick County Schools is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students, staff, and visitors. The district has implemented a range of safety procedures to ensure the well-being of everyone in the school community.

COVID-19 Procedures:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunswick County Schools followed the guidelines set by the Maine CDC and the local health department. This included requiring masks in all school facilities, encouraging social distancing, and advising staff and students to stay home if they were experiencing any symptoms. The district also conducted contact tracing and notified close contacts in case of a positive case. Home tests were not accepted as verification, and pooled testing was offered as a tool for monitoring the health of the school community.

Immunization Requirements:

Brunswick County Schools works in collaboration with Brunswick County Health Services to ensure that all students are up to date on their immunizations. For the 2024-25 school year, 6th and 11th-grade students are required by the NC Department of Health and Human Services to receive the Tdap and meningococcal vaccines. These can be obtained from the student's primary care provider or through vaccine clinics offered in the schools.

Anonymous Reporting System:

Brunswick County Schools has partnered with Say Something Anonymous Reporting to provide a confidential way for youth and adults to report safety concerns. This system allows individuals to submit anonymous reports about potential threats to themselves or others, helping to identify and intervene before any harm is done.

Campus Crime Tip Line:

The district also maintains a Campus Crime Tip Line, where individuals can submit tips about any criminal or suspicious activity on school campuses.

Bus Safety:

Brunswick County Schools has implemented several measures to enhance bus safety, including the Edulog Parent Portal app. This app provides real-time information on bus locations and sends notifications when the bus is approaching a student's stop. Additionally, the district prioritizes bus maintenance and maximizes ventilation on buses to ensure the safety and comfort of students during their commute.

Fire, Lockdown, and Tornado Drill Procedures:

The district conducts regular fire, lockdown, and tornado drills to prepare students and staff for potential emergency situations. Superintendent Dale Cole has emphasized his commitment to reviewing and improving all safety procedures, including the documentation and continuous improvement of drill procedures.

Student Code of Conduct:

Brunswick County Schools has established a Student Code of Conduct to outline the expected behavior and disciplinary procedures for students. This code helps maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for all.

Student health requirements

The following are the student health requirements for Brunswick County Schools:

• Immunization Records: Students are required to provide up-to-date immunization records. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services mandates specific vaccines for 7th and 12th-grade students, which include the Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines for 7th graders and a Meningococcal booster vaccine for 12th graders. These vaccines can be obtained from a child's primary care provider, Brunswick County Health Services, or vaccine clinics offered in Brunswick County Schools.
• Health Assessment: All students new to North Carolina Public Schools must submit an NC Health Assessment Transmittal Form provided by a doctor's office.
• Proof of Residency: Only students who physically reside within Brunswick County boundaries or have obtained approval from the School Board may legally attend Brunswick County Schools. Acceptable documents for proof of residency include a copy of a residential deed, lease, or utility bill dated within the past 30 days.
• Birth Certificate: A certified birth certificate is required for enrollment and must be presented within 30 calendar days of enrollment.
• Photo Identification: Parents or legal guardians must provide valid photo identification, such as a North Carolina driver's license, identification card, or military identification card.
• Court Orders and Custody Paperwork: Copies of all current court orders concerning custody and visitation, including protective orders, are required for students not living with their natural parents. Custody paperwork authorized by a judge or Social Services/foster care placement is necessary.
• Disciplinary/Criminal Record: A disciplinary/criminal record affidavit must be completed and submitted.
• Withdrawal Form and Report Card: A withdrawal form and the most recent report card or high school transcript are required for students transferring from another school. This does not apply to those entering kindergarten for the first time.
• Special Needs: Parents or legal guardians should inform school staff of any special needs the student may have, including 504 Plans, IEPs, AIG, or special health care needs.
• Nutrition and Fitness: The school district has a Wellness Policy that focuses on improving student health. They provide nutrition education and encourage meaningful physical fitness activities for all children.
• Health Services: Brunswick County Schools offer health services to meet the medical needs of students, including first aid treatment, disease management, and health screenings. The goal is to maximize educational opportunities while minimizing the impact of illness.

Frequently asked questions