Area Schools & Sports

Overview of White County School System

Web Site: http://sunsite.utk.edu/volweb/www/school/whiteco

Donny Haley is the Superintendent and can be reached at the White County Education Building, 136 Baker Street, Sparta, Tennessee 38583-1700. Ph:(931) 836-2229.

The central professional staff of superintendent, supervisor of instruction, attendance supervisor, special programs supervisor, and school psychologists serve throughout the system and would each be happy to discuss any phase of the educational program upon request. Any member of his staff can be reached through that office. Anyone wishing to visit the White County Board of Education Internet site may log on at http://voyager.rtd.utk.edu/volweb/school/whiteco

There are ten (10) schools in the White County School System

Elementary Schools and Middle School offer a 22:1 pupil/teacher ratio, and the High School a 23:2 ratio.

BonDeCroft Elementary K-5
Gary Alspaugh, Principal
8095 Crossville Hwy
Sparta, Tennessee 38583
Phone 931-935-2359

Cassville Elementary School K-5
Geeta McMillan, Principal
261 Will Thompson Road
Sparta, Tennessee 38583
Ph: 761-2277

Central View Elementary School K-5
Kem Marcum, Principal
14484 Old Kentucky Road
Walling, Tennessee 385887
Ph: 931-761-2907

Doyle Elementary School K-5
Craig Lynn, Principal
174 West Gooseneck Road,
Doyle, Tennessee 38559
Ph: 931-657-2287

Findlay Elementary School K-5
Sue Carmichael, Principal
576 Hale St.
Ph: 931-738-2412

Northfield Elementary School K-5
David McCulley, Principal
570 S. Bunkerhill Road
Ph: 931-761-7979

Woodland Park Elementary School K-5
Gary Sparkman, Principal
88 Panther Drive
Ph: 931-738-3505

White County Middle School 6-7-8
Paul Steele, Principal
300 Turntable Road
Sparta, Tennessee 38583
Ph: 931-738-9238

White County High School 9-12
Charles Dycus, Principal
267 Allen Drive
Ph: 931-836-3214

White/Van Buren Vocational School
Bobby Sparkman, Director
275 Allen Drive
Sparta, Tennessee 38583
Ph: 931-836-8140

Private Schools:

Volunteer Christian Academy -The Principal may be reached at 931-738-2102.

Colleges close by:

Tennessee Technological University - Cookeville
Middle Tennessee State University - Murfreesboro
Motlow Community College - McMinnville
Tennessee Technological University - McMinnville

There are two (2) elementary schools, the Middle School, and the High School which are located inside the city limits. The other five (5) elementary schools are located in outlying areas of the county. These schools have an enrollment of 3,754

White County High School, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, offers a varied program of academic and vocational subjects.

Sports available at WCHS are Football, Softball, Volleyball, Baseball, Basketball, Golf, Tennis, Soccer, and Track. A new Recreation Park adjoins the campus and has enriched the athletic and physical education opportunities in that school with the following: Track, 4 Tennis Courts, 3 Multi-Purpose Courts, 6 Horseshoe Stations, Volleyball Courts, and a Baseball Batting Cage.

The High School has an enrollment of 1,078 students and a staff of 62. There are 3 Guidance Counselors, the Principal, 3 Vice-Principals who serve all students. Mr. Charles Dycus,

Principal or any of the aforementioned persons will be pleased to answer specific questions concerning this school and its operation.

There are two (2) Librarians in the well established library there. The facility itself is attractive, well-kept, and arranged quite satisfactorily for maximum educational opportunities for students.

Two IBM Computer Lab has also been added with 55 work stations available for students.

Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, White County Middle School offers its 929 students, grades 6,7, and 8, many opportunities for learning with departmentalized classes ranging from comprehensive development to academic excellence. The academic program includes algebra, pre-algebra, computer skills, art, music, and applied technology, as well as all required subject area. Club activities, Student Council, and band, further engage the students in interesting, wholesome experiences.

Sixth grade students will be taught in 2 teacher teams with 1 teaching language arts and reading and the other teaching math and science. Both will teach social studies. Sixth graders will also have a 7 week block of art, music and computer-based technology plus 2 sections or 14 weeks of physical education.

