Running head: WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Washington Street School Elementary

Community Analysis
Washington Street School is part of the Richmond County School System and is located
at 566 E Washington Street in Rockingham, North Carolina. Richmond County Schools serve
approximately 7,700 students in the areas of Ellerbe, Hamlet, Hoffman, Norman and
Rockingham at 16 fully accredited schools (RCS, 2014). The district is comprised of 7
elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 4 secondary schools and one school for special needs
students. In order to house a prosperous collection at Washington Street Schools library, a
community analysis must be implemented in order to fully understand its patrons and the
community it serves.
Community History and Location
Richmond County, North Carolina is located in the Sandhills region of North Carolina
and is best known for its NASCAR racing and its southern historical appeal. The town
encompasses a total of 473.82 of land area in square miles and has a capacity of 98.4 persons per
square mile (United States Census Bureau, 2010). Rockingham is considered to be the southern
central section of North Carolina and is east of the Pee Dee River and borders the state of South
Carolina. This marks Richmond County 200 miles from the nearest mountains and 152 miles
from the North Carolina Coast.
Richmond County was first inhabited by Native Americans from the tribe of Saura who
first settled along the Pee Dee River (Richmond County, 2014). The tribe utilized the river for
travel purposes and as a critical resource for food and water. However, when Europeans began to
arrive in the region, the Saura became victims to diseases and warfare the Europeans carried with

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

them. German, English, Highland Scot, and Scot-Irish settlers progressed into Richmond County
after the Saura had succumbed to the illnesses and death during the Indian wars of the North
Carolina Colony (Richmond County, 2014). As time progressed, many families moved down
from Maryland, Virginia and up from South Carolina into the region. From this point on the
economy began to grow and shift from an agriculture standpoint to cotton mills that substantially
boosted the welfare of its people (Richmond County, 2007). The Richmond Mill was erected in
1833 making it the seventh cotton mill chartered in North Carolina. It operated until 1865 until it
was burned by Shermans troops and was rebuilt again in 1869 and renamed Great Falls Mill
(Richmond County, 2007). However, in 1972 it burned again and the ruins still remain. Other
cotton mills began to spring up around the county.
In 1861, railroad lines began to run through Richmond County but were halted due to the
Civil War; construction resumed in 1869. During World War I (1914), trains would load their
soldiers to carry them to different locations. As troops were passing through Richmond County,
volunteer groups would provide the soldiers with food and refreshments (RCHS, n.d.).
Railroading today in Richmond County is not as important as it used to be but is still a major
industry. The original train station that is located in Richmond County can now be found on the
National Register of Historic Buildings. Richmond County Historical Society relocated and
rennovated the old train station which now features a railroad museam that houses an extensive
collection of railroad artifacts that can be seen. The newly restored train station is now titled the
National Railroad Museum located at 23 Hamlet Avenue in Hamlet, North Carolina.

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Demographics
According to the 2010 census, the total population of Rockingham is 26,388 with 7.2% of
the population being under the age of 18 while the median age in years is 39.6 (United States
Census Bureau, 2010). The chart provided below includes the racial makeup of Richmond
County (United States Census Bureau, 2010):

Ethnicity

Richmond County

White

62.8%

Black or African American

31.1%

Hispanic/Latino

6.3%

American Indian

3.0%

Native American/Pacific

0.1%

Islander

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Economic Characteristics
The estimated median household income according to the U.S. Census Bureau (2010) is
$30,995 with 28.4% of persons living below poverty level. The number of persons unemployed
is 1,846 while the number of persons employed is 9,500. Below, the charts provided include the
number of people employed by a particular occupation and the poverty rate that Richmond
County is facing.

Occupation

Total

Poverty Rate

Employed
Management, business,

1,088

science, and arts

734

Sales and office

754

occupations

374

construction and
maintenance occupations

transportation, and
material moving
occupations

Persons 25 years and over

Persons with some college or

Service Occupations

Production,

County
22.2%

with high school diploma

occupations

Natural resources,

Richmond

451

13.3%

associates degree
Bachelors degree or higher

5.7%

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Educational Opportunities, Libraries and Museums

According to the 2010 United States Census Bureau, the total number of people who
were enrolled in school was 11,884. There were 2,163 who were enrolled in college or
undergraduate programs while there were only 219 graduate students. When compared to North
Carolina, Richmond County has a substantially lower percentage of high school and college
graduates.

Educational Levels

Richmond County

North Carolina

High School

35.5%

84.5%

8.3%

26.8%

Graduates
Bachelors Degree

Richmond County encompasses one community college (Richmond Community College)

and two universities in surrounding counties. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke,
and Wingate University both surround Richmond County, both are approximately 45 miles from
Richmond County. Richmond County houses 15 libraries and 5 museums that provide ample
information of Richmond Countys unique history.
Washington Street Elementary School Community Information
Washington Street School began as a small school that served fourth, fifth and sixth
graders of the southern section of Rockingham. The school was built in 1989 to relieve some of
the overcrowding at Leak Street School located in Rockingham as well. They opened the school
in December of 1989, in the middle of the school year. Parents dropped their children off at
Leak Street School that morning and picked their children up at Washington Street School that

