Kingsport City Schools Elementary/Middle/High (houses, school tuition, taxes)

[quietmum]

I have done my research and I have fallen in love with Kingsport! I am very impressed with their schools, which is a top priority for me. Academics is important for me and sports is equally important to my husband and our two boys. I just have a few questions for those of you who are familliar with the area and the schools. I am certain I want them to attend Dobyns-Bennet HS when they get to that point, but we aren't even school age yet. I would just like to keep that in mind so we won't need to move down the road.

To get to the point I would like to know two things...
First, which are the top elementary schools as far as academics, parent involvement, teacher attitudes, safety and also have a challenging but fun environment? If there are several good schools which would you recommend and why?

Second, while I was looking on the school's website it listed tuitions for the students. I am also aware Kingsport doesn't have a school tax. It wasn't clear who pays tuition. Do city residents in the district pay tuition k through HS for each child?

THANKS!

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by quietmum

I have done my research and I have fallen in love with Kingsport! I am very impressed with their schools, which is a top priority for me. Academics is important for me and sports is equally important to my husband and our two boys. I just have a few questions for those of you who are familliar with the area and the schools. I am certain I want them to attend Dobyns-Bennet HS when they get to that point, but we aren't even school age yet. I would just like to keep that in mind so we won't need to move down the road.

To get to the point I would like to know two things...
First, which are the top elementary schools as far as academics, parent involvement, teacher attitudes, safety and also have a challenging but fun environment? If there are several good schools which would you recommend and why?

Second, while I was looking on the school's website it listed tuitions for the students. I am also aware Kingsport doesn't have a school tax. It wasn't clear who pays tuition. Do city residents in the district pay tuition k through HS for each child?

THANKS!

I like Washington Elementary an awful lot. It is progressive in thinking, has a great staff, is a newer building, very active, etc. I was very pleased as a parent there. There are other good elementary schools: Lincoln is also good; it is more your established elementary and not quite as progressive as Washington but a stable and good staff.

City dwellers do not pay tuition for students; costs are included in city taxes. County residents that place their children in city schools do pay tuition.

Hope this helps. Roll Tribe Roll

[quietmum]

phew... what a relief. I almost fell over when I saw how cheap taxes and houses are there. No school tuition is just icing on the cake! I'm from Vermont and I never realized how expensive things were until I started looking elsewhere. I feel cheated! LOL

I am leaning toward washington myself from what I have seen and read so far, but talking to the folks who live there is much more reassuring. Thanks for your input!

[mandb76]

Jefferson is also a great school. The staff are top notch and parents are super involved. I always hear great things about Jefferson.

[MooksterL1]

Jefferson is a very good school and I like Johnson Elementary a lot too.

[Beretta]

Originally Posted by MooksterL1

Jefferson is a very good school and I like Johnson Elementary a lot too.

I went to Johnson Elementary . I had heard that it had "gone down" in recent years but am glad to hear an endorsement.

Giving a shout out to Mrs. Seal, Mrs. Fuller, the former Miss Greene, Mrs. Parks, Mrs. Scott, Mrs Hyder (Art), Mrs Bays (Music), Mrs. Chitwood (PE), Mrs. Hawk (School Secretary), and Mr. Milam (Principal).