Jefferson

County Schools

The COVID-19 Pandemic has shown that schools are more than buildings. They play many important roles in the communities they serve. Schools are places of learning, safety, and support for both children and the community.   Schools play a role in strengthening our local economy and in serving as centers for civic engagement.    

Jefferson County voters showed their vision of the important role of schools when they voted Nov. 3, 2020, to approve the $43,732,971 Bond that includes funding for a new Ranson Elementary School and a new Shepherdstown Elementary School. We have spent more than 3 years planning and working towards this moment.  From land purchase to planning committees to surveys to public demonstration forums.   As the moment has finally arrived, we want to continue to check-in and ensure that the feedback we have received to date continues to represent what these historic communities want and need from their schools. Please join Jefferson County Schools as we prioritize plans for these new facilities that will help carry Ranson and Shepherdstown into the future for generations to come.

Feedback from Previous Input

• STEAM Labs - (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) STEAM labs serve as an extension to the science/math curricula offering practical and hands-on activities
• In-school Mental Health Support Space - private areas for individual and group counseling, quiet space, calming rooms
• Makerspace - collaborative space that can be used by all schools in Jefferson County
• Virtual Learning Support - physical space to help students who choose to receive virtual instruction
• Greater Community Access - more shared facilities/space with the community
• Shared Community Sports & Recreation Space - done in partnership with the Jefferson County Parks and Rec Commission
• Energy-Efficient Schools - LEED Certified or net-zero school

Building the Future

The elementary schools in Ranson and Shepherdstown have been part of the educational experience for generations of Jefferson County Citizens, and we honor that history even as we look to the future. The new schools must meet the unique needs of the communities they serve while preparing for future generations.

There are a lot of options available, so to help get you started please visit the Exploration & Ideas Page here. These ideas may spark your own imagination about what is possible so you can share those thoughts with us as we move forward together.

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