Duplin County Schools

  A strong basic curriculum is acknowledged by most everyone to be a requirement for excellent schools.  In Duplin County, we are proud of our curriculum, our instructional program and the opportunities available for staff to enhance their skills for its delivery.  The Board of Education has adopted the Standard Course of Study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  For a detailed review of the K-12 curriculum, please access http://www.ncpublicschools.org/.  Locally, the Duplin County team operates with a common vision and several goals for the 2000-2001 school year.  Local schools have been granted by the State and the Duplin County Board of Education flexibility and site-based decision making.

 In Duplin County, we believe that all children can and will learn and we are committed to doing whatever it takes for each child to succeed.  During the beginning of school, each elementary school parent has an opportunity to conference with school personnel about the specific growth their child should accomplish during the year.  Based on the State Standard Course of Study, students should master at each grade level, language arts, math, social studies, science and technology.  The curriculum
instruction program for the next several years will be based strongly on the
new ABC's of Public Education recently adopted and mandated by the State. 
In this plan, individual student achievement will be published for each school in
reading, writing and mathematics.   

Middle school education assists students in making the transition between elementary school and high school.  The advisor/advisee program provides each student with an adult that they can to for help as needed.           

The Duplin County high schools have a comprehensive and rigorous program of study.  Each school publishes its own curriculum guide.  Students may enroll in college preparatory or college tech-prep programs.  Some qualified students take courses through James Sprunt Community College for high school and college credit.  To graduate, a student must have at least 4 less than the maximum number of credits they can earn.  For most students, this will require 28 units for graduation.           

  All schools are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  

The Duplin County Curriculum and Instruction Service Team is composed of the following members:  

     Dr. Paul Britt - Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction

    Dr. Phillis Ostheim - Director of High School Reform/Workforce Development

      Ms. Jackie Herring - Director of Elementary Education

     Ms. Jessie Fitch - Instructional Support Teacher

     Ms. Gretchen Thigpen - Director of  Workforce Development 

    Mr. Bill Stell - Testing Coordinator

Duplin County Schools serve 8,405 students in fifteen schools grades K-12. The school population is 37% black, 48% white, 14% Hispanic and 1% other. School grade configuration patterns are (1) four K-5 schools, (2) three K-8 schools, (3) one K-6, (4) three 6-8 schools, (5) one 7-12 school, and (6) three 9-12 schools. The dropout rate for Duplin County Schools is 4.01% for grades 7-12.