Victoria schools offer large variety

Victoria Public Schools offers a wide variety of courses and activities for all of its students - from age 4 through 18. Our elementary school offers parents a 4-year-old preschool with the choice of attending three or five days a week.

Kindergarten is a full-day program. Our class sizes are kept as small as possible, ranging from 12 to 22 students in a class. All students in grades K-8 have special classes daily in physical education and music and weekly in art, library skills and computer lab.

In addition, we offer counseling services and specific counseling classes for all grades. Band is offered starting in the fifth grade. Of special note is our fourth- and fifth-grade technology-rich classrooms that are equipped with laptop computers, printers, projectors, digital cameras and video cameras.

Victoria Middle School houses grades six through eight. A full range of courses is offered on the block schedule including reading, language arts, physical education, science, social studies and math.

Eighth graders can opt to take Algebra I. All students also take computer skills, music, art, family and consumer science and woodshop. Students can elect to take band.

Optional activities include football, volleyball, basketball, track, cheerleading, and quiz bowl. A student leadership team plans many activities for students throughout the year that are designed to help our students become productive citizens in our community.

Of special note in the middle school are a Synergistic science lab, a Mac lab and a traveling laptop cart. Our students use computer technology on a daily basis.

Victoria High School offers students a complete course of study that prepares them to become Regent Scholars, if they choose.

In addition to the basic courses in English, math, science and social studies students can choose courses in two foreign languages, art, music, FACS, industrial arts, physical education, business and vocational subjects.

Students can enroll in dual credit courses from Barton County Community College. Our high school has a Mac lab, a PC lab and two traveling laptop carts. Computer technology is used on a regular basis and is considered and integral part of our curriculum.

There are many activities students can choose from for after school participation. Victoria is the state 8-man football champions. All students can participate in the activity of their choice. The choices are many: football, volleyball, tennis, basketball, track, forensics, school play, band, chorus, quiz bowl, student council and FCCLA.

Small schools can many times offer students more opportunities. We do not have the vast number of courses to choose from, but students receive very personal attention. It is hard for a student to fall through the cracks, as every teacher knows every student whether they have them in class or not.

Every activity is open to every student. Nearly 100 percent of our students participate in one or more after school activities. Parents and teachers of all students generally know each other and communicate about student progress.

At Victoria we understand the dynamic world our students are preparing to enter, and we are committed to helping every student reach their full potential.

Linda Kenne is superintendent at Victoria USD 432.