We Cultivate Knowledge.
The area’s workforce is well-educated, with 75% of the population 25 and older having earned a high school diploma or equivalent and 26% possessing a college degree.
The high-quality public education system includes a curriculum based on both academics and technical education, producing work-ready graduates.
Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) offers academic, technical, vocational, and continuing adult education. The College is tasked with workforce development training in the region.
The Southside Virginia Education Center (SVEC), located in Greensville County, provides customized training programs that meet the needs of business and industry. Pre-employment training, specialized training, and computer training programs are offered by SVCC and are designed to prepare employees with skills required by industry.
U.S. News & World Report (2013) recognized Longwood University, Farmville, as #11 in the top public schools category for regional universities in the South. Among all regional universities in the South, including private institutions, Longwood is ranked in the top tier at #33.
Longwood University and Mary Baldwin College offer educational opportunities at the SVEC.
Several two- and four-year colleges and universities in the region, offering a wide variety of Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral programs. Courses of study range from Accounting to Zoology and include everything in between.
| Higher Education Facilities - Fall 2018 | Enrollment |
|---|---|
| John Tyler Community College - Midlothian Campus | 6,865 |
| Strayer University - Chesterfield Campus | 5,894** º |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | 5,445** |
| John Tyler Community College - Chester Campus | 4,952 |
| Longwood University | 4,911 |
| University of Richmond | 4,002 |
| Stratford University - Richmond Campus | 2,282** |
| Southside Virginia Community College - John H. Daniel Campus | 2,130 |
| Southside Virginia Community College - Christanna Campus | 1,850 |
| Hampden-Sydney College | 1,072 |
| Bryant & Stratton College - Richmond Campus | 675º |
| South University - Richmond Campus | 652º |
| Sweet Briar College | 330 |
| J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College - Western Campus | 323 |
| Centura College - Richmond Main Campus | 98º |
| Southern Virginia Higher Education Center | * |
| Southside Virginia Community College - Southside Virginia Education Center Campus | ***§ |
| ECPI University - Emerywood Campus | *** |
| ECPI University - Innsbrook Campus | *** |
| ECPI University - Moorefield Campus | *** |
*Enrollment figures for all campuses.
**Enrollment figures are included in participating colleges and universities
**Enrollment figures not available
§Enrollment counted at a main campus
º Fall 2017 Enrollment
| Public School Enrollment (Fall 2018) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Level | Number | Enrollment |
| Preschoool | 1 | 114 |
| Elementary | 21 | 9,370 |
| Middle | 12 | 5,192 |
| High School | 11 | 6,175 |
| Student Teacher Ratio (FY2018) | |
|---|---|
| Elementary | 12:1 |
| Secondary | 10:1 |
| Per Pupil Expenditure (FY 2018) | |
|---|---|
| $11,637.16 |
| On-Time Graduation Rate (Class of 2018) | |
|---|---|
| 89.5% |
| High School Graduates Continuing Education (2017-2018) | |
|---|---|
| 81.9% |
| Advanced Programs (2017 - 2018) | |
|---|---|
| Governor's School Enrollment | 154 |
| Students taking 1 or more Advanced Placement (AP) Courses | 169 |
| Students taking 1 or more AP Exams | 144 |
| Students taking 1 or more Dual Enrollment Courses | 1,393 |
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