Anson County Schools

Anson County Schools
Location
Anson County, North Carolina
United States
District information
TypePublic
GradesPK–12
SuperintendentDr. Brian C. Ratliff
AccreditationsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
Schools9
Budget$ 41,424,000
NCES District ID3700180
Students and staff
Students3,282
Teachers248.47 (on FTE basis)
Staff266.57 (on FTE basis)
Student–teacher ratio15.47:1
Other information
Websitewww.ansonschools.org

Anson County Schools is a PK–12 graded school district serving Anson County, North Carolina. Its 9 schools serve 3,282 students as of the 2025-2026 school year.

History

Attempts at common schools began in Anson County as early as the mid-1700s. The Revolutionary War and its aftermath halted progress in this area for a while. Later, many academies and subscription schools abounded in the area.: 183  One of the first in the area was Wadesborough Academy which was authorized by the state legislature in 1791. Fundraising was often done by state-authorized lotteries.

Although no records exist that show when the first public schools were officially formed in the county, by 1899 there existed 50 schools for white students and 37 for black students. At that time, the school year was only about three to four months long.: 188–189  They still had 87 schools by 1912 with over 100 teachers. The school year was expanded to six months in the 1920s.: 17 

School consolidation began after World War I, culminating in the merger of Wadesboro City Schools into Anson County Schools in 1960, shortly after the consolidation of Anson High School. Bowman High School, named for former long-time superintendent J. O. Bowman opened as an integrated school in 1967,: 189–191  after originally being built to be a segregated school.

Through the 1930s to the 1950s, Anson County Schools was governed by a five-member Board of Education and was divided into six school districts. Each of these districts had a committee authorized to hire their own principals and teachers, as well as set district calendars. During this time the split year schedule was developed because of the rural, farm family demographics of the school students. The school year would start in early July and last for several weeks taking a break in mid August until after harvests were finished. The regular, longer school year would then start in late October.: 33 

Student demographics

For the 2025-2026 school year, Anson County Schools had a total population of 3,282 students and 248.47 teachers on a (FTE) basis. This produced a student-teacher ratio of 15.47:1. That same year, out of the total student population, the gender ratio was 50% male to 50% female. The demographic group makeup was: Black, 59%; White, 32%; Hispanic, 3%; Asian/Pacific Islander, 2%; and American Indian, 1% (two or more races: 3%). For the same school year, 76.59% of the students received free and reduced-cost lunches.

Governance

The primary governing body of Anson County Schools follows a council–manager government format with a nine-member Board of Education appointing a Superintendent to run the day-to-day operations of the system. The school system currently resides in the North Carolina State Board of Education's Sixth District.

Board of education

The Anson County Schools Board of Education elects seven members by district to four-year staggered terms. Two others are elected as at-large members. The board generally meets on the last Monday of each month. The current board is:

District members
At-Large members

Superintendent

The current superintendent of Anson County Schools is Dr. Brian C. Ratliff. He has been superintendent since June 1, 2024.

Member schools

Anson County Schools has eleven schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to twelfth grade. Those nine schools are separated into two high schools, one middle school, and six elementary schools.

High schools

Middle school

As of June 11, 2026 the new Anson Middle School is complete and will open to students this August for the 2026-2027 school year.

Elementary schools

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Anson County Schools". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Medley, Mary L. (1976). History of Anson County, North Carolina 1750–1976. Wadesboro, North Carolina: Anson County Historical Society.
  3. ↑ Coon, Charles L. (1915). North Carolina Schools and Academies 1790–1840. Raleigh, North Carolina: Edwards & Broughton Printing Co. pp. 1–13.
  4. 1 2 Mills, Don (1995). Anson County Heritage 1995. Wadesboro, North Carolina: Don Mills, Inc. and Anson County Heritage Book Committee.
  5. ↑ Allen, Justin. "Anson resident has seen the sweep of social change in Anson, America Read more: The Anson Record - Anson resident has seen the sweep of social change in Anson America". The Anson Record. Retrieved December 7, 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ↑ "Percentage of Students in Each Demographic Group". North Carolina’s School Report Cards. North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  7. ↑ "2010–2011". Free & Reduced Meals Application Data. NC Department of Public Instruction. Archived from the original (XLS) on April 23, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Education Districts". NC State Board of Education. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Board of Education". Anson County Schools. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  10. ↑ Cavenaugh, Abby. "Superintendent denies hunting for a new job". The Anson Record. Retrieved December 4, 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  11. ↑ "Anson County School Listing". Anson County Schools. Archived from the original on May 13, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2012.