Kingsport City Schools accepting tuition, zoning applications

KINGSPORT - Kingsport City Schools is currently accepting tuition and zoning applications for students in grades K–12 for the 2026-27 school year. Parents or legal guardians of students who are not legal residents of the city of Kingsport must submit a tuition application to attend KCS. Parents or guardians wishing to request a zoning exception for their child to attend a different city school than their designated zone must also apply. Parents or guardians must apply annually for their child's tuition and zoning status, even if they attended KCS during the previous school year. Approval is based on review of the student's attendance, behavior and academic record. Applications are available online at www.k12k.com via the "Tuition & Zoning Application" link at the top of the homepage. If needed, in-person applications can be accessed at the KCS Administrative Support Center, 400 Clinchfield St., second floor, downtown Kingsport. The application deadline is June 5. KCS HIGHLIGHTS KCS has demonstrated excellence in academics, student achievement and growth, according to a news release. In the most recent school year, seven KCS schools - Adams Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Washington Elementary and Dobyns-Bennett High School - earned the prestigious Tennessee Reward School designation, the state's highest recognition for student performance and improvement. For the ninth consecutive year, KCS achieved a Level 5 Composite Score (the highest possible) in the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS). Nine schools also earned individual TVAAS Level 5 Composite Scores: Adams Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Kennedy Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Washington Elementary, Sevier Middle and Dobyns-Bennett High School. Washington Elementary School and D-B EXCEL hold the TN STEM Designation, reflecting their commitment to rigorous STEM/STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education. These schools equip students with 21st-century skills, workforce development opportunities and critical problem-solving abilities. Jackson Elementary and Johnson Elementary are also recognized as Franklin Covey "Leader in Me" Lighthouse Schools, reinforcing their focus on leadership development and student empowerment. The district offers robust educational programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment opportunities, award-winning fine arts and comprehensive career and technical education (CTE) pathways. KCS also boasts a tradition of excellence in athletics, with the winningest high school baseball and basketball programs in the country. KCS celebrates the recognition of its outstanding educators, including the 2024-25 State of Tennessee Principal of the Year and the 2024-25 State of Tennessee Teacher of the Year. To find out the school for which your child is zoned, refer to the online KCS School Zone Finder listed under the "School Zones & Street Directory" link under "Families" at k12k.com, or call the KCS Administrative Support Center at (423) 378-2100. For additional information, contact Jim Nash, chief student services officer, at (423) 378-2169 or jnash@k12k.com.