These are days of hope, hard work, and high expectations for Rutherford County Schools. Teachers and administrators are proving again and again that they are willing to go the extra mile in making the local public schools better than ever.The Rutherford County School System makes a strong effort to prepare students for life after high school, regardless of whether they are college-bound or headed directly for the work world. The school system follows the state's Standard Course of Study. Within the framework of the state's new ABC Plan for School Improvement, each school is allowed to be creative and experiment with new ideas in order to provide the best education possible.Rutherford County Schools is governed by a seven-member Board of Education. Enrollment in Rutherford County Schools is approximately 9,000 students. There are four high schools, three middle schools, and eleven elementary schools. The system also has pre-school programs, after school care programs, a middle grade alternative program, and a high school alternative program.Rutherford County Schools makes a strong effort at preparing all students for life after high school, regardless of whether they are college-bound or headed directly for the work world. Advanced Placement courses are offered in the schools as well as computer education. (All schools are equipped with computer labs.) Rutherford County Schools was among the first school systems in the state to implement a promotion standards/student accountability policy. This policy is an effort to unite the parent, student, and school to develop each student's academic potential to the fullest. It will ultimately lead to rising achievement levels of all students while reducing the occurrence of a wide range of performance levels in an individual classroom.Rutherford County's Parents as Teachers program began in 1988. This was the first program in the state. Rutherford County was also the first Parents as Teachers training center in North Carolina. (The only other training center is in Wake County.)Rutherford County Schools is in the midst of a multi-million dollar building/renovation program. By July 2001, more than $80 million had been spent in Rutherford County on building and renovating school facilities since the early 1990's. The building program has allowed the school system to move toward a true K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade organization; is removing children from outdated facilities; and is believed to create a better environment for learning.At the elementary grade level, teachers are putting forth more effort at making learning a hands-on experience for children and encouraging interaction in the classroom in addition to more traditional learning methods. This helps make the children active rather than passive learners.All 6-8 students are in middle schools, which provide for team teaching, specialized guidance, and more variety in exploratory and extra-curricular activities. The middle schools also help students succeed in making the transition to high school.All three high schools are now on the "4 x 4" block schedule. With this, classes last longer than in the past, but there are fewer classes during the day, and each course is completed in one semester. The "4 x 4" promotes more experience-based learning.The Rutherford County Schools care about all students-preschool through high school, the academically gifted as well as the academically challenged, and those with special needs. Creativity and innovation are promoted and embraced throughout the district. The school system is continually seeking ways to better serve all students.