History

History

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E. E Bass School, Former High School

"Greenville Arts Council and Delta Center Stage" now occupying building

Greenville established its first public schools in 1866, the year the city was rebuilt after its destruction during the Civil War. In 1884 a separate municipal school district was created.

Greenville Public Schools "Firsts"

	Greenville High School graduated the first class from a public high school in Mississippi in 1890.
	Greenville High School was the only school in Mississippi offering laboratory work in the sciences in 1888.
	Physical Education was made a part of the curriculum in 1899, the first time such a program was offered in a state public school.
	In 1905, public school music and a kindergarten were provided by the Greenville School Board (first within the state).
	A plan for teacher sick leave, probably the first in Mississippi, was inaugurated in 1898.
	The Greenville school system encouraged a professional improvement program for teachers in 1904; the cafeteria program placed in operation in Greenville in 1912, was one of the first, if not THE first in Mississippi.
	Greenville High School was admitted to what is now the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1902. The school was first in the state and third in the entire nation. In the 108 years since it was organized, the district has been served by only eight superintendents, all recognized for the educational leadership and innovations. The Greenville Public School District enrolls approximately 9,000 students and ranks second among municipal school districts and 6th among all districts in the state in pupil population. The district operates eleven neighborhood elementary schools (pre-K through 6), two junior high schools (7-8), one high school (9-12) with two campuses, a county-wide technical complex, and an alternative school. The district was a regional leader in implementing the "Writing to Read" program for early childhood education. The district offers courses through the Distance Learning Program for advanced subjects.

Community

The Greenville Public School District has strong community involvement through the extensive business and industry participation in the Adopt-a-School program.

Curriculum

The Greenville Public School District provides a balanced curriculum emphasizing basic skills, an
opportunity for acceleration and enrichment, and preparation for college entrance and for the world of work.

Our commitment to excellence is shown by the Honors Program offered in each elementary school, the Gifted and Talented centers at two elementary levels, the Challenge Curriculum for junior high students, the Advanced Placement courses at the high school level, compensatory programs, and Special Education programs throughout the school district.

In 1990-91, the district expanded its high school schedule to a seven-period day to allow students to take additional college preparatory or technical courses. Greenville Public School District has computer labs throughout the system and was among the first to pioneer Writing-to-Read.

In 1996-97, Greenville Public School District changed the high school schedule from a seven-period day to a 4 x 4 Block Schedule to allow opportunities for students to sign up for college preparatory or technical courses.

Students shall have a minimum of 28 Carnegie units of course work (26 in some cases for technical students) to be eligible for graduation.

Accreditation

Greenville was one of the earliest districts to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The junior high and high schools continue to be fully
accredited by SACS. All schools in our district are accredited by the
Mississippi State Department of Education.