Awards and Recognition for Starkville

Starkville has many of the amenities and quality-of-life factors that businesses and families look for in a town. Recognition has been given by several publications.

• Named Mississippi’s Healthiest Hometown by BlueCross & BlueShield of Mississippi Foundation (2011)
• Ranked 3rd as a “university town that has its act together” in the 17-state southern U.S. region (Southern Business and Development)
• Cited as a Top 10 location in the South for emerging growth companies (Southern Business and Development)
• Selected as one of the top 40 cities to be recognized as a “Smart Growth” city by a national EPA publication
• Voted top 100 small community in terms of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses
• Recognized as one of the most affordable and best value college towns in the nation (CNN.com, 2006)

The Oktibbeha County School District professional staff of 90 serves more than 900 students at four schools:

• East Oktibbeha County Elementary School
• West Oktibbeha County Elementary School
• East Oktibbeha County High School
• West Oktibbeha County High School

Achievements

The District has accomplished much in recent years. All four of the schools have met the goals associated with the Mississippi Subject Area Testing Program and the Mississippi Curriculum Test. These scores met the school’s requirements through the No Child Left Behind program in all content areas.

The district has received a $6,000 increase in federal funds for academic and support programs to address barriers to education. A $900,000 Reading First continuation grant allows the two elementary schools to continue their efforts to close the “readiness gap” of early elementary students by the end of the third grade.

The system has received $538,802 in 21st Century Community Learning Center funds to support students in grades 7 through 12 by enhancing after-school and extended-year programs. A grant of $11,500 will enable the District to continue implementing the GEAR UP program at each of its two high schools. The program is designed to provide exposure and enrichment experiences that increase students’ chances of continuing their education after high school.

Oktibbeha County Head Start

The Oktibbeha County Head Start Center provides preschool learning experiences for up to six 3- and 4-year-olds to help ensure their success when they enter the public school system. The Center’s facilities are located at 1617 Louisville Street (MS Hwy 25 South) in Starkville. For information, call (662) 324-1508.

Starkville Academy

An independent, co-educational, college preparatory school, the Starkville Academy provides a challenging educational program for a diverse body of approximately 700 students from preK (for 4-year-olds) through grade 12. It was established in 1969.

The Academy’s curriculum is designed to prepare students for college, and its approximately 58 faculty members have strong credentials in their areas of expertise. Honors and advanced placement opportunities are available in English and mathematics. The Athletic Department oversees a wide variety of age-appropriate competitive interscholastic sports teams.

Starkville Academy has many extracurricular activities for students. The band program has received all superior scores since 1995. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in many sports programs, such as football, basketball, baseball, fast-pitch softball, soccer, track, tennis, cross country, and swimming. Cheerleading and dance teams are also a part of the extracurricular offerings.

Accolades and Awards

Accreditation and Teachers

• Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and two other accreditation boards
• Holds the highest accreditation ratings attainable by these boards
• Fifty-eight faculty members, all with credentials in their areas of expertise

Test Score and Scholarships

• Mean ACT score of students averaged 20.6 to 23.4
• Ninety-nine percent of students attend post-secondary schools
• Graduates are offered between $250,000 to $500,000 in scholarships annually

Starkville Christian School

A faith-based learning environment is provided by the Starkville Christian School, offering quality educational programs for students from preK (4-year-olds) through high school. The school opened in 1996 with nine students and two teachers in a local church but now occupies two buildings and has 16 teachers plus the principal and five other staff members.

The entire student body meets each morning for prayer, singing, and pledges. The students interact daily with children of other ages to encourage modeling and mentoring by older students. A low student-to-teacher ratio enhances opportunities for learning.

The Starkville School District has an enrollment of over 4,000 students and graduates an average of 220 seniors annually. Of those graduates, over three-fourths pursue higher degrees.

To realize its vision that all students will learn, achieve, and succeed, the District operates six schools plus a vocational education center, a family-centered learning program, and an environmental learning center to serve Starkville students from kindergarten through 12th grade:

• Sudduth Elementary School – grades K , 1, & 2
• Henderson Ward Stewart Intermediate School – grades 3, 4 & 5
• Armstrong Middle School – grades 6, 7, & 8
• Starkville High School – grades 9 – 12

With more than 120 courses including 8 advanced-placement courses at Starkville High School, a comprehensive research-based reading program in grades K–3, and a preschool program that begins at six weeks of age, students are challenged academically. They are also competitive in athletics and in visual and performing arts, and they have opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities such as the drama club, the speech and debate team, chorus, band, and dozens of other organizations.

Vocational Education

The Millsaps Career & Technology Center prepares students for high-skill, high-wage careers or for further education, or both.

Alternative School

The Overstreet School was established under the state’s Alternative School Program. It provides an opportunity for students who have been suspended or expelled from school because of discliplinary problems to continue their education in a different setting.

