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Academics: Accomplishments

Blackman High School earns coveted ‘High Schools that Work’ Pacesetter award

Blackman High School will be used as a model for other schools in the country wanting to improve curriculum standards through the High Schools That Work (HSTW) program, now that the school has earned one of 25 Pacesetter awards. Rutherford County Schools and Blackman High School received notification of the award from the Southern Regional Education Board, the organization that oversees the HSTW program. Only 25 of the awards will be handed out this year out of more than 1,200 schools in 31 states that are HSTW sites, according to the SREB.

HSTW is an initiative to prepare students for careers and further education by improving curriculum and instruction in high schools, according to SREB.

Five RCS seventh-graders to be honored at Duke University for advanced scores

Each year advanced seventh-grade students are invited to participate in the Duke Talent Identification Program by taking the ACT or SAT with high school juniors and seniors. This year 43 Rutherford County students qualified for State Level Recognition and were honored at Vanderbilt University in May 2008.

Five students qualified for Grand Level Recognition and will be honored at a ceremony at Duke University.  These students scored in the top 2 percent of all students in 16 southeastern states who participated in the program.

Murfreesboro City Schools Awards and Accomplishments

• Murfreesboro City Schools has more teachers (7) named to the “Tennessee Teachers Hall of Fame” than any other system in the state.
• Murfreesboro City Schools has had three teachers named Tennessee Teacher of the Year.
• Murfreesboro City Schools has been awarded twelve Preschools by the Governor’s PreSchool initiative.
• Hobgood Elementary was designated a NASA Explorer School 2006-2009.
• Bradley Academy, “An Arts integrated School,” was named one of six “Value Plus” schools in the state for a special arts integration program administered by the Tennessee Arts Commission 2006-2010.
• Mitchell-Neilson Elementary, Cason Lane Academy and Scales Elementary have received Excellence in
• Education awards by the Tennessee School Boards Association.
• During the past five years, the system has received more than $5 million in grants, including three 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants and a LEAPs Grant.
• Murfreesboro City Schools was selected as one of ten systems to pilot a Coordinated School Health Program in 2006 and subsequently has received more than $170,000 to continue and expand the program with a full-time coordinator.
• The school system has received national recognition for the School Nutrition Program:
• “District of Excellence”- recognized by the School Nutrition Association (1 of only 68 nationwide).
• “USDA-Sunshine Award”- Summer Food Service Program (Southeastern U.S. Winner and National finalist).
• “Spotlight on…” Award – got milk mustache campaign (first district recognized nationally for this program).
• “Dairy Promoter of the Year Award”-American Dairy Association of Tennessee (only school district ever to receive this award).
• “Health Now Award”-Tennessee School Nutrition Bellwood Discovery School Pilot cafeteria program.
• “Best Practices Award”-TN. State Nutrition Department (increase in breakfast program participation).
• The school system has received national recognition for the Franklin Heights Project as a recipient of:
• The “Leadership for Learning Award” (American Association of School Administrators).
• The “Magna Awards 2001” (American Association of School Administrators).
• The “Best Practices Award” (International City Management Association).
• The “Communities Can!” Community of Excellence Award” (Federal Interagency Coordinating Council).
• “Healthy Kids Community Award” (Tennessee Department of Health).