Holston Valley Middle School

Our family has never felt less welcome in an educational environment. I have the very strong impression that our children are considered sub-standard citizens because they are new to the school. They are great kids and also bright students. They have been talked down to and reprimanded including phone calls and emails home for things such as not standing with their hands at their sides in a school photo (his hands were behind his back instead) and sitting near a group of kids who were talking during a class visit to the counselor. In the phone call the counselor actually gave me a list of names our kids should and should not be friends with. These calls and emails are not only petty but unnecessary in a child’s first 5 school days. I can’t speak toward the academics at this point other than both kids were given poor grades for assignments they weren’t actually present for by 3 different teachers- these were or will be corrected after we brought this up. Again, not a welcoming environment by staff and a very sad start to what we hope will be a quality academic future in Bristol. One positive the students have all been very kind.

My son is in 1st grade. This school is all about the kids and their future. I am very happy that my son gets to go to this elementary school.