The Hanover County Community Profile: Schools

Hanover County Schools show a generally steady increase in enrollment since 1998 in all grades, K through 12, with the largest overall increases in grades 7 through 12.

There are 13 elementary schools in the county. Eight have experienced enrollment increases since 1998, and seven have experienced decreases in enrollment: Henry Clay (-15.86%), Rural Point (-9.20%), Washington-H (-8.94%), Elmont (-3.98%) and South Anna (-2.54%). The greatest increases in enrollment since 1998, are Pearson's (45.47%), Pole Green (30.24%), Mechanicsville (10.58%), Cool Spring, (8.49%), Beaverdam (3.59%), John Gandy (3.56%), and Cold Harbor (2.83%).

All of the County's four middle and four high schools have experienced double digit increases in enrollment since 1998, the highest being Oak Knoll Middle School (38.16%) and Lee-Davis High School (21%).

The 2000 U.S. Census indicated that 809 (5.4%) of the total number of children enrolled in Hanover County schools have one or more disabilities. The Kids Count data collection project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation (CLIKS]) indicates that enrollments of children with special needs has increased from 107 per 1,000 children enrolled, to 133.

We cannot begin too early in preparing children to for success in school. The state has developed indicators of school readiness in two important areas: 1) child, family and community, and 2) early childhood support services. Indicators related to the child, family and community include the number of births to teenagers, the level of education of mothers, mothers' prenatal care, low birth weight infants, the number of children living in poverty, and prevalence of child abuse and neglect, and elevated levels of lead in the environment in which children live. Point-in-time estimates for selected school readiness indicators are as follows:

The 2000 U.S. Census for Hanover County indicates that the racial/ethnic make-up of the County's school system is predominantly white (17,197), with the next largest groups being African American (1,861) and Hispanic (286).

More information on indicators of school readiness is published in the online data book: No Time to Waste: Indicators of School Readiness, 2004 Data Book , www.vakids.org, Voices for Virginia's Children, 804-649-0184.