One of the most vital resources contributing to the success of the Edwardsville area is the availability of several exceptional educational facilities. With new technological advances, local educational institutions are expanding their scope of interaction with the community and are collaborating on providing quality non-traditional educational programs and services. By implementing these new programs and training systems, employers can be assured of finding a quality work force with the appropriate skills required in our changing business environment and economy.

Partnerships are being formed between metropolitan area companies and local higher education facilities, as well as partnerships between local and national higher education institutions. For example, the local Lewis & Clark Community College, recognized as the fastest growing college or university in Illinois, has recently joined forces with the University of Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences to develop an international institute for studying river ecology and watershed management.

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to attract more students each year with its varied degree programs, now numbering over 100, its entrepreneurial spirit and leading edge technological facilities and programs. Dr. Sharon Hahs, Provost and Vice Chancellor at SIUE, summarized the university philosophy by saying, "It's about the quality of life - from degree programs to public service to leisure activities - and service to Southwestern Illinois as a premier metropolitan university known nationally for excellence of its programs and development of professional and community leaders."

The Edwardsville and Glen Carbon communities also contain sixteen schools including eleven public, four parochial and one private school. The public School District 7 encompasses 178 square miles and has a total enrollment of 6,366 students. Edwardsville School District 7 was recently included in the Money Magazine ranking of the top 100 school districts in the country.

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