FIS, NES, HVES all ‘Rewarded’ by County
Farragut Intermediate, Hardin Valley Elementary and Northshore Elementary schools were among 18 Knox County Schools honored with the Reward designation.
The Reward designation is the “state’s highest designation and recognizes schools that are making gains in student achievement and growth for all students and all student groups,” a press release from KCS stated.
The state recently released district and school designations based on data from the 2023-24 school year, and results showed Knox County Schools system is continuing to make gains in student achievement, according to the press release.
“Receiving the Governor’s Civics Seal is a significant milestone for Farragut Intermediate School,” FIS principal Suzanne Parham said. “It affirms our dedication to providing a well-rounded education that includes a strong emphasis on civic responsibility and active participation in our community.
“This award highlights the collaborative efforts of our teachers, students and families to prioritize civic education as an integral part of our learning environment,” she added. “We are proud to be the first school in KCS to receive this distinction.
This recognition “reflects the strength and intentionality of our civics and social studies curriculum, Parham said. “At FIS, our approach is not only about teaching students the mechanics of government, but also fostering an understanding of their role in a democratic society.
“It demonstrates that our curriculum equips students with the knowledge and skills to think critically, engage responsibly and contribute positively to their communities,” she added. “We hope they continue throughout high school and as adult citizens.”
For KCS, “The award showcases the district’s commitment to excellence in education and underscores the value we place on preparing students to be informed and engaged citizens,” Parham said. “It’s a testament to the collective efforts of our schools to prioritize civics and social studies education as part of a broader mission to empower students to succeed in all areas of life.
“Our success in earning this recognition stems from the dedication of our teachers, the enthusiasm of our students and the support of our families,” she added. “Specific initiatives, such as interactive learning projects, participating in the democratic process through our school community — ranging from student government elections to voting on which songs the fourth-grade choir sang at their concert and many other items — have all played a role.”
Parham added another factor at her school is “the culture at FIS emphasizes collaboration, responsibility and a commitment to excellence, which directly influenced this achievement.
“Two years ago, only nine schools received the Reward school designation,” the release stated. “Last year, that number jumped to 24 schools. Because Reward school designation measures growth over previous years’ accomplishments, it is often difficult to maintain a high number of Reward schools. Nevertheless, KCS is celebrating another 18 Reward schools.”
“Results like these don’t happen by chance overnight,” School Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk stated. “Our principals, teachers and students have been intentional and worked hard to make the gains we’re seeing now. They’ve remained focused on our four priorities, and that focus is paying off.”
For the second year in a row, KCS’s overall designation as a district was “Satisfactory,” up from “In Need of
Improvement” in 2021-22, “... but we still have work to do when it comes to closing persistent achievement gaps — especially in our middle schools,” Rysewyk said.
