Kindergarten registration for Murfreesboro City Schools is open now through May 14 for students entering kindergarten for the 2021-22 school year. All children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before August 15, 2021.

Families of incoming kindergartners have options for registering for the upcoming school year. Upcoming kindergarten students with siblings attending MCS can register through their existing Family Access Account.  New students without siblings in the district can complete the registration online or at their zoned school during in-person registration opportunities.  These dates may vary by school and information can be found on the school’s website.

Online registration can be accessed at Kindergarten Registration beginning Thursday, May 7th through Friday, May 14th. Simply follow the instructions on the kindergarten registration page.

Early registration allows schools to prepare for the upcoming school year. It also allows families to receive resources and updates throughout the summer.

A complete registration includes:

* Your child’s Official Birth Certificate
* Tennessee Dept. of Health Certification of Immunization
* Proof of Physical within the last year
* Verification of Your Address. This must be a current utility bill with name and address. (Example: Water, Electric, Gas).
Parents are urged to register their children online or through a paper application even if they do not have all of their required forms or certificates. Missing forms may be turned in prior to the first day of school.

Kindergarten Registration

Click here for Kindergarten flyer

“Take 20”, a 20-minute program focused on all things Murfreesboro City Schools, premiers Monday, April 12 at 7 p.m. on CityTV, City of Murfreesboro Facebook and YouTube and Murfreesboro City Schools Facebook.

The inaugural April episode with hosts Dr. Trey Duke and Ms. Maria Johnson highlights the many exciting learning opportunities happening in the schools.

The April 2021 edition features:
• Student Host Dylan Douglas and Farmer Gabby in the gardens
• Student Host Gus Golden and Music Teachers Tony Hartman and Ryan Stewart
• Student Host Elizabeth Dixon and Sheri Arnette with Tea with Ms. Sheri
• Student Guest Greyson Jones and Cindy Cliche with a math-based card game

The April episode of “Take 20” will air on Mondays at 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Murfreesboro CityTV can be found on Comcast Channel 3 and 1094, AT&T U-verse channel 99, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV via Cablecast Screen weave, YouTube, and the City website www.murfreesborotn.gov/citytv.

“Take 20” is produced and directed by John Padgett with CityTV, and Lisa Trail and Tori Carr with MCS Communications.

Summer School will be available for MCS students currently in grades K-6. It will be held starting June 2nd through July 21st with a break on the week of July 1st through the 6th. Summer School will be held Monday – Friday from 7:30am to 12:30pm. Transportation will be available.

Summer School Frequently Asked Questions

What are the days of summer school?
June 2 through July 21 with a break from July 1 through 6

What are the hours of summer school?
Summer school will be 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m

Which students are eligible?
All students currently attending MCS in Kindergarten through 6th grade.

Will meals be served?
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Will all schools host summer school?
Schools will be paired for summer school by location and student numbers.

Will summer school be offered virtually?
Summer school will be in-person learning only.

What protocols will be followed?
We will continue to follow COVID protocols including masks, class size of no more than 12, and temperature checks.

Can Pre-k students attend summer school?
Kindercamp will be offered to pre-k students in July.

Are special education students eligible for summer school?
Yes, accommodations will be provided.

Is there a cost to attend?
There is no cost to parents for a child to attend summer school.

Will ESP be available?
ESP is open around the summer school day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a fee associated with ESP. Please ask your ESP site director for more details.

Will attendance be taken?
Yes, however, we know vacations will be scheduled during this time. Don’t let this hinder you from enrollment.

Will transportation be provided?
Yes, buses will be running during summer school. A transportation form will need to be completed by parents before summer school begins.

Will grades be recorded?
No, grades will not be recorded for summer school.

What will be the focus of study for summer school?
Summer school will focus on English Language Arts and Math skills.  This will serve as an enhancer for grade level standards.

The MCS Voluntary Pre-K program is now accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year.  This program is funded by a grant for low income or at-risk children and serves four-year old children who are zoned for a city school. Children must be 4, but not yet 5 years old on August 15th, 2021 to register for pre-k. A birth certificate, proof of address, and proof of income will be collected along with a completed application during registration.

For additional information, visit the preschool page on this website or click the link below.

