Due to loss of nine instructional days this semester, Grainger County Schools will adjust our second semester calendar/plan as follows:
February 13- Regular school day for all students instead of early dismissal
February 13 – NO parent teacher conference (rescheduled for March 20)
February 14 – STUDENTS WILL ATTEND - regular school day
3rd Nine-week period Midterm ends February 12
Midterm Reports will be issued February 19
The third nine week term will end on March 12 (instead of March 7)
Third nine-week report cards will be issued Wednesday, March 19
Parent Teacher Conference – Thursday, March 20 Early dismissal for students
Staff Development Day – Friday, March 21 (No students)
Spring Break following week (March 24-28)
4th Nine Weeks Midterm has been moved to April 17
4th Nine Weeks Midterm Reports will be issued on April 24.
Pre-K Information
Voluntary Pre-K Enrollment Opens March 20, 2025
We are excited to announce that Voluntary Pre-K enrollment will open on Thursday, March 20, 2025. We encourage all Grainger County residents with children who are 4 years old to apply for one of the four Pre-K classrooms available at Bean Station, Joppa, Rutledge Primary, and Washburn School. Each program can enroll 20 students, with admission based on specific criteria.
Enrollment Priority: Priority is given to children who meet income guidelines as determined by the 2025 US Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines. For example, the total gross income for a family of four should be less than $59,477. You will need to verify your income by providing a check stub or W2. Students must be 4 years old by August 15, 2025. After September 15, if space is available, the program may enroll children who are otherwise defined as at risk.
Program Highlights:Grainger County offers an excellent Pre-K program with well-trained teachers in all aspects of Pre-K, including fine-motor skills, cognitive and language development, and social-personal development. The Voluntary Pre-K initiative provides Tennessee's three- and four-year-old children, especially those at risk, with an opportunity to develop school readiness skills. These classes promote a high-quality academic environment that fosters a love of learning and prepares children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Benefits of Pre-K: Attending a Pre-K program helps children develop essential emotional, academic, and social skills. Students who develop self-regulation skills and learn to cooperate with peers in Pre-K are better prepared for kindergarten. This is particularly important for students who may already be at a disadvantage in these areas.
Why Invest in Pre-K: Investing in Pre-K helps close the achievement gap, increases graduation rates, creates productive citizens, and ensures that all children in Grainger County have access to quality education. We must be proactive in supporting our children from an effective Pre-K program through high school graduation and beyond.
Enrollment Information: Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens on March 20, 2025. You can find enrollment information on the Grainger County Schools webpage, where there will be a link to the Pre-K program page. You may also contact each school to make an appointment for packet pick-up.
Contact Information: In May, teachers will contact you upon completion of the registration process, at which time proof of income must be provided.
Joppa: 865-828-5721
Applications for enrollment will not be accepted before March 20, 2025.
If you have any questions about the registration process or enrollment procedures, please contact Ginny McElhaney at 865-828-5436.
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Congratulations!
Congratulations to Grainger County's 2024 Elementary School Teacher of the Year, Holly McCoy!
Congratulations to these Joppa students for attaining a perfect score on the 2024 TCAP in their respective areas!
Joppa Elementary School serves the children of the Joppa Community, encompassing both the Rutledge and Blaine area, in grades Pre-Kindergarten through Sixth grades. Currently, we have approximately 500 children enrolled at our school.
Our school offers a variety of learning opportunities for its students, faculty, and staff members. The administration, highly qualified teachers, staff, and parents work together to provide a positive, nurturing, student-centered learning environment. High standards for student achievements are accomplished by a balanced curriculum with a strong academic focus. Basic skills in language arts and math are emphasized as essential tools in decision making, problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Evaluation of student growth is continually shared with both the students and parents through our school assemblies, parent conferences, newsletters, and team meetings.
Our school works diligently to meet the individual needs of our students. We use diverse forms of instruction, researched-based programs and strategies, and we integrate various technology-based activities into our daily instruction.
In addition to our well-rounded core curriculum, we offer many additional programs to benefit our students such as the morning Fast Math Computer Lab Program, D.A.R.E., 4-H, Accelerated Reader, DIBELS, Honors Club, J-STARS (Joppa Students Taking Action Responsibility at School) FAB (Fabulous Activities for the Brain) Fridays, and SWPB (School-Wide Positive Behavior Reward Program).
