Located in the extreme southwest corner of the state, the Shelby County school district is the fourth largest school system in Tennessee with a population of over 45,000 students. Our district includes all the public schools in the county outside the corporate limits of the city of Memphis, including those schools located within the six (6) incorporated towns of Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland and Millington.
The system is administered by a seven member Board of Education who reside within seven special election districts located within the Shelby County school district. Prior to 1998, school board members were appointed by the County Commission. In the fall of 1998, school board members were elected to 4-year terms in the odd-numbered districts and 2-year terms in the even-numbered districts. Future elections will be for 4-year terms. The superintendent is employed by the Board of Education and serves as secretary to the Board. Regular meetings of the Board are held on the last Thursday of each month. When any regular meeting date falls on a legal holiday or during a holiday season, the meeting will be rescheduled by the chairman. Tennessee law makes no specific provisions for the participation of the public in the meetings of the local boards of education; however, Tennessee law does require that every meeting of the Board, other than meeting with the attorney to discuss pending or threatened litigation, will be open to the public and press.
A community school concept is followed as closely as possible in the assignment of students to schools. However, rapid growth in Shelby County, annexation by the city, and federal court orders have a definite influence on the location of schools. Growth rates in Shelby County are currently the highest in the state creating an increase in student population averaging 1,000 students each year. Grade structure may vary due to growth in certain school areas and construction of new facilities; however, the primary design is elementary, middle and high school. High schools have grades nine through twelve. All schools are air-conditioned and constructed to provide a variety of instructional services and programs. The parent may contact the school or assistant superintendent of instruction to request a listing of available services or to determine their child's eligibility for services in specific programs. All facilities are inspected periodically by personnel from the Shelby County Health Department, the Shelby County Occupational Safety and Health Department, the Shelby County Building Department, and representatives from the State Fire Marshall's office.
Our schools meet or exceed the standards set by the Tennessee State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Twenty-nine years ago Shelby County Schools (SCS) was the first Tennessee school system accredited in its entirety by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This pioneering accreditation spirit continues today with the recent acceptance of SCS by SACS as one of the first systems to begin the SACS CASI District Accreditation process. This new accreditation format is only available to systems with a history of demonstrating successful implementation of the SACS process which includes a commitment to standards, support for school improvement, providing direction, meeting standards, and engaging in continuous improvement and demonstrating quality assurance. In order to maintain accreditation the school system hosts regular visits by professional peers representing SACS to assure systemwide quality. An integral component of the SACS and state requirements are comprehensive self-evaluative school improvement plans which are in place for each school and are updated regularly.
Our system has made an extensive commitment to quality instruction. We proudly celebrate the numerous awards and accomplishments of our students and staff, who are recognized each year for excellence in academic, athletic, and service endeavors on local, state and national levels. Money Magazine has recognized Shelby County Schools as one of the "Top 100 Schools Systems" in the United States. For nine consecutive years our system has been honored by School Match Inc. with the "What Parents Want Award." Vital to the success of our students and our system is the continuous support of parents and the PTA associations throughout the county. The Shelby County Council and the local member units of the PTA win numerous awards each year for the integral part they play in the success of our children. Shelby County Schools PTA has the largest membership in Tennessee.