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Education
Wise County Educational Opportunities
Public Elementary & Secondary Schools
Wise County Public Schools currently serves 5,500 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Wise County prides itself on consistently ranking in the top five among the 132 school divisions in the commonwealth for student performance on state mandated testing. A leader in education in Southwest Virginia, Wise County Schools operates 13 schools to serve its students. Each school is equipped with modern technology to enhance the teaching and learning process.
High School Consolidation & Renovation
The school system opened the doors to two new high schools, Central High School and Union High School, in 2014 following the consolidation of six high schools into three. The other school, Eastside High School, was also renovated and welcomed students in 2013. Our high school program also includes the Wise County Career-Technical Center, which is a state-of-the-art vocational school that offers a variety of course programs that include:
- Automotive Training
- Cosmetology
- Criminal Justice
- Culinary Arts
- Cybersecurity
- Drafting
- Electrical
- Nursing
- Teachers for Tomorrow, etc.
Academic & Extracurricular Pride
Wise County Schools prides itself on success in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Our school division showcases the amount of talent that is in our region. From academic accolades, athletic teams that excel, and programs in the arts whose success speaks for themselves, our talented students have the opportunity to showcase their talents at the local, regional, and state level.
Links
Wise County Public Schools invites you to browse our websites, download our app, and connect with us on social media!
Social Media
Download Our App
Appalachia / Big Stone Gap Schools
Coeburn / St. Paul Schools
Pound / Wise
Other Public Education Facilities
Private Elementary & Secondary Schools
Wise County Christian School in Wise, VA
Wise County Christian School (WCCS) is a fully accredited, inter-denominational school offering grades 4K through 12. The curriculum aims primarily to teach children Christianly while accenting a strong academic, college preparatory program.
The 4K program is targeted toward establishing readiness skills for 5K. This effort makes starting school a pleasure. In addition to academic quality, WCCS offers many opportunities through its inter-scholastic athletic program.
House of Prayer Christian School
House of Prayer Christian School is a private Christian school using the Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) program for grades kindergarten through 12th. Students use individualized curriculum and must meet minimum requirements before being placed to the next level.
Contact & Location
1209 Cumberland Avenue
P.O. Box 916
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Phone: 276-523-2800
Colleges & Universities
Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, VA
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) is recognized throughout the region as a provider of quality career and technical education. In keeping with its economic development mission, MECC offers degrees with certificates in high demand occupational and technical programs.
In addition to career counseling, students are provided opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and job placement. MECC's Center for Workforce Development, which houses the Small Business Development Center, delivers customized training services in response to business and industry needs.
University of Virginia's College at Wise
The University of Virginia (UVa) is consistently rated the top public university in the country. The University of Virginia's College at Wise is the University of Virginia's only branch. UVa was founded on Thomas Jefferson's principles of a liberal arts education, and UVa-Wise is the embodiment of Jefferson's "academical village." Inspired by Jefferson's vision, local citizens worked with the University to establish a college in the mountains in 1954.
Fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, UVa-Wise offers baccalaureate degrees in 23 liberal arts and professional programs of study. More than 1,500 students study at UVa-Wise's 350-acre main campus in Wise, at the college's UVa-Wise Abingdon location, and at various off-campus sites throughout Southwest Virginia.
Other Schools & Institutions in the Vicinity
- Appalachian School of Law (Grundy, VA)
- Norton City Schools (Norton, VA)
- Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College (Cumberland, Middlesboro and Whitesburg, KY)
- Southwest Virginia Community College (Richlands, VA)
- Southwest Virginia Higher Learning Center (Abingdon, VA)
- University of Pikeville (Pikeville, KY)
- Virginia Highlands Community College (Abingdon, VA)