Family Centered Programs

The District’s Family Centered Programs are designed to encourage and support strong, healthy families in Starkville and Oktibbeha County. Year-round programs bring together children, parents, and the community to work together in such areas as service learning, tutoring, health and safety awareness, alcohol abuse prevention, adult basic education, preschool and extended day programs, and more.

Environmental Education

The Box Environmental Education Center, located on the 48,000-acre Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, is a state-of-the-art, 6,000-square-foot educational facility where youth can take part in a variety of educational programs taught by knowledgeable Center staff members, assisted as needed by Refuge staff and by Mississisippi State University faculty members.

Community Support

The Starkville School District has strong support from the community. The Starkville Foundation for Public Education strives to ensure that Starkville schools have the resources needed to provide the best possible educational opportunities for their students.

Accolades and Awards

Accreditation and Teachers

• Accredited by the Southern Association of Collegs and Schools
• Given the highest rating by the Mississippi Commission on School Accreditation
• Eighty full-time teachers
• Fifty-nine teachers are National Board Certified
• Nationally recognized fine arts program

Faculty, Student, and Staff Awards and Recognitions

• Mississippi Teacher of the Year
• Mississippi Administrator of the Year
• Disney National Teacher Award
• John K. Bettersworth History Teacher of the Year
• Thad Cochran Distinguished Arts Educator of the Year Award
• Christa McAuliffe Fellowship
• Milken Award
• Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics
• Governor’s Award for Excellence in Art Education
• Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Creative Teaching Award

Test Scores and Scholarships

• A senior received a perfect score on the ACT in 2006, one of only 23 students in the nation to do so.
• The class of 2006 received more than $2 million in scholarship offers, representative of the value offered to graduates each year

If you’re looking for just the right place to enjoy your retirement years, you’re not likely to find anywhere as pleasant and affordable as Starkville, Mississippi. Because of the university presence, there is a congenial blending of ages, with each age group contributing its own kind of energy. The people here are welcoming, friendly, and committed to their community.

That commitment has led to advantages you won’t find in many other communities the size of Starkville. As a college town, it maintains a nice balance between town and gown, offering all the advantages of a vibrant business community, attractive residential neighborhoods, and the many sporting events, concerts, plays, museums, and galleries of Mississippi State University.

Low Cost of Living

• Average home price of $118,900
• Low property taxes, with a substantial exemption for those over 65
• 2009 Cost of Living Index 87.7, compared to the United States 100.0
• Learn more about the cost of living in Starkville

Safe, Friendly Community with a Moderate Climate

• Low crime rate, about 60% of the national average
• Warm climate with short winters
• Warm, welcoming community
• Active community of seniors
• An increasingly walkable and bikeable community

Quality Health Care

• Oktibbeha County Hospital (OCH) is located in Starkville
• OCH offers care in 11 medical specialties including urology and pulmonology
• OCH additional medical services include diabetes management, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, pain management, and more
• OCH wellness center has special programs for older adults
• Seven assisted living and nursing home facilities
• Six home health care, assistance, and hospice service providers
• Learn more about health care in Oktibbeha County

Abundant Recreational Opportunities

• SEC collegiate sporting events plus local school competitions
• Theatrical and musical performances, festivals, and craft shows
• High-quality indoor and outdoor fitness and sports facilities
• A wide range of shopping opportunities and restaurants
• Nearby state and federal parks and refuges
• Learn more about things to do in Starkville

Continuing Education and Community Interaction

• Missisippi State University’s Personal Enrichment Courses
• OCH and OCH Wellness Center classes including CPR certification
• Starkville Senior Enrichment Center classes and activities
• Variety of civic organizations including Rotary, Starkville Area Arts Council, Starkville Reads, Lions Club, and more
• Clubs for every hobby including bridge, knitting, and square dancing
• Active church community

Easy Transportation in Town and Out of Town

• Golden Triangle Regional Airport is a 20-minute drive from Starkville
• Service by two taxi companies is available
• GTPDD offers free transportation to medical appointments for seniors
• Four-lane highway and Interstate access to major cities of Birmingham, Memphis, and New Orleans
• MSU offers shuttle services during SEC sporting events

Welcoming, Affordable, and Safe

Life in Starkville proceeds at a comfortable pace, but there’s always plenty to do. You might enjoy golf or an art class in the morning, a luncheon at one of the many good restaurants, and a play or concert in the evening.

Set in the rolling hills of northeastern Mississippi, Starkville enjoys a warm, four-season climate with brief, mild winters and long, comfortable springs and falls. Outdoor exercise is a good option nearly year round, made convenient by walkable neighborhoods, bike paths, parks, golf courses, and lakes.

If you need to watch your pennies, Starkville is a safe bet. Housing prices are reasonable and taxes are low. After you reach age 65, your property taxes will become even lower because of a special homestead exemption that deducts $75,000 from the assessed valuation of your home.

The crime rate in Starkville is low, running about 60 percent of the national average. The rate of violent crimes is especially low. You can feel safe both about yourself and your property.

