Savannah Chamber

66 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce 2019 Economic Trends 21 Infrastructure: Education The six-county CSA* employed approximately 4,121 faculty, administrators, and staff in public and private educational services in the third quarter of 2017. Public High Schools in the CSA produced 4,642 graduates. Of the metro area's population above age 25, approximately 89% are high school graduates or have higher education. Approximately 29% of the population above the age of 25 has a bachelor's degree or higher level of educational attainment. (*See page 10 for definition of CSA.) Pre-K-12 Public Education The district's SY-18 enrollment is 38,171 students, a modest decrease from S-17, which was 38,682 students. There are 55 schools across the public school system including 26 elementary schools (includes two three charter schools), 9 K-8 schools (includes one charter), 9 middle schools (includes one charter), and 11 high schools. The four additional replacement schools that were under construction during the 2016-17 school year last year (Howard Elementary, Haven Elementary, Low Elementary, and A.B. Williams (formerly Spencer) Elementary Schools) are now open. The School District continues to improve educational offerings through facility improvements under the Educational Special Purpose Local Option Sales tax. Future projects include the replacement schools for White Bluff Elementary, Jenkins High School, and a master campus design for a new Groves K-8 facility and a new Groves High School facility. A new K-8 school in western Chatham County (New Hampstead) is also in the works. Recently, Groves High School, Woodville Tompkins Technical, and Career High School earned Gold Awards, while May Howard Elementary received a Platinum Award in the "Greatest Gains" category from the Governor's Office of Student Achievement. Two schools have achieved the acclaimed National Blue Ribbon School status for academics to include the Garrison School for the Arts and Jacob G. Smith Elementary, and Godley Station K8 has been named a National Green Ribbon School for environmental sustainability efforts. SCCPSS has also steadily improved the graduation rate to outperform the state average for the past 4 years. The current graduation rate stands at 86.6% (SY 17-18). For more information, please visit sccpss.com. Higher Education: Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools About 60,000 students are enrolled in the 19 institutions of higher learning in and around the Savannah area. While several of these schools have long histories of producing graduates who have contributed to the region, others are recent newcomers, attracted to the demands for advanced learning created by Savannah's vibrant and growing economy. Georgia Southern University (GSU): Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving nearly 26,500 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Savannah, Statesboro, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu. Coastal Georgia Center: Operated by Savannah State University, the Coastal Georgia Center offers a convenient location in historic downtown Savannah with a professional environment for students enrolled in graduate level courses in business, public administration and social work. The center is an outreach component of the University System of Georgia, promoting economic development and provides accommodation for meetings, seminars and regional conferences. savannahstate.edu/cgc/ Georgia Tech Savannah: As part of Georgia Tech's mission to provide professional education, certificates, short course, seminars, customized programs and other educational activities to the adult workforce, as well as K-12 and industry outreach, the Savannah location of Georgia Tech connects with the local and regional coastal community. Working through Georgia Tech offices of Georgia Tech Professional Education, the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing (CEISMC), the Enterprise Innovation Institute, the Advanced Technology Development center and various faculty along with their research programs, Georgia Tech works with local, regional and national/ international businesses and citizens for impact in the region. savannah.gatech.edu SCAD: The University for Creative Careers: The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees at distinctive locations and online to prepare talented students for professional careers. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors, as well as minors in more than 75 disciplines across its locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; In Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning. With more

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