• Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 200,000
    Student Enrollment: 200
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 40%
    White/Caucasian: 50%
    Hispanic: 5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 3%
    Native American: 2%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:17
    % Reduced Lunch: 75%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 1920
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Tanna Nicely
  • CONTACT:
    801 Sevier Ave
    Knoxville, TN 37920
    865-919-3193
    tanna.nicely@knoxschools.org
South Knoxville Elementary School
Knoxville, TN
"We believe our students are scholars and can achieve greatness!"
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our school was a level 1 struggling school a few years ago. We made a commitment to ensure every child in our school received individualized instruction and to meet them where they were. Goal setting become a standard for both the teachers and students. We celebrated small gains, but in 2023 we became a reward school from the state of TN! We have since been a reward school ever since! We love our kids and have created an environment where students grow and learn! We have an outstanding community that supports the school. Our families and community all stand with our students at SKE to be the best! Excellence is the standard at SKE!
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
All of us working together with the belief that our students are scholars and can achieve greatness! Excellence doesn't happen by accident around SKE. We have a focus and intentionality that permeates all levels of our school community. Our school plan drives our school year by putting in benchmarks to "check in" to ensure our students are growing and developing into well rounded high achieving kids.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
We are fortunate to provide needed resources to our classrooms to enhance the learning that is going on. We are also thankful to provide field trips and professional development for our staff to further their education and to stay abreast of the latest educational research.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
We presented as a staff at such conferences at Visible Learning and Learning Forward to share our best practices with other colleagues across the world. We also participated in such rigorous online training with Corwin and other agencies to grow our practice We reimagined our PLC structure to enhance our new learning within the school to include students and parents.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
The leadership team and I sat down and discussed where we were at as a school and where we wanted to go in the future. Some hard conversations were had and some truths were internalized. We started with some easy changes and progressed as we started climbing the mountain of success. Not all of the staff were interested in the work--I was ok with some staff leaving. We also had some staff be promoted for their hard work--I had to be ok with this as well. The culture had to be in place before real change could occur. I was asked which school to "chase" for growth. I chose the highest ranking school in our district, not the one closest in proximity to me.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
We could not be where we were at without the strong support of our community and local businesses They are an integral part of why we are a success. It is amazing how a pizza can motivate kids to read more! We are so blessed by the many community partners that love and support our school! I can't think of a more powerful partnership!
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 5
    School Setting: urban
    Town Population: 200,000
    Student Enrollment: 200
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 40%
    White/Caucasian: 50%
    Hispanic: 5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 3%
    Native American: 2%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:17
    % Reduced Lunch: 75%
    % ELL Learners: 5%
    Founded: 1920
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Tanna Nicely
  • CONTACT:
    801 Sevier Ave
    Knoxville, TN 37920
    865-919-3193
    tanna.nicely@knoxschools.org