Pre-K

Murfreesboro City Schools (MCS) is pleased to have three controlled choice schools as options for our students and parents. Our choices include the following content focuses:
• Arts
• STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)
• Leadership
These campuses are part of a strong portfolio of schools within our district.

MCS sets high academic standards for all students at each of our traditional and controlled choice schools equipping them with the knowledge and ability to succeed in high school and beyond.

Below you will find a brief description of our controlled choice schools aimed at helping you make informed decisions about whether a controlled choice school is right for your child. Please feel free to contact the school principal for additional details or visit the school website. Controlled choice enrollment is limited.

Bradley Academy – Arts Integrated School
Bradley Academy is recognized for excellence in arts — creative writing, drama, instrumental music, theater, visual arts and vocal music. Coupled with a strong academic program, Bradley develops both the artistic and academic talents of its students.

Hobgood Elementary – STEM School
The STEM program shows students the value of learning skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students learn to become critical thinkers through hands-on academic experiences that involve innovative new technologies.

Mitchell-Neilson – Leadership Academy
Leader in Me is an innovative, school-wide model that increases teacher effectiveness, student engagement, and academic achievement, while preparing students to be leaders in the 21st century. The development of good habits, grounded in the values of citizenship and leadership, is a fundamental part of this philosophy.

How does the process work?
Controlled choice schools have a limited number of openings. Applications will be accepted from April 5th through April 30th.

A letter of acceptance will be mailed to students on or before May 18th. After receiving your letter of acceptance, parents must complete and return a letter of intent. The letter of intent will be part of the acceptance packet sent to parents.

Students may be admitted after the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year if space permits based on the principal’s discretion.

Please note:
• Bus transportation is not provided for students utilizing the controlled choice school out of zone.
• Students must stay in good standing with school in regards to tardies and absences.
• Students not following school policies will be reviewed for possible return to the zoned schools.
• Students will adhere to the provisions outlined in the parent handbook.
• Rising students are not guaranteed placement in a controlled choice school. School records will be reviewed.
• Parents/guardians are requested to participate in PTO or other school volunteer roles.

(Download the Choice School Application for 2021-2022)

Murfreesboro City Schools (MCS) is accepting applications for typical peer models for the Integrated Preschool Program. The MCS Integrated Preschool offers preschoolers, with and without disabilities, challenging experiences through a language-based curriculum. Peer model candidates serve as role models and helpers for students who have special needs.

Children should be 4 years old by August 15, 2021 to apply.  Peer models must have average to above average speech/language, social, and cognitive skills to be considered.

The Integrated Preschool classrooms follow a preschool curriculum emphasizing age appropriate developmental and kindergarten readiness skills. The program is a structured teaching environment where children with special needs and peer models learn together in a classroom that is staffed with one special education teacher and two education assistants. The interdisciplinary early childhood curriculum aims to synthesize research-based approaches in four domains of learning: mathematics, science, literacy, and social-emotional development.

Murfreesboro City Schools currently has 11 integrated preschool classrooms located in five schools within the city limits.

Integrated Preschool follows the school calendar and school day hours. ESP is also available for peer models. More information and applications are available at: http://www.cityschools.net/…/integrated-preschool-program.

Screenings for peer model candidates begin in March 2021.  A fee of $300 per month will be assessed for attendance as a peer model for the preschool program.

The Integrated Preschool Program is separate from the traditional preschool program offered through Murfreesboro City Schools.

Murfreesboro City Schools is proud to announce the 2020-2021 Teachers of the Year. Teachers from each school are nominated for the prestigious education award given by the Tennessee Department of Education.

Twenty-six teachers were chosen by their peers for the honor based on their commitment to teaching excellence both in and outside of the classroom. These teachers were recognized for their outstanding abilities and their willingness to devote their professional lives to enrich the lives of students.

