New Center Elementary

2701 Old Newport Highway

School District

Sevier County
Grade

K-8
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:15
Type

public

School Map for Sevier County School District

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on November 18, 2021

As far as we have been enrolled at this school for 4 months now and not only have we not had any help when asked but they also allowed my 1st grader to get on a random bus unknowingly and weren’t able to inform me of her whereabouts for over an hour. On the teacher note I have asked and asked for ways to help her academically for the teachers to ignore me or reply hours or days later we’ll past bed time or time to be able to help her. We bring issues and problems up to the teacher to just be brushed aside. My child is made to feel like she isn’t cared for. She’s complained of headaches to be told “well I don’t know what to do for you” she complained about other kids being mean to be told “well?” She’s came home telling me she got hurt at school and they did nothing for her. My child has a problem holding her attention and we’ve talked to the teachers on ways to help to just get told “tell her to pay attention” …like we haven’t tried that already? We’ve tried talking to the teachers about her anxiety over being rushed to just continue to hear her cry about how the teachers are rushing her and won’t help her. On top of it I’ve never been allowed in the school or even met these teachers face to face so all in all our experience at this school in as little as 4 months has been nothing but heartbreaking as a parent for my FIRST grader to have to go through.
Submitted by other on April 15, 2015

I think this school overall is a good school with a few exceptions! I am not sure the substitute teachers they hire have been screened properly. I have had several bad reports that on several occasions the substitute teachers yell at the students and sit in class and eat all day in from to the students which should not be permitted! I don't know of any job where eating all day is permitted but the main complaint I have is how rude the subs treat the children when their teacher is out for the day. It is hard for students when their day is disrupted with a fill in teacher and for that teacher to be rude and downright mean when they are used to be treated good by their full time teacher is not right! I feel when there is a substitute teacher they should not be permitted to yell at children under any circumstance! Crushing a child's spirit or making them feel embarrassed should never be permitted it could be handled by taking them aside and speaking in private about issues the teacher has with a child!
Submitted by parent on September 17, 2014

Terrible school. Anytime I've been there I've found kids wandering the school with no supervision. My son's teacher lost track of him for over 15 minutes on more than 3 occasions. The vice principal is barely intelligent enough to speak a sentence and the counselors themselves will tell you they're underqualified. I think the staff needs an education worse than the students! Needless to say, our son has been transferred.
Submitted by other on October 19, 2013

New Center is one of the best schools in Sevier County. The teachers and administration are dedicated to providing the highest possible learning experience for the students. Students are thoroughly prepared for high school upon exiting New Center and since the school is K-8, students have a strong sense of community.
Submitted by other on January 18, 2013

It's been a long time since I went to New Center, but the whole experience was pretty good. The one thing (as another reviewer said) was there aren't a lot of male teachers. But to give you an idea of how great Dr. Sims is as a principal... my brother and I went to this school when we were very little (K and 1st), then we moved away to Michigan for awhile. When we moved back a couple years later, not only did she remember both of us (separately), but she also remembered our mother's name, job, everything. The lady really cares, and her personable personality isn't just a front. When my best friends little brother went there, we'd sometimes pick him up, and even 6 years after we'd both left the school, Dr. Sims still knew who we were. And it's not like either of us were outstanding students that were very involved or in trouble very often. I honestly have nothing bad to say about the school, and I expect the people that do are busy-buddies or people that have had the luxury of seeing schools with more money.
Submitted by parent on December 21, 2012

We moved here from Middle TN. We have 18 years of experience in various school systems in the Middle TN area as well as AL. This particular school I wouldn't recommend due to the bullying problem. I have never witnessed such a problem that has been swept under the rug for many years. If you are moving from a great school system then you will be disappointed. We will be transferring our son to The Gatlinburg school. As far as academics go.... I think this school is good. However, my child can't concentrate long enough because of the constant bullying.
Submitted by other on December 15, 2011

My family moved here15 years ago and my nephew started in the 4th grade. We found the school and the staff to be outstanding....My nephew now is the head programmer for GE....Dr. Sims is very much involved in everything...The people in the area are wonderful...