Jefferson County Schools is the public school district within Jefferson County, Tennessee, governed by the Jefferson County Board of Education. The district has one high school, Jefferson County High School. There are two K-8 schools in the district, Rush Strong School and White Pine School. The district also has five K-5 schools (Dandridge Elementary, Jefferson Elementary School, New Market Elementary, Piedmont Elementary, and Talbott Elementary) and two middle schools ( Jefferson Middle School and Maury Middle School).
Jefferson County High School opened in August 1975 as a result of the reorganization of all elementary schools and the consolidation of the existing high schools. Students from White Pine, Rush Strong, Maury, and Jefferson High Schools combined to form a student body of nearly 2300+ in grades 9-12. In its first year of operation, the high school was recognized by the Tennessee School Board Association as the "School of the Year" in Tennessee. The academic, athletic, and activity programs have continued to excel over the last twenty-two years. Jefferson County High School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized as one of the finest comprehensive high schools in the state of Tennessee.
The High School is located in the geographic center of Jefferson County. The location is approximately fifteen miles from the most distant commuting student in the county. The campus consists of 60 acres (240,000 m2) including a stadium, gymnasium, swimming pool, playing fields, tennis courts, and the academic complex. The enrollment is approximately 2300 students.
In 2007 Jefferson County Schools embarked on a $65 million building program. This program will provide additional classroom space in the elementary schools and renovations and a performing arts center at the high school.
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—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)