Roanoke Rapids Graded School District

The Roanoke Rapids Graded School District (RRGSD) is a school district headquartered in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

Recognizing the serious need for additional educational opportunities in Roanoke Rapids, a group of residents asked the North Carolina General Assembly to grant them a charter for a school district. It was adopted February 26, 1907.

In 1908, A.E. Akers was chosen among 70 applicants as the first superintendent at an annual salary of $1,000. Akers was also required to teach the sixth and seventh grades. [1]

A bond issue to build Roanoke Rapids High School was approved in 1920. Hobart Upjohn, a noted New York architect, was chosen to design the very best possible facility for the students and the community. The new building was not quite finished when the graduation of the class of 1921 was help there. The new half million dollar high school officially opened September 16, 1921. This building, with its classic Elizabethan style, has served as a landmark in Roanoke Rapids and northeastern North Carolina.

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In 1924, the junior building was completed on the same campus.

In 1935 the district opened Clara Hearne School to serve the needs of its growing elementary aged population. The school is located on the west side of town at Eighth and Cedar Streets.

A new elementary school on the west side of town was opened in 1936 and named Vance Street School Later it was named William L. Medlin School in honor of a former, well respected Board member who had served the community well for 32 years.

In 1957 additions to all elementary schools were completed and William L Manning School was constructed with state bond money.

The school board selected Jane B. Burke as the first female superintendent. She was hired for three years beginning July 1, 1995.

The current superintendent Dain Butler was hired in 2016. Dr. Butler established the districts new mission, vision, and strategic plan in July 2017.

In January 2018, the Trustees and the Halifax County Commissioners cut the ribbon on the new Manning Elementary School.

In August 2018, RRGSD opened the district's first Early College High School in cooperation with Halifax Community College. Roanoke Rapids Early College High School will jumpstart students’ college education and career preparation by blending high school and two years of college.

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As of 2013 its student body is 70% white. The Halifax County School District and Weldon City Schools both had student bodies that were almost all of races other than non-Hispanic white.[9]

As of 2017 the racial makeup changed to 66% white, 21% black, 8% Hispanic, and 5% other.

The district's website shows the racial makeup for 2018 as: White-59%, Black-27%, Hispanic-8%, and Other-6%

Schools
  • Roanoke Rapids High School
  • Chaloner Middle School
  • Belmont Elementary School
  • Manning Elementary School
  • Clara Hearne Pre-K Center
  • Roanoke Rapids Early College High School
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References
  1. Roanoke Rapids - The First 100 Years, 1897-1997 Book
  2. "Roanoke Rapids High School Alumni & Friends". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29.
  3. "Hobart Upjohn".
  4. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED369713.pdf
  5. "Roanoke Rapids Graded School District".
  6. http://www.rrdailyherald.com/breaking_news/rrgsd-hires-new-superintendent/article_71076706-0bfe-11e6-939b-df86c3bce022.html
  7. "RRGSD Cuts the Ribbon on New Early College High". RRGSD.
  8. "Manning Ribbon Cutting". RRGSD.
  9. Boser, Ulrich (August 2013). "Size Matters: A Look at School-District Consolidation" (PDF). Center for American Progress. p. 5 (PDF p. 11/26). Retrieved 2017-07-31.
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