Blount & Sevier County Schools and Libraries (Knoxville, Maryville: homes, good schools)

[addsubtract]

I'm looking for a home for my two small children outside the city limit of Maryville in Blount County or in Sevier County. We've utilized the Blount County library quite a bit. It's marvelous.

Can anyone tell about how good the schools are in Sevier County and in Blount County? We plan on homeschooling, but I do need really good schools as a backup.

Also, how is the Sevier County library? Does anyone know how it compares to Blount County's library? Blount County's library seems really great for homeschooling with lots of educational resources. Does anyone know how Sevier County's library fares in this regard?

Thank you!

[lochmoigh]

Originally Posted by addsubtract

I'm looking for a home for my two small children outside the city limit of Maryville in Blount County or in Sevier County. We've utilized the Blount County library quite a bit. It's marvelous.

Can anyone tell about how good the schools are in Sevier County and in Blount County? We plan on homeschooling, but I do need really good schools as a backup.

Also, how is the Sevier County library? Does anyone know how it compares to Blount County's library? Blount County's library seems really great for homeschooling with lots of educational resources. Does anyone know how Sevier County's library fares in this regard?

Thank you!

if at all possible try and stay in the city limits in Blount County. The schools in the county are plagued with budget woes and it can be hit or miss. Dm if you need more details or a place to start looking for housing, I know some local realtors deleted, I don't know about sevier county though

[VolDude]

Are the county schools as good as city? No. Are Blount County Schools better than the state mean? Absolutely. I'd make not a cent more nor be more enlightened had I attended city schools.

[J&Em]

If you are home schooling, as several of my neighbors do, it will be easier for you to afford your home by staying OUT of the Maryville city limits in Blount County. The taxes (as well as some services) are less, and the home prices also are a bit less. One neighbor family still takes their kids in for sport teams and other social activities and it doesn't seem to be a hardship. In less than 15 minutes driving time you can be in just about any part of Maryville for library, doctor's appointments or shopping. For additional resources Knoxville is about 35 minutes depending on where you need to go. I love the Blount County library in Maryville, its a fantastic asset to the area.

As far as schools, the Blount County schools are not as highly rated as Maryville but are still well above state averages. VolDude probably has the right view. Budget woes are hitting all over the country and Blount is in the same boat of trying to keep things afloat without cutting into education too deeply. As in other states and counties there has been a lot of politically motivated back and forth on what to cut and if the "rainy day" fund should be used to fill gaps. Since I don't have to worry about education anymore I am not up on which elementary or secondary schools are better/worse within the county system.

I have not heard positive things about education in Sevierville or Sevier County... you will need to ask people with experience in that system for truthful insight.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by J&Em

If you are home schooling, as several of my neighbors do, it will be easier for you to afford your home by staying OUT of the Maryville city limits in Blount County. The taxes (as well as some services) are less, and the home prices also are a bit less. One neighbor family still takes their kids in for sport teams and other social activities and it doesn't seem to be a hardship. In less than 15 minutes driving time you can be in just about any part of Maryville for library, doctor's appointments or shopping. For additional resources Knoxville is about 35 minutes depending on where you need to go. I love the Blount County library in Maryville, its a fantastic asset to the area.

As far as schools, the Blount County schools are not as highly rated as Maryville but are still well above state averages. VolDude probably has the right view. Budget woes are hitting all over the country and Blount is in the same boat of trying to keep things afloat without cutting into education too deeply. As in other states and counties there has been a lot of politically motivated back and forth on what to cut and if the "rainy day" fund should be used to fill gaps. Since I don't have to worry about education anymore I am not up on which elementary or secondary schools are better/worse within the county system.

I have not heard positive things about education in Sevierville or Sevier County... you will need to ask people with experience in that system for truthful insight.

I have clients that love Sevier County schools. They are moving back for the schools. I also have a friend that is one of the smartest people I have ever met that went through the Sevier County system. Of course, she might just be smart.

There are school ratings out there, too. This site seems to be pretty accurate when I compare some of the schools I know. It shows Sevier County to be good. Greatschools.org Search: sevier

[addsubtract]

Thank you for the information. It's reassuring to know that Blount and Sevier County have decent schools.