Rutherford Schools Stay Committed to Quality
Published Jul 22, 2008
Rutherford County’s strong economy and robust growth are translating into more rooftops and more students, but that isn’t watering down achievement levels or academic quality.
Rutherford County Schools, with an enrollment of 36,500, is adding about 1,500 students each year and expects to invest $500 million over the next decade in new facilities and expansions to its current roster of 41 schools. (A 42nd comes on line in fall 2008.) The district, which operates on a $220 million budget, has a teacher-student ratio of about 1-22 for primary grades and 1-30 for junior high and high school.
Rutherford County Schools earned some of the highest scores among districts on the Tennessee Department of Education’s 2007 Report Card and showed yearly progress on proficiency goals and graduation-rate requirements set by the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
“When compared to other school districts in the state, we are among the best. Education is a big draw, and if we didn’t have a good schools program, our county would not be growing the way that it is,” says James Evans, spokesman for Rutherford County Schools.
The district’s Oakland High School, for example, has been fully certified by the International Baccalaureate Organization, one of fewer than 800 U.S. high schools to receive that designation for the rigorous college-prep program.
Murfreesboro, Rutherford County’s largest city, operates schools for students through sixth grade. The system also received high marks from the Tennessee Department of Education – six As and three Bs on its 2007 Report Card.
“One of the things that draws people here is our foundation of outstanding teachers,” says Marilyn Mathis, director of the 7,000-student Murfreesboro City Schools. “We have the opportunity of serving just the young child, so we can really focus on education from pre-K through grade six.”
The district operates on a $48.7 million budget and has 848 full-time employees. Teacher-student ratios are 1-20. District schools have received numerous accolades. For example, the arts-focused Bradley Academy was named one of six Value Plus schools in the state for a special arts integration program administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission for 2006-2010. And Mitchell-Neilson Elementary, Cason Lane Academy and Scales Elementary have received Excellence in Education awards from the Tennessee School Boards Association.
Through the Business Education Partnership, the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce coordinates an array of initiatives and activities that bring the business community and schools together.
The BC3 program for math and science teachers, summer business camp, adopt-a-school efforts and job shadowing are just a few of the programs that help improve school quality and develop a skilled and prepared future workforce.
“We want to keep our best and brightest here, and when they reach maturity, they will be able to have good jobs in this county,” says Lee Rennick, partnership executive director.
“We have programs for students that allow them to go out and meet business leaders and research the area they are interested in. For those who want to go to college, they are much better prepared and aware of the challenges and education they need before they go into the work world.”
Story by Olivia Lake
Photo by Jeff Adkins
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