CMS is hosting TMSAA Wrestling Championship
CTE Newsletter
PRESS RELEASE: Cleveland City Schools Announces Principal of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, and Classified Staff of the Year for 2024-2025
Blythe-Bower Elementary Shines as a Tennessee Reward School! We’re thrilled to share some incredible news: Blythe-Bower Elementary has been named a 2023-2024 Tennessee Reward School! This recognition, given by the Tennessee Department of Education, highlights the hard work and dedication that make Blythe-Bower a standout in our community. Being named a Reward School is the highest honor in Tennessee’s accountability system. To earn this distinction, a school must achieve an overall federal accountability score of 3.1 or higher out of 4.0. This score reflects strong performance in student achievement, academic growth, attendance, and progress for historically underserved student groups, including English Learners, Economically Disadvantaged students, and students with disabilities. "This recognition is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, and staff," said Dr. Joel Barnes, Principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary. "Our collective efforts have fostered an environment where every student can thrive, and this honor reflects our commitment to excellence." Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Schools, added, "Blythe-Bower's achievement underscores the power of collaboration and a shared vision for student success. We are immensely proud of this accomplishment and the positive impact it has on our community." What It Takes to Be a Reward School Reward Schools are recognized for outstanding academic performance and growth. Here’s a look at what goes into this special achievement: Achievement and Growth: Measures how well students are meeting or exceeding academic standards and making progress. Attendance: Tracks how many students are attending school regularly. English Language Proficiency: Assesses how well students learning English are improving their fluency. High School Indicators: Looks at graduation rates and whether students are prepared for life after high school. This recognition is a celebration of the collaborative efforts of students, teachers, families, and the entire Blythe-Bower community. It’s a reminder that when we work together, great things happen. Please join us in celebrating this incredible milestone for Blythe-Bower Elementary!
Cleveland City Schools Announces District Teachers of the Year and Novice Teachers of the Year for 2024-2025
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Cleveland City Schools Earns Prestigious TVAAS Level 5 Rating Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce that the district has been awarded the highly coveted TVAAS Level 5 rating, signifying exceptional growth in student achievement. This recognition reflects the hard work, commitment, and dedication of the students, teachers, staff, and leadership within the school district. The Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) measures the impact schools and teachers have on their students' academic progress year-over-year. Earning a Level 5 – the highest possible score – highlights the district’s effectiveness in advancing student learning beyond the expected growth. “This achievement is a testament to the focused efforts of our educators, students, and administrators,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Schools for Cleveland City Schools. “We are committed to creating an environment where every student can thrive academically, and this recognition emphasizes the impact of that dedication.” Complementing this recognition, Cleveland High School has reported outstanding graduation rates for the 2023-2024 school year, outperforming state averages in key groups. With an impressive overall graduation rate of 94.4%, Cleveland High has surpassed Tennessee's statewide average of 92.1%. Key Highlights of Cleveland High School's Graduation Success: All Students: 94.4% graduation rate, exceeding the state average of 92.1%. Black/Hispanic/Native American: 94.2%, surpassing the state average of 87.6%. Economically Disadvantaged: 92.8%, compared to the state’s 86.3%. English Learners: 82.0%, higher than the state average of 79.0%. Hispanic Students: 91.1%, outperforming the state’s 88.6%. Students with Disabilities: 87.0%, significantly above the state average of 80.9%. Cleveland City Schools remains committed to providing high-quality education to every student, ensuring they are prepared for success both in the classroom and beyond. Together, we're building champions and building community.
Cleveland City Schools is excited to announce the launch of our 5-Year Strategic Plan process, which outlines our commitment to excellence in education, student success, and community engagement. We invite parents, students, staff, and community members to join us in shaping the future of our schools by sharing your input on our strategic goals. The plan focuses on key areas essential for fostering a thriving learning environment: Student Success: Providing a robust K-12 pathway that integrates Reading,STEM, career readiness, and the arts. Safe & Healthy Schools: Ensuring wellness and safety for our students both in and out of the classroom. High-Quality Staff: Building a diverse team of educators through recruitment, training, and development. Effective Communication: Strengthening connections with our families and stakeholders to keep everyone informed and engaged. We want to hear from YOU! Please share your thoughts and priorities by participating in our ThoughtExchange. Your feedback is invaluable as we work together to create a supportive and dynamic learning environment for all students. Join the Conversation on ThoughtExchange: https://tejoin.com/scroll/241205728 Together, we can ensure Cleveland City Schools continues to provide top-notch education and resources for our community. Thank you for partnering with us on this journey!