Seventh and 8th grades have been set up differently. Four teachers teams will teach math, science, social studies and literature, with 1 teacher per subject. Plus, the students are able to choose 3 elective classes which last 12 weeks each. Among those electives are the history of White County, creative writing, drama, math for fun, model rocketry and public speaking.

The administration has also created the All-Star Program which divides students into teams with a teacher as the leader. The teams will meet 2 days a week for 40 minutes, and during this time, the teacher communicates with the students on subjects that affect their lives.

The PTA (Parents and Teachers Association) has been implemented for middle school parents.

Interscholastic football, basketball, golf, and volleyball, and soccer, along with many intramural activities, provide opportunities for students to participate in sports.

A staff of 59 includes the principal, 1 1/2 assistant principal, 2 guidance counselor and a librarian.

All elementary schools have excellent programs. Most are organized as self-contained classrooms, although two (2) of the larger ones have departmentalized 5th grades. Sizes vary with the largest elementary school having 39 full-time teachers. Four Elementary Guidance Counselors serve all seven (7) schools and we have one (1) Physical Education Teachers for every two (2) schools. The total enrollment for grades K-5 is 1,800.

All schools have library holdings, which exceed state requirements, with Title II Federal Library Resources, supplementing all library programs.

System-wide programs include (1) Special Education (24 teachers) which has facilities for severely to moderately handicapped students in five comprehensive development classes (self contained) as well as the plan for mainstreaming and resource class placement; (2) the Title 1 Program (9 teachers) which serves educationally deprived students in reading and mathematics. (3) a school nurse who serves all schools (4) a Family Resource Director.

It is felt that the White County School System compares favorably with all others of any size in this area. Certainly, it is a source of pride that it excels in many ways as is evidenced by the success of so many of its graduates, both in college and in the business world. This school system will welcome inquiries and visits by prospective members of this community. Indeed, we urge the general public to pay us a visit and investigate the many opportunities for learning that we have.

General information about our schools would also include the following:

Elementary Schools

Findlay Elementary has a staff of 30 teachers, Doyle School has 12, Cassville has 14,

BonDeCroft has 12, and Central View has 7 and Woodland Park has 40, Northfield has 12.

Testing Program

1. Senior graduates in 2000 - 204, in 2001 - 205, 2002 - 211, 2003 - 194, 2004-225
2. White County schools consistently rank near or above state averages in all subject areas.

Outstanding Features of the White County School Program:

Project FUN (Families United Now Against Alcohol and Drugs) is a locally designed and highly successful drug education program at WCMS. Project WIN (We're Involved Now in the Fight against Alcohol and Drugs) is also an outstanding program at WCMS.
Career counseling is a valuable feature at the White County Middle School, spearheaded by the Guidance and Industrial Arts Departments.
Scholarships exceeding $424,900 are awarded annually to students of WCHS. Thousands of dollars in grants and loans are also presented yearly.
An excellent 4 week summer remedial program is offered for students of Grades 1-8, as well as selected classes for Grades 9-12.
An innovative enrichment program is available to elementary students after school hours and during the summer. After school tutoring is also available to every student in White County.
Community pride in the school program is evidenced by the PTA's, PTO's, and Community Clubs, which join hands with teachers and work to improve schools.
White County High School has been selected by Josten's Foundation to participate in their Renaissance program. A combined effort by businesses, parents, Civic organizations, concerned citizens and the White County High School faculty will reward a broad range of students for improvement in grades, attendance and attitudes,
Dual credit English and advanced placement U.S. History at WCHS offer students the opportunity to earn college credit.
Approximately 70% of faculty members in grades 7-12 hold advanced degrees.
JTPA program is offered for disadvantaged and at-risk students.
Future plans of graduates from WCHS are: (estimates)

College/University 45%

Military 5%

Vocational/Technical School 20%

Work force, other 30%

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UT Chapter Notes

Of Special Note

Outstanding Chapter Awards

The White County UT Alumni Chapter was organized in the early 1960's. The chapter has adopted By-laws and holds two meetings each year. The chapter is currently working on a history of the chapter. The chapter has received the Outstanding Chapter Award several times and for 1998-1999 received the President's Award - the only rural county in Tennessee to receive it. Members of the Chapter have several honors; namely, National Alumni President, Member of Board of Trustees, and Member of Board of Governors, Chairman of the Woman's Council and an All American football player. For additional information call Sparta/White County Chamber of Commerce.