12639 Needlepoint Dr #17JUYM
Knoxville, TN 37934

Having taught at Farragut High for 25+ years, I have seen the ups and downs. The current administration, staff, and students are some of the best I have worked alongside.

We moved across the country to have our daughter attend Farragut schools. They are some of best schools in the US and have won awards over the years. She is currently in the fifth grade and is on an IEP. She has received excellent support from school counselors and highly trained special education teachers, participated in extracurricular activities, and learned how to be organized and study. Her grades and test scores have skyrocketed and so has her confidence. The general education teachers have communicated with us frequently about her education and behavior and we have always been heard. We volunteer for several activities at the school and the parents can participate in the classroom for science labs. We are impressed by the quality of teachers here- even the music teachers actually have degrees in music! They have police officers posted around the campus and are strict on regulating visitors. The bus driver is reliable and friendly. I was surprised at how many students are at this school- I am used to schools with only three or four teachers for each grade. But they are so structured with their operations that they make it work! We are continually thankful for the education our daughter is receiving at FIS and do not regret the decision to move here for the schools.

My kids have been at FMS from 2018-2023. By Knox County Schools standards, it's fine. But it isn't great, especially compared to the other Farragut schools, and has gotten worse since the pandemic. Some of that is due to a shortage of quality teachers. But I think there is also a leadership problem. The principals never seem to know what the teachers are up to and appear untutored in the art of management. At least once a week I hear about some teacher or other who spent class playing on their phone while the kids did teach-yourself activities. All unashamedly teach to the state test and rarely venture farther afield. The English teachers rarely assign or teach class novels. (Unless you count graphic novels.) One of the history teachers shows movies starting in mid-April. Another thinks it is her mission to dissuade young minds from believing in evolution. And the projects - all the useless, busywork, "creative" coloring, slideshows, posters, and draw-your-notes activities. Stock up on markers and glue sticks because your kid will need them. Your kid probably won't learn much here despite parental expectations being high. Many, many parents supplement at home to make up the difference. Probably my youngest will have to take a 2nd biology class in high school because her FMS bio class is so inferior to the one her brother took at FMS just 2 years ago. The academic rigor just isn't there. That said, FMS is a pleasant environment. The students are mature, well behaved, diverse and mutually supportive. Parents don't have to worry much about bullying, fights or anything beyond mild middle school tomfoolery. If your kid is smart they will be fine. And if they aren't they will be passed through with fair-to-middlin' grades and will also be fine.

Wonderful school. They care about the children. Very high standards for the children. They focus solely on learning academia. Teachers work hard and my children love the school.