School Level Teachers of the Year are:

Overall Creek – Melissa Horn, Lauren Moore
Cason Lane Academy – Rachel Matthews, Jacqueline Keller
Scales – Kimberly Christopher, Tony Hartman
Mitchell-Neilson School – Lara Clementi, Brice Reed
Black Fox – Becky Smith, Dionne McCullough
John Pittard – Craig Nelius, Carla Calvin
Hobgood – Kelsey Rone, Abbey Thomas
Bradley Academy – Alli Nivison, Taylor Witsaman
Discovery School – Tiara Vance, Meredith Gilliland
Salem – Emily Cone, Natalie Adcock
Reeves-Rogers – Shae Miga, Sandra Daniel
Northfield – Nell Simpson, Sarah Easterly
Erma-Siegel – Rachel Pepper, Mark Hale

Two educators were selected as System-level honorees and will represent MCS at the regional level. The 2020-21 MCS System-level Teacher of the Year recipients are: Mark Hale from Erma-Siegel Elementary and Tiara Vance from Discovery.

The Tennessee Teacher of the Year program is designed to promote recognition, respect and appreciation for teachers, to stimulate interest in teaching as a career, and to encourage public involvement in education.

The Murfreesboro City School Board is proud to announce their intention to enter into a contract negotiation with Mr. Trey Duke as Director of Murfreesboro City Schools.

The School Board embarked on the search for a Director of Schools in 2020 knowing that the ideal candidate would possess a strong knowledge of early childhood development and educational best practices; have the wisdom to know when change is necessary and the ability to generate such change; work effectively with individuals, staff members, business and diverse community groups; and also serve as a resource and guide for the MCS community.

Simultaneously, the Director of Schools should support the MCS faculty and their professional growth, understand and appreciate the perspectives of parents, and build and maintain relationships with a wide range of people throughout the Murfreesboro community.

“The Board is confident that we have secured this leader in Mr. Duke,” says Board Chair Butch Campbell.

Mr. Duke joined Murfreesboro City Schools in 2019 to coordinate the opening of Salem Elementary and to serve as Principal. Mr. Duke previously served as the Coordinator of Federal Programs and Response to Intervention with Rutherford County Schools. He had also served as the Coordinator of Instructional Technology and RTI as well as a principal at Smyrna Elementary.

Mr. Duke holds a M.Ed in Educational Leadership from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and is anticipated to receive his Ed.D in Assessment, Learning, and School Improvement from MTSU this Spring. Mr. Duke holds many awards including the Milken National Educator Award, RCS Supervisor of the Year and TNTESOL Administrator of the Year. Mr. Duke currently serves as an Innovations in Assessment Core Team Member for the Tennessee Department of Education.

The Board utilized the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) to embark on a nationwide search process. TSBA met with community members, staff and the MCS School Board to determine the criteria for a successful candidate for Murfreesboro City Schools and presented five candidates at the December School Board meeting. While observing COVID protocols, the board interviewed all five candidates. The interviews were available for staff members and community to view on City TV and online on YouTube.

“Thank you to the many members of our community who participated in our zoom meetings, watched the interviews and provided valued feedback to our board members,” says Campbell. “Your thoughtful feedback helped the board determine that Mr. Duke’s leadership, experience, and abilities were the right fit for Murfreesboro City Schools.”
“While we continue to mourn the loss of Dr. Linda Gilbert; the Board is optimistic that Mr. Duke can begin a new chapter for Murfreesboro City Schools. We look forward to the opportunity to work with Mr. Duke in the future,” says Campbell.

MCS had five highly qualified and talented individuals interviewed by the Board during the final selection for the Director of Schools. Murfreesboro City Schools remains an exemplary school district serving nearly 9,000 students in 13 schools.

The Murfreesboro City School Board passed on first reading the school calendar for 2021-22. This calendar may change slightly and will come before the School Board in February for the second and final reading.

(Download the Proposed 2021-2022 Calendar Draft)

Murfreesboro City Schools will host a virtual job fair on Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CST.

The virtual job fair will give teachers an opportunity to visit with administrators from all thirteen schools. Teachers should register for the job fair by visiting MCSvirtualjobfair.

Registrants are guaranteed a minimum of 3 interviews with school administrators.

Zoom links will be sent to registrants with interview schedules during the week of February 8, 2021.

For additional information, please email maryam.hill@cityschools.net.

Murfreesboro City Schools is an exemplary school district serving over 8,800 students in 13 schools.

http://bit.ly/mcsvirtualjobfair