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The FSSD is Special Because... |
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- The FSSD places a deliberate focus on personalized instruction tailored to meet each student's individual needs.
- The district received all A's in student achievement on the 2012 State Report Card. FSSD's TCAP achievement scores rank 3rd in the state.
- The district consistently meets and/or exceeds the state's teacher-pupil ratio requirement of 1 to 20 in K-3rd grade, 1 to 25 in grades 4-6, and 1 to 30 in grades 7-8. In kindergarten through third grade, the ratio meets the state requirement of 1 to 20, while in fourth grade it exceeds the requirement with a 1 to 22 ratio (state requirement: 1 to 25), and in grades 5-8 it is 1 to 25 (state requirement: 1 to 30).
- Middle school students have the opportunity to participate in the Duke University Talent Search, and consistently has winners at the state and national level.
- Students in grades 7 and 8 may take high school credited courses in Algebra I, French I, and Spanish I, enabling them to earn as many as 3 high school credits.
- Each school has a fully staffed clinic to meet the health needs of all children. A District Nursing Coordinator supervises eight full-time nursing positions.
- All schools and the Central Office are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In its last review, the SACS CASI Review Team wrote that the FSSD is "an exemplary school system led by an extraordinary professional staff, highly committed and knowledgeable board of education, educated and involved parents, and an extremely supportive community that collectively encourage and support student success at all levels of the system. It is evident throughout the system that instructional improvement that results in improving student achievement is the highest priority."
- The FSSD Board of Education is a current and three-time winner of the Tennessee School Boards Association "Board of Distinction" (1999-2002, 2007-2009, and 2009-2011).
- The average teacher salary in the FSSD is $53,873, which ranks sixth in the state (2011-2012 Tennessee Education Association statistics).
- Approximately 66 percent of the district's faculty holds a master's degree or higher (2012 Tennessee Dept. of Education statistics).
- The FSSD's expenditures per pupil are $12,466 – among the highest in the state. This figure is a standard of quality that illustrates the district's commitment to providing high quality instruction and resources to its students (2010 State Report Card).
- The FSSD holds an Aa2 (Exceptional) Financial Strength Rating classification by Moody's, signifying the district's commitment to responsible spending.
- FSSD students have unique opportunities to use and develop their talents in the visual and performing arts. The FSSD provides extraordinary funding for programs such as art, theater, vocal and instrumental music as part of the student's academic day.
- The FSSD physical education program is recognized on both the state and national level as a model. Two schools are state demonstration centers and a third school is a national award winner. Students in grades K-4 receive daily physical education instruction.
- Special academic programs include the Honors program for high-ability learners as well as a program of services for gifted and talented students. There is a teacher of gifted students in each school who provides direct instruction to eligible students.
- The district is committed to early childhood education and has pre-kindergarten classes in all of the elementary schools.
- The FSSD is committed to integrating technology at all grade levels.
- The FSSD operates a low-cost Morning and Afternoon Care (MAC) program for children five days a week and during most holidays and summer break. MAC is a self-sustaining program that provides enrichment, tutoring, and extra-curricular activities for its students.
- The FSSD operates an employee child care education center for children of working parents. The MAC program oversees the center, called Wee MAC, which serves children ages 6 weeks through preschool and is self-sustaining.
- The FSSD is committed to student safety and all schools have secure access through an office vestibule, monitored at all times by district staff. Cameras monitored by office staff are also present in all buildings.
- The FSSD attendance rate is superior, at 97.3% (2012 TN Department of Education statistics).
- FSSD students taking Algebra I as a high school credit course have achieved 100% success rate on the high school end of course exam since its inception.
- The district-wide Honors Program reflects the College Board’s Pre-Advanced Placement (PreAP) performance standards.
- The district has made a priority of not charging academic fees for supplies students need for core classes or related arts. No supplemental fees are required of parents.
- The district believes that summer instruction can be beneficial to both high ability and low ability learners. The district offers the Young Scholars Institute for students who choose summer enrichment. In addition, the district helps fund Gentry Educational Foundation for youth in the community to receive academic remediation and/or enrichment, as well as instruction in many fun and diverse extra-curricular classes.
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