After several years of observation, data analysis, and discussion with stakeholders, the Sevier County School System will be implementing a change to its secondary schools model that includes the following:
- Beginning in August of 2026, all Sevier County high schools will return to a 9-12 grade model.
- For some high schools, all 9th grade students will attend classes within the high school building. For others, some rooms/facilities may still be shared with junior high schools.
- All 9th grade students will be assigned to and taught/served by teachers, guidance staff, and administrators assigned to senior high schools.
- All current junior high schools will remain 7th and 8th grade only for the next academic year.
- A further transition to a 6th-8th middle school model is under consideration for the future.
Sevier County Schools board members and administrators believe that this change is in the best interests of its students because:
9-12 high schools place a student’s entire experience in earning credits toward graduation under one guidance staff, one administrative team, and one unified faculty. Doing so:
- Streamlines and strengthens student monitoring for progress toward graduation and associated goals
- Provides for speedier interventions within the same setting
- Increases a student’s odds of earning a diploma through a greater variety of high quality supports that are tailored to their needs
9-12 high schools provide for greater scheduling efficiency and teacher effectiveness by:
- Grouping together similar curricula, learning goals and objectives and associated testing, teaching methods, and time-on-task requirements
- Allowing for greater collaboration and shared planning within departments, facilitating professional learning and improved teaching
- Creating an environment where a more consistent, cohesive schedule benefits students and teachers alike
9-12 high schools offer broader and more consistent access to specialized and extra-curricular programming by:
- Making fine arts, career and technical education, clubs and organizations, and athletics seamlessly available to all grade levels
- Consolidating these programs within individual buildings for greater visibility and efficiency
We hope you will join us in excitedly anticipating this upcoming realignment at the secondary level. We are hopeful that the changes we are making will empower our teachers and administrators to better serve the students of Sevier County.
