Fort Craig is a year round, school of choice in the Maryville City School System.

In 1995, a team of educators spent a year researching "Best Practices" in Education across the country and abroad. The instructional model chosen was ITI (Integrated Thematic Instruction) developed by Susan Kovalik. The model is now called HET (Highly Effective Teaching). The model is founded on the biology of human learning and how that relates to the classroom.

The foundation of the program is the 5 Lifelong Guidelines (truthfulness, trustworthiness, active listening, no put downs and personal best) which set the standard for how adults and students treat each other. The result is a calm, respectful environment that creates the required emotional climate for powerful learning. Personal Best is defined by 18 LIFESKILLS that include social and personal skills, such as caring, perseverance, flexibility, problem solving and sense of humor. These skills are incorporated into curriculum, taught and reinforced daily.

HET teachers write curriculum that is connected to a compelling year long theme incorporating Tennessee state standards. HET provides real-world situations for applying skills and concepts.

ELEMENTS of our program include:

Enriched, Home-like Environment

Hands-on, Brain Compatible Instruction

Multiage Classrooms

Incorporation of LIFESKILLS & LifeLong Guidelines

Meaningful Content

Year Round Calendar with Dynamic class offerings during breaks

Class Families and Learning Clubs Movement with intent

Year long themes

Being-There Experiences

Technology that supports Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learning

Foreign Language Exposure

Performing Arts & Community Service Projects

Parents as Partners Program