About Us

Our Mission

The mission of Orchard Knob Elementary is to create a welcoming and structured environment that nurtures curiosity and promotes academic, social, and emotional success.

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Vision

Orchard Knob Elementary is committed to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a competitive society.

Beliefs

  • All students must be academically, socially, and emotionally prepared to lead productive lives.
  • Our students must have the skills and knowledge to become life-long learners and participants in our society.
  • Parents and community stakeholders are essential partners of teachers and students at Orchard Knob Elementary.
  • Every student deserves the right to receive high-quality, data-driven instruction delivered by highly effective teachers who apply best practices that are grounded in research.

Core Values

  • All students deserve a champion.
  • All students deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
  • All students can learn and will thrive.

Academic Focus

Read Effectively

Read Effectively

Think Creatively and Critically

Think Creatively and Critically

Write Logically

Write Logically

Location

Orchard Knob Elementary School is located on Orchard Knob Avenue, bordered by East Third and East Fourth streets.

History

  • 1902: The school originally opened on North Holly Street as Tenth District School.
  • 1904: It moved to its current site and was renamed Orchard Knob due to its proximity to the historic Orchard Knob Reservation, a significant Civil War battle site.

Leadership and Early Education:

  • First Principal: Professor John Williams.
  • Grades: Initially served grades one through twelve.
  • Early Enrollment: Students who could read were placed in first grade, while those who couldn’t were placed in the "charcoal class," similar to today’s kindergarten.

Significant Events:

  • Fire Incident: The original building burned down during Mr. Billingsley's tenure as principal and was subsequently replaced.
  • 1962: Orchard Knob became a city school when the community was incorporated into Chattanooga.

Physical and Educational Changes:

  • 1945: The school began serving grades one through nine.
  • 1968: New classrooms were added.
  • Current Facility: The building now includes thirty-two classrooms, a gymnasium, a cafeteria/auditorium, and a kitchen equipped to serve all students.
  • 1989: Orchard Knob merged with Highland Park Elementary and now serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through fifth grades.
Current Administration and Faculty

Principal

  • Ms. Vonetta Maston

Assistant Principals

  • Dr. Megan Bray
  • Dr. Anthony Goss

Faculty

  • 32 classroom teachers
  • Two ENL (English as a New Language) teachers
  • Two exceptional education teachers
  • STEM/eLab teacher
  • Media Specialist
  • Music teacher
  • Physical education teacher
  • Art teacher
  • One school counselor
  • Three instructional coaches
  • RTI (Response to Intervention) specialist
  • Speech teacher
  • SEAD (Social, Emotional, and Academic Development) Coach
  • Social worker
  • Truancy specialist
  • School psychologist

Additional Staff

  • Secretary
  • Clerical assistant
  • Bookkeeper
  • Behavior Specialist
  • Community Forward specialist
  • Two permanent substitute teachers
  • Four Interventionists
  • Five Educational Assistants
  • Eight cafeteria workers
  • Four custodial staff
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