Education
The Weakley County school system is governed by a 9 member school board (elected by the district) and an appointed director of schools. Approximately 5000 students are served by 12 schools: one primary school, two elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, two (K-8) combined schools, two K-12 schools, and a Center for Adult and Continuing Education. A building program has resulted in construction of new facilities and renovation of existing ones. In addition to the University of Tennessee at Martin, which is located in Weakley County, there are five universities, three community colleges, and four technology centers located within a 50 mile radius of the county.
Dresden Elementary School:
Grades K-4, average student population of approximately 450 students. Accelerated Reading and Math Programs. Art Program and Honor Choir available. Character Education and Citizen of the Month/Year awards. One of the finest outdoor classrooms in Tennessee. www.des.weakleyschools.com
Dresden Middle School:
Grades 5-8, average student population of approximately 400 students. Activities include Student Council, Beta Club, Writing Club, and Annual Staff. Athletics include football, boys and girls basketball, girls softball, and cheerleading.www.dms.weakleyschools.com
Dresden High School:
Grades 9-12, average student population of approximately 400 students. A strong college-preparatory curriculum includes high level courses such as Spanish III, Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Biology II, college-bound English, and Physics. Five vocational/technical clusters include Agriculture, Business/Marketing, Family and Consumer Science, Health Science Technology, and Integrated Systems Technology. Activities include numerous clubs, Student Council, band, cheerleading, and TSSAA-sanctioned sports including football, golf, basketball, baseball, and softball.www.dhs.weakleyschools.com
Center for Adult and Continuing Education:
Adult education available to all residents. GED, Family First, Adult High School, and literacy classes. Post high school classes including the Licensed Practical Nurse Program, Certified Nursing Assistant training, Business Systems Technology Course, and Auto Mechanics. Linkages with area Technology Centers and Community Colleges.www.alc.weakleyschools.com
Higher Education
UT Martin – www.utm.edu
A campus of The University of Tennessee System is located in Martin, TN. UT Martin offers undergraduate degrees in 80 different fields of study, as well as Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Accounting, Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Agicultural Operations Management. UT Martin also operates an Office of Extended Campus and Online Studies, which offers both degree and non-degree programs, as well as online courses, to the community.
The offices of UT Online are housed at UT Martin, and serves thousands of students all across the State, as well as the country, in numerous online degree programs.
UT Martin serves approximately 8,000 students by focusing on high-quality undergraduate education as its primary mission. UT Martin is the only four-year public university in West Tennessee outside Memphis.
Union University – www.uu.edu
Union University traces its roots to three antebellum Tennessee schools-West Tennessee College and its predecessor, Jackson Male Academy, both located at Jackson, and of Union University, located at Murfreesboro. Union is currently the oldest school affiliated with Southern Baptist life. Union currently has over 4,000 students from 40 states and 35 countries. Union also has dozens of programs of study, including numerous graduate programs.
Bethel University – www.bethelu.edu
Bethel University is located in McKenzie, TN, and is a private 4-yr university affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have approximately 2,600 students, and they offer 28 undergraduate degrees and 5 masters degrees.
Community Colleges
There are several 2-yr community colleges in the area.
Dyersburg State – www.dscc.edu
Jackson State – www.jscc.edu
