Blue Ridge school district a source of pride

Mayor Steve Gaines said Mansfield takes pride in its schools, which are a part of the Blue Ridge School District.

Mansfield is home to Mansfield Elementary, which teaches fourth- through sixth-graders and Blue Ridge Junior High School for seventh- and eighth-graders.

The two schools are across the street from each other and share a principal, John Weaver.

The grade school is home to 196 students, and the middle school has 137. Combined, the schools have about 30 teachers.

Both schools are doing well in terms of national standardized test measures.

"We're way ahead of the curve," Weaver said. "We're exceeding all of the No Child Left Behind standards right now."

The middle school is also proud of its regional champion boys' baseball team.

One of the biggest challenges the schools face is the possibility of rebuilding or renovating their buildings. The junior high was built in 1939, and the elementary school will turn 50 this year. Weaver said the schools are conducting a feasibility study to determine what to do with the buildings.

Before attending Mansfield Elementary School, children from Mansfield, Farmer City and Bellflower attend Schneider School in Farmer City. Blue Ridge High is in Farmer City.