Welcome to the 2026-2027 School Year!

Dear Knox County Students, Families, and Staff,

We hope you have enjoyed the extended summer and had the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends. As we prepare to begin a new school year, Knox County Public Schools is filled with renewed excitement, anticipation, and opportunity. We are proud of the work taking place across our district and look forward to all that this school year will bring for our students, staff, and families.

While our students have been enjoying their summer, our schools have been busy preparing for their return. Across the district, our employees have worked diligently to prepare classrooms, plan meaningful learning experiences, ensure our buildings and buses are safe, and make our schools welcoming places for students and families. From our teachers, principals, and counselors to our custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, office staff, instructional assistants, maintenance teams, School Resource Officers, and countless others, it has truly been a team effort.

We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of every employee who has worked throughout the summer to ensure our schools are ready for our students and staff on Monday, August 24.

Our commitment remains clear: to provide every student with a high-quality education in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where they are challenged to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

To our students, we encourage you to believe in yourself, work hard, embrace challenges, and make the most of every opportunity. 

To our families, thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with our schools. When our schools, families, and communities work together, our students will succeed!

As we begin this new school year, let us remember what KCPS stands for and what we strive for every day:

Believe. Achieve. Succeed.

Believe in yourself, your abilities, and your future.

Achieve through hard work, determination, and perseverance.

Succeed by becoming the best version of yourself and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to welcoming our students back into our classrooms.

Together, let's make this a year filled with learning, growth, opportunity, and success.

Welcome back, KCPS!

Believe. Achieve. Succeed.

Sincerely,

Jeremy Ledford
Superintendent
Knox County Public Schools