Celebrating McGavock Elementary

McGavock Elementary: “Little School on the Hill” is Big Part of Its Community  
Posted on 01/11/2022
McGavock Pre-K student

McGavock Elementary School’s history dates to 1956, when it opened with 402 students in grades 1-6 and a faculty of 12 teachers and a teaching principal. The school was named for a prominent McGavock family in the Donelson-Two Rivers area. Since its founding, parental engagement and community collaboration have been particularly important pillars of McGavock Elementary’ s philosophy. McGavock students holding up their art

McGavock’s spirit of academic excellence continues to be reflected in several ways today:  

  • The school starts every day with a Responsive Classroom Morning Meeting at which students greet one another, share, and start their day in collaborative fun.   
  • The school staff works hard to make Every Student Known on a regular basis. In addition to monitoring academic growth, meetings occur every two weeks to address students’ individual needs and what is required to be successful. McGavock has created an environment where all who enter are welcome and where every student can experience a safe accepting place to learn and grow.    
  • McGavock Elementary offers challenging and engaging academics for all students as well as programs that support the development of the whole child, including visual and performing arts and physical and emotional wellness. They use the Sown to Grow program to complete weekly written check-ins with students to hear how they are feeling. 

Interesting Facts About McGavock

  • It is “the little school on the hill,” perched behind one of the oldest white oak trees in Davidson County.  
  • It is a diverse school where at least 10 different languages are spoken, and the student population represents 14 countries.   
  • McGavock offers integrated co-taught classes for non-English-speaking scholars so they can learn alongside their peers.   
  • Teachers collaborate to provide equitable learning opportunities and experiences for learners. The school collaboratively builds equitable pathways that support all learners in gaining equal access to the curriculum.  
  • McGavock focuses on supporting families by providing weekly fruit and vegetable bags through the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables program.  
  • Each year, the entire student population receives new backpacks and school supplies through a partnership with Donelson Church of Christ.  
  • Partnerships with the Tennessee Lottery, Alliance Bernstein, and Horace Mann Insurance support students and staff.  
  • McGavock staff members partner with Angel Tree to provide families with gifts for the holidays.    
  • The McGavock Giving Closet provides school attire for students.  
  • Students who are “Caught Being Kind” receive a recognition postcard and have their photo displayed on a school bulletin board. McGavock students in music class

Executive Principal Rae Covey is proud of McGavock’s accomplishments.  

“As a culturally responsive school, we have created an environment that is safe and nurturing where our students are able to turn their attention to learning in an inclusive school. Our goal is for all students to feel valued, and all have a sense of belonging, significance, and fun,” Covey said.
“McGavock staff have created a school-wide atmosphere where students feel that they are part of an academic community, that the work they do is important, and that the environment they are working in is designed for them to learn. The success of all students drives our collective efforts, and the social-emotional well-being of students is the foundation on which all else is built.”

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