Taylor County School District is located in south central Campbellsville, Ky. and serves over 2,500 P-12 students. Superintendent Roger Cook is in his third year of service. The district encompasses four schools; Taylor County Virtual Charter School, led by Principal William Mattingly, Taylor County High School, led by Principal Charles Higdon, Taylor County Middle School, led by Principal Cherry Harvey, and Taylor County Elementary, where Brian Clifford serves as principal.
The Taylor County School District’s mission is to provide an equal opportunity for all children to reach their maximum potential. Under Cook’s leadership, schools began participating in a Performance Based Education model – teachers do not teach grades, they teach students. The district’s acceleration policy gives students opportunities to move to a higher grade level if data shows they are advanced in certain academic subjects. One of the many benefits of the model is that once students have completed their high school credits in a subject, they can begin taking college credits through the Virtual Academy at a significantly reduced rate.
Part of the Performance Based Education model is a zero-percent drop-out policy. Potential drop-outs are required to meet with their guidance counselor, as well as Cook, to create a new plan that is tailored to his or her needs. Some of the students, for example, choose to complete classes online in the Virtual Academy and find this environment is better suited to their needs.
Teachers in the district are highly trained professionals who are challenged to make learning fun, identify problems, and intervene with needed. Weekly, certified teachers participate in professional development during Early Release Fridays.
The hard work put forth by board members, administration, teachers, staff, parents and students is paying off. Recently, the district celebrated the achievement of meeting all NCLB goals in 2010-2011. Additionally, we are at the top of our region for graduation rate percentages, and just above state average on ACT scoring percentages. While we celebrate successes, we are committed to raising the bar each and every year. Thank you for support and involvement as we continuously strive to improve.