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

afternoon. The switchover to the new school was now permanent. Up until 2009, Washington
Street School was one of the last counties in the state to convert the school according to the new
Pre-K through 5th. At this point in time, Washington Street School became an Elementary
School.
The Richmond County Board of Education comprises seven members and one
superintendent along with one administrative assistant. Administratively, Washington Street
School consists of one principal (Angela Watkins) and one assistant principal (Karen Allen). In
addition to the administration, support is provided through a Time-Out coordinator, guidance
counselor, social worker, and one school nurse.
Enrollment Demographics
Washington Street School houses grades Pre-K through fifth grade with approximately
524 students and 34 teachers. 48% are male while 52% are female. The average classroom size
is around 23 students (Public School Review, 2013). Below is the racial makeup of Washington
Street School:
Ethnicity

Washington Street School

North Carolina

Caucasian

45%

53%

Black or African American

42%

27%

Hispanic

6%

12%

American Indian

1%

2%

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Average Class

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

WSS

19

17

21

17

21

22

District

20

19

18

18

19

20

State

20

20

20

19

21

21

Size:

ESL/LEP Students
The number of students whose second language is English consists of around 25 pupils,
while the special education population consists of 30-35 students.
Free and/or Reduced Lunches
Washington Street Schools is considered to be a Title I school, which results from low
house hold economic levels. Listed below are the percentages of students who qualify for free
and reduced lunch (Public School Review, 2013):
Washington Street School

North Carolina

Eligible for Free Lunch

63%

64%

Eligible for Reduced Lunch

5%

8%

Standardized Test Scores

Washington Street Schools standardized test scores for the North Carolina End-of-Grade
tests showed that students at Washington performed considerably below the district and state
level (NC Report Cards, 2013).

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

OVERALL

Reading Math

Reading Math

Reading

Math

32.4%

35.2% 26.7%

33.3% 29.4%

38.8% 29.3%

35.8%

Tests Taken 71

71

90

85

246

District

31.7%

40.5% 30.9%

37.0% 31.5%

43.2% 30.4%

32.8%

State

45.2%

46.8% 43.7%

47.6% 39.5%

47.7% 43.9%

42.3%

Our School

90

85

Reading Math

246

Digital Learning Devices

The number of students per Internet-Connected Digital Learning device consists of 2.49
students while the state averages at 1.79 (Public School Review, 2013). The percentage of the
schools classrooms that are connected to the internet is 100% (Public School Review, 2013). As
of October, 2013, Richmond County School systems are allowing students to bring their own
technology into the classrooms. This is now part of a new program Richmond County Schools is
implementing. However, students must have parents permission to use the broadband
connection along with permission to bring their own devices into schools.
Faculty
Washington Street School employs 34 faculty members who are fully certified with
advanced degrees consisting of 18% of the population while 3 teachers are National Board

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

Certified (NC Report Cards, 2013). There is only a 10% turnover rate at Washington Street
School.
Faculty

Fully Licensed

Members

Advanced

National Board

Degree

Certified

WSS

34

94%

18%

District

33

96%

23%

State

34

99%

30%

Library Mission
It is Washington Street Schools overall mission to provide a quality education through
shared responsibility in a safe supportive environment for all students to meet the challenges of a
global society. The school librarys mission is as follows: The Library Media Program at
Washington Street School is committed to the development of 21st century learning so that
students are able to prosper inside as well as outside of the classroom. The library staff makes it
their priority to help students achieve academically, acquire the skills necessary for rapidly
changing technology, cultivate literature appreciation, and encourage social responsibility
(Long, 2014).
Washington Street School offers a huge up-to-date library with all of the latest
technology. The Media Center provides students with the opportunity to use a set of 30 iPads
along with a computer lab that is complete with Smart Board technology. It houses a common
area complete with tables and chairs that enables multiple classrooms to utilize its space.
Washington Street School provides students with 200 computers, all of which are networked and

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

able to connect to the internet. In addition, each classroom is equipped with Smart Boards which
enable teachers to instruct using interactive visuals and are also used as a whiteboard/blackboard
for teachers. With technology evolving, Washington Street School is continuing to make
changes in order to provide the best education possible for its students as well as staff. The
principal is now in the process of implementing iPads into the 5th grade classrooms so each
student is provided with technology that will assist in 21st century learning.
Conclusion
In obtaining data for this assignment, I am now better able to understand the community
as well as the school I serve. By studying statistical information as well as information from a
key informant, I am able to understand how the library in which I work can better serve its
community. Washington Street Schools library housed many books that allowed me to piece
together the mission statement as well as provide the history of Washington Street School.
According to Bishop (2013), Information gathered in a community analysis and through needs
assessments should be major influences for collection development and the school library
program (p. 25). Collection development is an interconnected process; a school librarian must
know his/her community as well as the patrons served in order to develop a collection that
fulfills their needs and interests.

WASHINGTON STREET MEDIA CENTER COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

References
Bishop, K. (2013). The Collection Program in Schools: Concepts and practices. Santa
Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.
Long, B. (2014). Cyberschool & IES, Inc.. Retrieved February 2, 2014. From
http://www.richmond.k12.nc.us/WSES/
North Carolina Report Cards (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.ncreportcards.org/src/schDetails.jsp?Page=4&pSchCode=370&pLEACode=7
70&pYear=2012-2013
Public School Review (2013). Retrieved from
http://www.publicschoolreview.com/school_ov/school_id/60314
Richmond County (2007). Retrieved from
http://www.richmondnc.com/content/46/default.aspx
Richmond County Historical Society (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://rchs-nc.net/railroad-museums/
Richmond County Schools (2014). Retrieved from http://richmond.k12.nc.us/
U.S. Census Bureau (2010). Retrieved from
http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/community_facts.xhtml