Cleveland High School Outperforms State Averages in Key Graduation Rate Metrics for 2023-2024 Cleveland High School proudly announces that its 2023-2024 graduation rates have surpassed state averages in multiple student demographic groups, showcasing the school’s dedication to academic achievement and student support. With a strong overall graduation rate of 94.4%, Cleveland High continues to exceed Tennessee's statewide average of 92.1% and reflects a commitment to ensuring student success across all backgrounds. The latest graduation data released by the Tennessee Department of Education highlights Cleveland High’s significant achievements in several student subgroups, which have outperformed the state averages. This accomplishment is a testament to the tireless efforts of our educators, students, and community in fostering an inclusive, high-achievement environment. Key Highlights of Cleveland High School's Graduation Success: All Students: Cleveland High’s overall graduation rate of 94.4% surpasses the state average of 92.1%. Black/Hispanic/Native American: The school achieved a graduation rate of 94.2% for this group, exceeding the state average of 87.6%. Economically Disadvantaged: Cleveland High reached a graduation rate of 92.8%, compared to the state’s 86.3% for this subgroup. English Learners: With a graduation rate of 82.0%, Cleveland High’s English Learner students exceeded the state average of 79.0%. Hispanic Students: Achieving a graduation rate of 91.1%, Cleveland High's Hispanic students outperformed the state’s 88.6% average. Students with Disabilities: Cleveland High’s graduation rate for students with disabilities stands at 87.0%, significantly higher than the state average of 80.9%. These results reflect Cleveland High School's commitment to supporting every student’s educational journey, from general education to specialized support for our economically disadvantaged, English learners, and students with disabilities. This year's impressive performance underscores the school’s efforts to provide tailored resources and innovative learning programs that prepare students for future academic and career success. “Seeing our students excel and surpass statewide expectations is an affirmation of the hard work our entire school community invests every day,” said Dr. Jeff Elliott, Director of Cleveland City Schools. “We are proud of all of our students for achieving these outstanding graduation rates. Cleveland High will continue to support and empower each student, working tirelessly to create pathways to success for every learner.” Cleveland High School’s achievement reflects the district's broader commitment to ensuring equitable access to high-quality education. This commitment includes additional learning supports like summer programs, tutoring, and college and career exploration initiatives. Cleveland High looks forward to continuing its tradition of excellence and expanding its support systems to help all students thrive.
Cleveland City Schools Staff and CTE Programs Unite to Support Families Impacted by Pediatric Cancer
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month concludes, Cleveland City Schools celebrates the strength, dedication, and inspiring journey of Amy Geren McGowan. Serving as a counselor at Cleveland Middle School and head coach for the Cleveland Blue Raiders girls volleyball team at Cleveland High School, McGowan has become a pillar of support, hope, and resilience in her community. Her remarkable story as a breast cancer survivor continues to encourage students, athletes, and families alike to embrace life’s challenges with courage and compassion. At Cleveland Middle School, McGowan is known for her supportive and empathetic approach, guiding students through both academic and personal growth. In addition, her role as head coach of the Cleveland Blue Raiders girls volleyball team has allowed her to foster teamwork, resilience, and character among young athletes. Her coaching philosophy goes beyond the court, encouraging her players to lead with integrity, perseverance, and kindness. McGowan’s life took an unexpected turn in 2017 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The diagnosis brought her family closer together, shifting their focus from achievements and school sports to cherishing time together. Reflecting on the journey, McGowan shares, “Breast cancer showed us what truly matters. It’s not about winning games or achieving milestones but about embracing life with gratitude and prioritizing our loved ones.” Her strength throughout treatment and recovery became a source of inspiration not only for her family but also for her students and players. Through this journey, McGowan watched her children grow into compassionate, resilient young adults who prioritize serving others. “Witnessing their growth has been one of the greatest gifts,” McGowan says. “My diagnosis changed their lives, teaching them that success lies in character, service, and kindness. I’m incredibly proud of the people they are becoming.” Cleveland City Schools is honored to celebrate Amy Geren McGowan’s story of survival, strength, and selflessness. Her influence, both as a cancer survivor and a dedicated educator and coach, serves as a beacon of hope for the Cleveland community, reminding us all of the power of resilience and unity in the face of adversity.
Hal Taylor is awarded for his work with CCS.
Cleveland High School’s Pearson Waller Achieves World Champion Status
Cleveland Rallies for Pediatric Cancer Awareness and Celebrates Blue Raiders' 5-0 Start
Novice Teacher of the Year
Board of Education
Cleveland Board of Education
In Memory of Barbara Ector
ESC Ribbon Cutting
Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce Dr. Joe Parker as Blythe-Bower’s Assistant Principal. Dr. Parker, who has served as a 5th grade teacher since 2017, will assume his new role starting this upcoming academic year.  Dr. Parker brings a wealth of experience and a strong educational background to his new position. He was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2020 and was recognized with the Above and Beyond Medallion in 2019. His achievements also include an Educational Doctorate with a focus on Professional Practice from Lee University.  In his role at Black Fox Elementary School, Dr. Parker served on the Junior Achievement Programming team as part of the PIE Hub Inspiration Committee, and was instrumental in the development, creation and implementation of programming. Dr. Parker was also a Beta Club sponsor and the site director for summer school in 2023. He has demonstrated remarkable leadership as a Math Teacher Leader and 2022-2023 Cohort for LEAD Leadership Fellowship.  Reflecting on his new role, Dr. Parker stated, "I cannot express how excited I am to join the Blythe-Bower family, alongside a passionate staff."  Director of Schools, Dr. Jeff Elliott expressed his confidence in Dr. Parker, saying, "Dr. Parker’s dedication to education and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment makes him an invaluable addition to our school community. We look forward to the positive impact Dr. Parker will have on our students and staff at Blythe-Bower!"