Gilchrist County Schools

Celebrating Academic Achievement

District’s focus on Inclusivity, and Innovation lead to top scholastic results

Gilchrist County School District is known for its high academic standards and community growth under Superintendent Dr. Jim Surrency. Serving approximately 2,800 students across Trenton High School, Bell High School, Trenton Elementary, and Bell Elementary, the district prepares for growth due to increasing community development. As it prepares for the 2024-2025 school year, it organizes schedules and staffing to accommodate a rise in student enrollment over the next five years.

Dr. Surrency and Linda Gartin, Assistant Superintendent; Dorota Micale, Director of Federal Programs; Lisa Barry, Director of Secondary Education; and Krista Perryman, Director of Elementary Education, provide an overview of the district’s current state and future projections.

Despite its smaller size, the district offers various academic and vocational programs, including dual enrollment, AP courses, honors courses, and CTE programs in business, carpentry, and agriculture. Partnerships with Santa Fe College, the University of Florida, and Florida Gateway College help students earn industry certifications and college credits.

Gartin highlights the dual enrollment program, where students can earn college credits through academic and vocational tracks. Some even complete their AA degree before graduating high school. Micale discusses the CTE programs, which include business, carpentry, and agricultural pathways. These programs align with high-skill, high-wage job markets to prepare students for successful careers.

Celebrating student achievements

The district takes immense pride in celebrating its students’ accomplishments. Dr. Surrency and his team have implemented several initiatives to recognize student achievements. These include numerous award banquets and ceremonies, such as baccalaureate and honor nights, where students receive medals, cords, and other forms of recognition.

“We celebrate every student’s achievement, whether they reach proficiency or not. Celebrating their growth and success in their programs, no matter their path, sets us apart”, says Perryman.

Students excelling in their studies and earning industry certifications are honored through specialized award ceremonies. Valedictorians, salutatorians, and scholarship recipients, like those qualifying for the Bright Futures Scholarship, are recognized for their dedication.

Workforce development

The Gilchrist County School District’s commitment to workforce development is evident through its vital Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and strategic partnerships with local employers and educational institutions. Dr. Surrency and his team highlighted the district’s efforts to provide students with practical skills and certifications that pave the way for immediate employment opportunities post-graduation.

One standout aspect of Gilchrist County’s educational approach is the emphasis on CTE programs, which allow students to gain valuable skills and certifications in various trades. For instance, students can enroll in welding classes for up to four hours a day, earning welding certificates that enable them to enter the workforce directly after high school. The hands-on training ensures that students have the skills to secure well-paying jobs to support themselves and their families.

Acknowledging that not every student is destined for a traditional four-year college, the district supports those pursuing vocational careers. This inclusive approach helps produce well-rounded individuals prepared for various professional paths. The district collaborates with CareerSource Florida Crown, a state-funded agency, and receives grant funding from the Department of Education to support its CTE pathways.

The district’s partnerships with local government agencies and businesses are crucial in facilitating workforce training programs. The district engages with the local Chamber of Commerce to stay connected with the business community, ensuring that the programs offered align with local employment needs. Additionally, students in Health Academy and other vocational tracks gain real-world experience through on-the-job training (OJT) programs, internships, and job shadowing opportunities with local employers.

Strategic partnerships

Gilchrist County School District partners with Palms Medical Group, allowing Health Academy students to shadow professionals and earn certifications as CNAs, EKG specialists, and more. The experiences provide practical skills and prepare students for further medical education. The district also has articulation agreements with Santa Fe College, CFCC, Florida Gateway College, and the University of Florida, enabling students to earn college credits in high school. Programs like criminal justice offer certifications for roles such as 911 dispatchers, providing direct pathways into public service positions.

Agricultural programs are key to workforce development, maintaining ties to local high-tech dairies and ag markets. FFA students gain entrepreneurial and leadership skills through supervised agricultural experiences. Inclusivity is a priority, as demonstrated by the Work-Based Learning Employment (WBLE) program, which helps students with disabilities gain work experience through job coaching and community-based employment.

Technology integration

Technology integration into learning and teaching environments has significantly advanced, ensuring students and teachers have the tools to thrive in a digital world. This investment is evident across various programs and initiatives. In Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, like the Business Academy, students can earn certifications in essential business platforms such as Microsoft Excel, enhancing their employability.

A notable advancement is the implementation of BenQ panels in nearly every classroom, facilitating dynamic teaching and web-based learning for elementary students. The district also explores artificial intelligence (AI) as a learning tool, introducing MMII, an AI tutoring program, with plans to expand AI training. At the high school level, the district uses Canvas for assignments and instructional materials and plans to provide more training for teachers on integrating technology into their methods.

