EDUCATION
UNIVERSITIES/VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS--Malden is the home of the Harry L. Crisp Bootheel Education Center (BEC) (573-276-4577, 888-213-4601, or rhux@semo.edu), which provides quality post-secondary education opportunities to residents of the Bootheel and the surrounding area. The BEC is a regional campus of Southeast Missouri State University using the slogan of “Not Too Far…To Go Far”.
The BEC has provided a model for the delivery of educational services to other institutions in the state since opening the doors of its current site in January 1988. Courses that have been included on the schedule reflect an increase in students desiring a four-year degree as well as those desiring an associate degree. The Bootheel Regional Campus in Malden offers many benefits:
- Students may enroll part-time or full-time
- Financial Aid is available
- University-level instruction, including full-time faculty
- Free student computer workshops, reasonable tuition, cost and fees,
free parking and no general fees - Facilities with state-of-the-art science labs and technology
- On-site, professional staff that provide personal advising and guidance
- Southeast A+ Program equivalent to the state A+ scholarship program
- BEC Campus scholarships in excess of $60,000 each year
- Student support services including free tutoring, open computer labs with assistants on duty, complete library services and on-site textbook services
- Evening Classes
- Career counseling, including the development of job-searching skills
- Web-enhanced classes
With an average class size of 20 students, over 90 sections of college credit courses are offered in both day and evening sessions. Instructors provide a supportive learning environment to the more than 200 students enrolled each semester. Current BEC Programs Include: Bachelor of Science in General Studies, B.S. in Early Childhood Education, B.S. in Elementary Education, B.S. in Middle School Education, Teaching Assistant/Substitute Teacher Certification Program, M.A. in Secondary Education, and additional courses in Criminal Justice, Nursing and Social Work.
| THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SERVES MALDEN AREA STUDENT |
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Three Rivers Community College provides affordable quality college courses and career and technical training close to home for Malden area residents. Courses are offered at the college’s Poplar Bluff campus, at the TRCC Center at Malden and at other locations throughout Southeast Missouri. In addition, TRCC collaborates with area businesses and industries to for training consortiums to provide cost-effective employee training.
TRCC offers the same freshman and sophomore college courses as four-year universities at about one-third the cost. Day, evening and weekend classes and Web courses fit busy schedules. TRCC’s open admission policy means anyone with a High School Diploma or GED can enroll.
The TRCC Center at Malden, located at 2203 Narvel Felts Blvd., offers a broad range of courses in a facility that includes a sate-of-the-art science laboratory and a computer lab. TRCC at Malden staff can help students with registration, testing, course selection and applying for financial aid. There is a bookstore and access to TRCC’s library services.
For information on Three Ricers Community College, call toll-free, 1-877-TRY-TRCC or visit the website www.trcc.edu. To contact TRCC at Malden, call 573-276-3529.
Area students may also attend the Vocational-Technical Schools that are located in New Madrid and Kennett. These vocational schools offer courses in accounting, power/diesel mechanics, air conditioning/refrigeration, building trades, business data processing, health occupations, clothing/textiles, welding, auto mechanics, electricity-electronics, graphics, agriculture, auto body, machine shop, institutional food services, and office technology.
PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOLS-- The Malden R-1 School District http://malden.k12.mo.us is fully accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education which serves approximately 1070 students in northernmost Dunklin County including the City of Malden. The curriculum provides its students with a wide range of educational opportunities which prepares them for employment of further education. The district participates in the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) where we have been recognized as a Top Ten Most Improved School for two years running.
The district is constantly reviewing its curriculum and assessment outcomes to determine what changes are needed to constantly improve instruction within the district. In 2005-06 the district introduced a new reading program in grades K - 6 which has shown remarkable success. For the 2006-07 school year the district has added the position of Academic Coach in the elementary to further improve the instructional program. In the high school, the district has realigned the curriculum to put a much greater emphasis on those students planning to go on to college, while not forgetting that some students will move into the world of work following high school.
The district continues to make a concerted effort to maintain low student teacher ratios. In the 2005-06 school year our ratio of students to classroom teachers was 16:1. Well below the state average of 19:1. In addition, over 40% of our teaching staff have advanced degrees.
The district has been approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the A+ Program. Through this program, students meeting certain criteria will qualify for the first two years of schooling following high school tuition free to certain junior colleges and technical schools through out the State of Missouri.
An exceptional program is in place for special needs students. The Malden R-I School District in addition to district students, provides services for special needs students of surrounding school district through its special education cooperative. Also housed with this program is our Parents As Teachers Program, our Pre-School Program for four year olds which is offered free of charge and our Early Childhood Special Education Program for students with special needs who are three and four year olds.
Currently the district is going through a building project. With district funds a building and parking area connecting two elementary schools has just been completed. In June of 2006, the district patrons passed a two million dollar bond issue with a 77% majority. These funds will be used to construct a new multipurpose building for the elementary, remodel existing space for a new elementary cafeteria and remodel existing space for a new elementary library. In addition, the district will be using some of these funds for a new baseball and softball complex. All of this was done without a tax increase to the voters. The district continues to maintain its $3.43 levy which is recommended by the State of Missouri in order to provide a quality education.
If you would like more information about the Malden R-I School District or would like a tour of its facilities, please contact the Central Office at 573-276-5794.
Private Schools in our area include Catholic School and a Baptist School.
BOOTHEEL YOUTH MUSEUM-- The Bootheel Youth Museum opened in March 1996 after seven years of planning and preparation and is the only facility of its kind between Memphis, Tennessee and St. Louis, Missouri. This 10,000 square foot, hands-on museum became a reality through the support of community and business leaders. The Jean Provance Children's Theatre was added in April 1999 for presentations of theatrical/musical events. These events are primarily funded by both the Malden Concert Association and the Missouri Arts Council. In 2002, This Island Mars was added and features a 24' long space station, mission control, virtual-reality exhibit, mission briefing room, and more. The museum's mission is to create unique, educational programs and exhibits for children, adults and families. The museum gives children a chance to interact with exhibits that: stimulate curiosity; provide social interaction; motivate learning; and create feelings of success. The primary focus of the museum is to provide the children of Southeast Missouri with extended learning opportunities in the fields of math, science and technology, human relations, and the arts.
Bootheel Youth Museum