Germantown Municipal School District

The Germantown Municipal School District (GMSD) is the municipal school district for Germantown, Tennessee, in Shelby County.

The schools included in the district are Dogwood and Farmington elementary schools, Houston Middle School, Riverdale K–8, and Houston High School. Germantown Elementary School, Germantown Middle School, and Germantown High School remain in Shelby County Schools.^[1]

Germantown Municipal School District has a long tradition of academic excellence, coupled with a strong commitment to continuous improvement. Whether improvement comes in the form of capital improvements, expansion of course and curriculum offerings, or providing the best supports for our exemplary teachers—they are dedicated to reinforcing the culture of excellence at each one of their five schools. Student-focused and unique, each school offers families a rich, multi-faceted environment.

With an enrollment of over 5,900 students by 2017, the district has seen huge increases in enrollment since opening its doors in 2014. In the spring of 2016, Germantown Municipal Schools broke ground on an addition to Riverdale K-8 School.^[2] The 64,000 square foot add-on will house the school's middle school population and will exemplify the district's new brand. As enrollment numbers in the elementary school grade bands continues to grow, the district is planning to build a new elementary school which will break ground in the spring of 2018. The high school also saw two additions in its first year—a state-of-the-art television studio^[3] and a new turf field.^[4]

The school board hired Jason Manuel as the district's first superintendent.^[5] Jason Manuel, is himself a product of Germantown schools and has served as an educator in the Germantown community for the past 21 years. In his first year as Superintendent, Manuel earned his fair share of accolades from the State. Named one of twelve Exemplary Districts in Tennessee,^[6] other school districts are looking to Germantown Municipal Schools for ideas and guidance. With two 2015 state-named Reward Schools performing in the top 15% for performance on standardized tests, Germantown Municipal Schools was also proud to announce that the district earned the highest ACT average for the entire State of Tennessee^[7] in its first and second years (consecutively). Manuel and his staff deliver frequent presentations across the State as to how the District has pulled off such successes in such a short time.

With over 60 active clubs and extra-curricular offerings, the district prides itself on creating opportunities for its students to develop as well-rounded citizens. For 18 consecutive years, the athletics program at the district's lone high school has earned the Commercial Appeal's Best of the Preps,^[8] indicating the success and longstanding prowess of Germantown athletes.

In addition to numerous facilities upgrades and awards, Germantown Municipal Schools has also added several programs to its curriculum:

• K-12 STEM Program
• AP Capstone Course
• Dual Enrollment Opportunities, including Work Based Learning through a partnership with Southwest Community College
• Orchestral strings offerings at all five schools
• Technology rich environment supported by over 4,000 provided student devices (laptops and tablets)
• State-of-the-art television studio at the high school
• Specialized academies in honors, fine arts and leadership
• Pre-school programs at each elementary school to support students with disabilities

Germantown Municipal Schools have also been named a Top Place to Work in both 2015 and 2016 by the Commercial Appeal^[9] and offers competitive teacher pay and benefits compared to other districts across the State.

References

External links

• Germantown Municipal School District