|
Residents in Nelson County have a strong commitment to quality education for all ages. Three school districts provide elementary and secondary education for our youth. St Catherine College hosts a satellite campus in Bardstown for post-secondary opportunities and other colleges and universities mentioned earlier are just a short drive from Bardstown. In addition, Elementary and secondary education in Nelson County has high standards and a long tradition of excellence. St. Joseph Parish operates two schools, St. Joseph Elementary and Bethlehem High School. Bethlehem High School offers the only Catholic secondary education in the Archdiocese of Louisville outside Jefferson County. Bethlehem is also the oldest continually existing school in the state of Kentucky. It has been educating the youth of Central Kentucky since 1819.
The Nelson County School System consists of schools located on campuses scattered throughout the county. More than 4,700 students are enrolled in the district. The 2004-2005 school year saw the opening of two new school buildings. The populations of Chaplin Elementary and Eli H. Brown Jr. Elementary were combined to form Bloomfield Elementary School, and Old Kentucky Home Middle School moved to a new building. Old Kentucky Home Intermediate, a new school, took occupancy of the middle school's previous location. Plans are in development for the construction of a new building in Boston, a K-8 facility, to open in 2006. Students enrolled at the Nelson County Area Technology Center are provided the opportunity for transition into advanced programs, development of employability readiness, and leadership skills, while incorporating practicable application of academic skills.
The Bardstown Independent School District offers education to students from three years old to the Adult Learning Center opened in 1990. Their mission statement highlights the importance of life long learning through a meaningful and challenging teaching environment. Programs are focused on helping our students realize their dreams for a rewarding and productive life by promoting the continuing pursuit of knowledge, the development of critical thinking skills, and the nurturing of values - all of which are essential to their success as citizens in the global village of the 21st century.
Adult education is also a high priority in Nelson County with high standards for quality training and education. NELCO Training is a group of key businesses who have joined together to form a non-profit corporation for the purpose of providing training in a cost effective manner. They work in a cooperative environment with government and education to provide training opportunities. NELCO has formed a partnership with Nelson County Area Technology Center and the Adult Learning Center to provide coordination of training services.
There are over 40 colleges and universities within 60 miles of Bardstown. Another 16 facilities offer technical training opportunities. All total, over 100,000 students find outstanding educational programs within a short distance of Nelson County.
|
