Education

Chilton County Schools works to provide opportunities for students to excel in a number of areas. Clanton and Jemison schools provide engineering classes for kindergarten to 12th through Project Lead the Way classes.

Jemison Intermediate has focused on developing unique learning opportunities for students in recent years through its outdoor classroom project. A pavilion, nature trail, sensory area and a weather station have been established. There are plans for standing work tables, convertible bench table, large chess pieces for the outdoor chess board and an amphitheater experiment station.

With 7,877 students, Chilton County Schools offers preschool through 12th grade throughout the county. K-12 schools serve Maplesville, Thorsby, Isabella and Verbena.

2020 saw an increase in the number of students choosing, at least for a while, to learn online. For the first time, this option was made available to students in preschool, elementary and middle school in light of COVID-19 concerns. Previously online learning had only been available to ninth through 12th grades thorough virtual academy at PASS Academy.

All students have participated in e-learning day, where assignments were to be completed at home and submitted online.

To help ensure every student could do this, the school system applied for and received enough funding for every student in seventh to 12th grades to have one.

Most elementary schools also had Chromebooks available to students.

These devices had already been used at several schools to complete in class assignments for the past few years.

Sports is a highlight for Thorsby and Maplesville high schools with both having very successful teams during recent football seasons.

Maplesville High School, Thorsby High School, Verbena High School and Jemison Intermediate School each received Bicentennial grants in 2018 for remodeling and educational projects. The VHS project focused on preserving the school’s history and pursuing a designation as a historic landmark on the state historic registry.

High School students have the option to attend classes on different campuses to take courses in specialty areas, such as culinary or STEM (science, technology, engineering and math.)

Chilton County High School also offers Advanced Placement courses.

Preschool classes have been added at every school through the state First Class Preschool program.

High school students have the opportunity to take a number of dual enrollment opportunities through the Chilton-Clanton campus of Jefferson State Community College. Classes range from English to EMT Basic training.

Many juniors and seniors in high school choose to pursue hands-on training and certifications in their field through programs at LeCroy Career Technical Center.

The center offers everything from welding and automotive work to cosmetology and nursing. 

Through the nursing program, students complete the requirements to test for certified nursing assistant and patient care technician certifications. Students learn about the fundamentals of health science, including the systems of the body, infection control, medical terminology and an overview of jobs in the field. As a part of the patient care technician training, students learn how to use the equipment used for EKGs and drawing blood.

Completing the patient care technician certification allows students to work in a nursing home or assist a nurse. Usually the program includes clinicals at a hospital, but these could not be completed in recent school years because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the Electrical and Industrial Maintenance program at LCTC, students learn to use the basic tools needed to construct, troubleshoot and maintain standard electrical circuits and systems in homes and industry settings. Field trip are usually a part of the course, so students can see what they are learning put into practice on a job site.

The center also houses the school district’s STEM Academy offering a variety of engineering, technology and robotics classes.

As a part of the simulated workforce model, students apply to the program as sophomores.

The Child Nutrition Program for Chilton County Schools has expanded to provide not only breakfast and lunch, but after-school meals and a summer meal program. The school system receives reimbursement for each meal from the USDA.

Higher Education