Excellent Health Care Options

Affordable, high quality health care is available in Starkville and the surrounding areas. Oktibbeha County Hospital (OCH) Regional Medical Center, located in Starkville, meets the majority of the community’s medical needs, including competent, rapid response in emergency situations.

The OCH HealthPlex brings together the services of cardiac rehabilitation and physical rehabilitation units with the Wellness Connection, where community members of all ages participate in exercise programs designed to build and sustain fitness. Many classes are offered, including some specially tailored to help older adults cope with conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

More advanced treatment capabilities are available at world-renowned medical facilities nearby, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson and the UAB-Birmingham Health System.

Close to Major Cities with Quick and Easy Access to Transportation

Once you retire to Starkville, you may never want to leave. But if you do find the need to travel, Starkville has convenient access to three large cities by four-lane and Interstate highway. You can drive to Memphis or Birmingham in under 3 hours and to New Orleans in 5. If you prefer to fly, it’s a 20-minute drive to the Golden Triangle Regional Airport, where you can fly to major hubs for continuation flights to your destination.

A Certified Retirement City

Starkville is designated a Certified Retirement City by Mississippi’s Hometown Retirement Program. To achieve that designation, a city must be able to demonstrate that it offers the features most sought by retirees:

• an affordable cost of living
• a low crime rate
• quality medical care
• recreational opportunities
• educational opportunities
• a warm and welcoming community

Because Starkville has received this certification, you can be assured it offers all of the above and more.

For families, singles, and retirees, the Starkville community and adjacent Mississippi State University (MSU) offer an abundance of places to see, events to attend, and activities to enjoy.

The opportunities cover a multitude of interests from SEC sporting events, participatory sports, outdoor recreation, tours, rodeos, historical sites and buildings, and festivals to concerts, art galleries, and museums – and, of course, a wide range of shopping and dining options. Well-maintained city and county parks provide convenient venues for many activities.

For details, select from the links below.

• Sports
• Art and Culture
• Historic Sites
• Outdoor Recreation
• Festivals and Events
• City and County Parks
• Museums
• Tours
• Dining
• Shopping
• Downtown Starkville

Mississippi State University

Located immediately adjacent to Starkville, Mississippi State University (MSU) embraces the tradition of land-grant universities nationwide in its devotion to teaching, research, and public service. It is the largest of the eight institutions in the state’s public university system.

MSU grants degrees at all collegiate levels, including the doctorate. More than 80 majors are offered at the undergraduate level, 65 at the master’s level, and around 50 at the doctoral level. It has particular strengths in

• engineering
• agriculture
• forestry
• life sciences
• business and industry
• veterinary medicine

The university enrolls nearly 18,000 students annually on its main campus at Starkville and satellite campus in Meridian. They are served by more than 1,300 faculty members. The university awards about 3,700 degrees each year, of which over 100 are doctoral degrees. For full details, see the Mississippi State University Factbook.

Recognizing that people’s need for learning never ends, MSU’s Division of Academic Outreach and Continuing Education offers noncredit courses and programs for adult learners in categories such as professional development, personal enrichment, and safety and the environment. Many courses are offered via distance learning technologies, and some qualify for credit in the form of continuing education units (CEUs).

MSU has a strong commitment to outreach programs, focused on applying faculty expertise and university research capabilities to help businesses improve efficiency and resolve problems.

Mississippi University for Women

Located about 25 miles east of Starkville in the city of Columbus, Mississippi University for Women (MUW) is ranked as one of the top southern public master’s degree universities but has the feel of a small private college. The 12-to-1 ratio of students to faculty helps ensure that each of the 2,400 students has the support needed to succeed.

Founded as the first public college for women in the United States, it has been a coeducational institution since 1982. More than 50 majors and concentrations, including preprofessional programs, are offered by the university’s four colleges:

• Business
• Education and Human Sciences
• Nursing and Speech Language Pathology
• Arts and Sciences

The university also offers lifelong learning programs for adult and nontraditional students and operates the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship to assist individuals who want to start or enhance their business.

East Mississippi Community College – Golden Triangle

At its Golden Triangle campus just 19 miles northeast of Starkville, East Mississippi Community College provides university transfer and technical programs for young adults as well as older, nontraditional learners.

East Mississippi serves more than 4,000 students in its six-county service area, which includes the main campus in Scooba, Mississippi. Because of the high quality of education offered and the supportive environment, nearly 70 percent of college freshmen in Mississippi enroll in one of the state’s 15 community colleges.

New and existing businesses rely heavily on the college’s Workforce Development Service Division, which designs and conducts training to meet specific needs of business and industry. The college also offers Adult Basic Education programs leading to the GED diploma, and it provides valuable training to people who are preparing to make a shift to a new career track.

Public education in Starkville and Oktibbeha County is provided by two school systems, one serving residents of Starkville and the other serving students in other parts of the county. Two private schools also offer elementary and secondary education to students within the city limits.

• Starkville Public Schools
• Private Schools
• Oktibbeha County Schools