The commitment extends to providing personal devices to students. Ninth to twelfth graders are issued laptops they can keep upon graduation, while younger students can access classroom laptop carts and iPads. Over the past year and a half, approximately $485,000 has been invested in technology through federal grants, covering software, hardware, and infrastructure improvements. This includes providing hotspots for students needing internet access at home to ensure continuity in remote learning.

Community partnerships are crucial to the district’s technology initiatives. Before COVID-19, internet connectivity outside schools was limited. The district collaborated with private vendors and rural co-ops to enhance internet access throughout the community, significantly increasing connectivity and allowing more students to participate in virtual learning.

Capital improvement projects

Gilchrist County School District is undertaking major capital improvement projects to accommodate rapid growth and enhance facilities. Superintendent Surrency and his team are excited about these developments, which reflect the district’s proactive approach to infrastructure and community needs. Established in 1925, the district is nearing its 100th anniversary. It serves the communities of Bell and Trenton, each with a middle-high school and an elementary school alongside cherished historical buildings.

Recent projects include a new cafeteria at Trenton High School, parking renovations, security fencing, and repairs to existing structures. The district’s most ambitious project is a new elementary school to address increasing enrollment at Bell and Trenton elementary schools. The state recommended and funded this project, securing approximately $40 million.

The new elementary school, serving pre-K through fifth grade, will be on the county’s eastern side, where significant growth has occurred. Its location on a major highway will help alleviate overcrowding and traffic congestion. The project is expected to be funded over three years, with completion aimed for the 2026-2027 school year, though timelines may vary due to material availability and costs. The district’s proactive approach to infrastructure includes addressing traffic challenges, with the Florida Department of Transportation considering road expansions to support the growth.

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion

Beyond infrastructure, Gilchrist County School District is deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The district has an ESOL coordinator to support English language learners and works closely with the mental health director on resiliency initiatives, part of a broader state initiative on inclusivity. The commitment extends to students with disabilities, migrant students, and homeless students under the McKinney-Vento Act. The district partners with the Central Florida Education Foundation to support student ambassadors who create inclusive environments and provide resources like outdoor gathering spaces and counseling support.

Students with special needs are mainstreamed into regular classrooms, supported by paraprofessionals as needed. The district uses a data-driven approach to identify and address academic and emotional needs, offering services like tutoring, vision screenings, and access to clothes, sports equipment, and transportation assistance. The comprehensive support includes providing hotspots and gas cards for school attendance, lice kits, vehicles for truancy officers, and transportation for homeless students. The holistic system ensures every student has the opportunity to succeed and fully participate in school life.

Academic performance and student growth

Gilchrist County School District is committed to overcoming challenges and achieving high academic performance and student growth standards. One of the district’s standout accomplishments is its performance in Florida’s rigorous accountability system, which grades schools and districts based on student achievement.

Dr. Surrency highlights, “For 19 of the past 20 years, we’ve been an ‘A’ district. That is an unbelievable achievement. It doesn’t come mildly; we’ve been very fortunate with high-performing teachers, support staff, and great involvement from parents and students.”

Gartin proudly adds, “We are a high-performing district ranked within the top 10% of the state. Our teacher of the year in 2023 was one of the top five finalists for state teacher of the year, and our students consistently achieve top rankings in various state assessments.”

The district has excelled in various state assessments, with notable rankings in subjects like English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. For instance, the district ranks second in the state for 10th-grade ELA, third for third-grade and eighth-grade math, and first for fourth-grade math.

The success of individual students and teachers is also celebrated. In 2023, the Teacher of the Year was a top-five finalist for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, showcasing the high caliber of educators. Additionally, significant improvements have been seen in the proficiency levels of the black student population in science, increasing from 35% to 57%.

Culture of continuous improvement

Gilchrist County’s success is built on a culture of data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. The district closely monitors student growth, celebrating both proficiency and incremental progress. This focus on individual student growth ensures that every student is supported and encouraged to reach their full potential regardless of their starting point. The district’s commitment to student success extends beyond academics.

Various pathways are offered to cater to different student interests and career goals. Whether students aspire to attend college, enter vocational fields, or start their businesses, the district provides the necessary resources and support to help them achieve their dreams.

Barry adds, “Our culture is what sets us apart. We care about our students, our teachers, and our community. We are rooted deeply here and excel because we care about what we do daily.”

Looking to the future, Gilchrist County School District aims to maintain its high standards while adapting to new challenges and opportunities. Dr. Surrency proudly states, “Gilchrist County stands out like a diamond in the rough. Despite being surrounded by multiple rural areas; we consistently knock it out of the park year after year. It’s something very, very special that we do here.”

AT A GLANCE

Gilchrist County Schools

What: An above-average public school district located in Trenton, Florida, which prides itself on fostering academic achievement, inclusivity, and innovation.

Where: Four schools located in North-Central Florida.

Website: https://www.gilchristschools.org/