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Lauderdale County School District is the 13th largest in the state of Mississippi. The school district's mission statement reflects its interest in the well-being of all children, "We believe all children can learn. We will educate all children so they can become competent, contributing members of society." Seventy-five percent of the students in the district continue their education past high school, and over one-third of the teachers have advanced degrees. Four teachers have achieved national board certification and six teachers are candidates for this advanced certification. The teacher/student ratio is 1:24, contributing to a close-knit environment within the schools.
C·R·E·A·T·E for Mississippi's Core School in the district is West Lauderdale Middle School, part of the West Lauderdale High School and Middle School complex that comprises twenty-three buildings on a 15-acer site located in Collinsville, Mississippi. The schools include 5th through 12th grades. While in school, students at West Lauderdale have the opportunity to participate in a variety of academic activities including Science Fair, Scholars' Bowl, Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Math and Science Competition, and Reading Fair. Parents are actively involved in the schools' activities through such support groups as the Athletic Booster Organization, the Band Booster Organization, and the High School and Middle School Parent-Teacher Organization. Approximately 1200 students currently attend West Lauderdale.
The school mascot is a Knight, and the school colors are red, black, and white. Representing those colors, the West Lauderdale Soccer team has played for the State Championship for 3 years in a row. The baseball team is also defending the state title and holds a record of 10 state championships. Many of West Lauderdale's players have become professional athletes including Jamie Brown, Dennis Hopson, Jody Hurst, Jeremy Jackson, Paul Phillips, and Jay Powell. In 2001 the softball team won the state championship in slow pitch. The cheerleading squad became state champs in 2002, a first in the history of the school. Students at West Lauderdale have the opportunity to experience excellence in academics and athletic activities.
The town of Collinsville where the high school and middle school are located has a population of approximately 1,364. It is situated in the northwest corner of Lauderdale County; as the crow flies it is 82 miles from Jackson, the state capital. The town is located near Okatibbee Water Park, a 360-acre park with facilities that include camping and picnicking areas, hiking trails, boating and fishing as well as a swimming area with a water slide. Collinsville is also home to the Lively Arts Festival, the Annual Chicken Fry and the Jay Powell Baseball Camp.
Citizens are active in community organizations such as the Collinsville Homemaker Volunteers Club, the Collinsville Community Development Club, and the Lions Club. Although the Collinsville area is the fastest growing part of Lauderdale County, there are still connections to the past with many homes in the community dating back to as early as 1885. The citizens of Collinsville have challenged themselves to remember their past but to make Collinsville an even better place to live in the future.
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