Blount County has a unique educational landscape with three school systems including the county and two city systems: Blount County, Alcoa and Maryville. The systems range in sizes of small, medium and large for a total of 18 elementary schools, one intermediate school, six middle schools, four high schools and one alternative school, serving close to 19,000 students.
Alcoa City School System
The Alcoa city school system serves about 1,700 students including a few tuition students. The small, tight knit community allows students, faculty and staff to build close relationships. The system, serving the city of Alcoa, has three schools: an elementary, middle and high school. Governed by a five-person school board, the system has an annual operating budget of about $15 million and is under the guidance of an appointed director of schools.
Blount County School System
The Blount County school system serves a growing population of about 12,000 students. The county covers 584 square miles, and the county school system operates 20 schools: 13 elementary, four middle, two comprehensive secondary schools, and one alternative school, spread throughout the large region. A school board consisting of seven elected members and an appointed director of schools governs the school system. The system operates an annual budget of more than $70 million.
Maryville City School System
The Maryville city school system serves residents within the city of Maryville and a limited number of nonresidents who pay an annual tuition. The system operates with an annual budget of $45,475,000 and serves more than 5,000 students in its four elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and one high school. The system is operated under policies established by a five-member board of education and is administered by an appointed director of schools.
Alcoa City Schools Foundation Inc.
The Alcoa City Schools Foundation Inc., a nonprofit organization, was established in 1989 by concerned citizens to provide support, not available through state and local funds, aimed at enriching the educational experience and increasing the level of learning and enthusiasm for instruction. The focus of the foundation is to benefit all students and to involve those persons and businesses that wish to share in each student’s success.
Maryville City Schools Foundation
The Maryville City Schools Foundation (MCSF) is an independent, community-based organization that supports educational programs and learning opportunities that achieve academic excellence within the Maryville City School System. Formed in 1991 as a nonprofit organization, MCSF seeks financial grants and donations of treasure, time and talent from the community, creating a vital link between the private sector and the Maryville city school system.
Blount County Education Foundation
The Blount County Education Foundation (BCEF) acts as a bridge between the needs in the schools and community resources by seeking both financial support and donated services from individuals and corporations. All are focused on the BCEF mission of enhancing excellence in education for children of the Blount County School system. Established in 1990, the BCEF typically funds more than 30 mini-grants each school year.