School Shuffle: Joelton Middle School

Where will I go to school next year? A few of our Metro schools and programs will be moving for the 2013-14 school year, temporarily or otherwise. To make sure you know where to go on the first day of school (August 1st – did we mention that already?), let’s do the School Shuffle:

We’re very fortunate in our district to have Mayor Dean, the Metro Council and the people of Nashville all support our district through funding for capital projects. The average age of the buildings in Metro Schools is 42 years old, and as we work to improve and update our our schools and facilities, we sometimes have to move students to temporary facilities.

One of these projects is a major renovation of the aged and inadequate building at Joelton Middle School.

Joelton Middle is set to undergo a total renovation. It is quite a project, and afterward the school will look stunning. It will be modernized and better prepared for 21^st century learning. Construction will go on through all of next school year, so the question is, what do we do with the students at Joelton Middle in the meantime? They can’t remain in the school because the project is just too big.

Students at Joelton Middle (grades 6-8) will spend the 2013-14 school year at Haynes Middle School, where Haynes and Joelton students can share a space while remaining in their own separate schools. Rising fifth grade students at Joelton, Cumberland and Lillard Elementary Schools will remain at their schools for fifth grade.

Important to note:

The schools will not be merged. Haynes will continue to be a choice school. Joelton will return to its own building when the renovation is complete for the 2014-15 school year.
Joelton students inside of the Haynes facility will be in a separate area of the building.
Each school will keep its own principals, faculty and athletic programs (we expect the relationship with I.T. Creswell to continue).
The schools will share common areas, like the gym and the cafeteria, according to a set schedule.
Because the schools have different start times, students will arrive and dismiss at different times.

There is more than enough space in the Haynes building to accommodate both schools. Each has its own strong traditions and holds its own special place in the community. These will be preserved during this one-year adventure.

Most importantly, both Joelton and Haynes have the teachers, leadership and family commitments to create great schools.