Education

Starting in the fall of 2011, Sumter County's two school districts, which consist of more than 30 facilities, will become one consolidated school district.  All of our schools are known for their efforts to raise the bar on education, and, in turn, do their part to properly raise the area's children. To learn more about Sumter County's Schools, visit thier website.

Public schools provide not only the tools to help students learn the three R's but also nurture life skills, such as learning to embrace diversity to help children better get along in the other areas of their lives.  As part of that diversity, each school strives to offer opportunities for students to expand their horizons through extracurricular activities including multicultural, environmental and service clubs that allow students to interact with their peers and positive role models outside the classroom while providing valuable services and knowledge to the community.  Our schools strive to give students the best education possible and boast dozens of National Board-certified teachers, one of the highest achievements in the field of education.

The private schools in Sumter County provide instruction from kindergarten through high school.  Parents may choose from St. Anne Catholic School, St. Francis Xavier High School, Sumter Academy, Sumter Christian School, Thomas Sumter Academy and Wilson Hall.

The Sumter Career Readiness Center, located on the Sumter High campus, is a valuable tool for training tomorrow's work force.  Students from each of the three area high schools may elect to take classes from a variety of career fields, including computer technology, landscape management and masonry.  The center is responsible for training many of those who have gone on to work at Sumter's growing number of industrial facilities.

For those who choose to continue their education after high school, there are several institutions of higher learning to properly prepare students for the field they wish to enter.

University of South Carolina Sumter several two-year associates degrees in arts and sciences.  Legislators are working diligently to obtain four-year status for the branch and when they succeed, USC Sumter would expand beyond its current six baccalaureate degrees in fields such as business administration and elementary education to include more than 10 bachelors' degree programs.

Central Carolina Technical College, located in Sumter and serving Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw and Sumter Counties and confers associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. CCTC is a comprehensive, public, two-year institution of higher education that is dedicated to fostering a positive environment of teaching and learning for faculty, staff and students.  A recently completed downtown expansion of the college will broaden the school's health care program, allowing students to have increased access to Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter's largest healthcare facility.

Morris College,  a 100-year old historically black institution, is known for training some of the most powerful people in today's society, from ministers and teachers to business leaders and politicians.  The college prides itself in educating many who might never have been able to attend college with their institution.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University is located and Shaw Air Force Base and specializes in degrees focusing on the aeronautic industry while providing flexibility for working students.

Saint Leo University Located at Shaw Air Force Base and offering classes evenings and weekends, you can continue your education despite your busy schedule. We offer degrees in business administration, criminal justice, human resources administration and other popular areas of study.And if attending a traditional classroom doesn't fit into your schedule, you can expand your knowledge on the Internet through our Distance Learning Program or even get an MBA online.

Troy University offers flexibility in the way you can take your classes, you can learn in a classroom setting or online or mix them together. At Troy, you'll find a culture of caring that simply doesn't exist anywhere else. We call it being student centered, and you'll notice the difference from day one through the day you're done. And no matter where life takes you, you'll never be far from one of the more than 60 TROY teaching sites across the U.S. and around the world.

Webster University is located at the education center on Shaw Air Force Base near Sumter. Students affiliated with the base, as well as students from the Sumter community, are welcome to attend Webster University's three graduate programs and one certificate program. With the goal of meeting the needs of the working adult, Webster University has developed courses which prepare graduates with cognitive, theoretical, and practical skills necessary to thrive in today's professional environment.

The Sumter County Library has three well equipped branches around Sumter that can help patrons of any age. We also have a Bookmobile, a collection that includes books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, CDs, and Audiobooks. The library provides access to online databases, downloadable e-books, basic computers classes, and a variety of programs for adults and children. The library has an active Friends group which sponsor a 5k and book sale as well as an annual event featuring a guest author.