Karns High School

Last updated

Karns High School
Address
Karns High School
2710 Byington Solway Road

,
United States
Coordinates 35°58′09″N84°07′48″W / 35.96909°N 84.1301°W / 35.96909; -84.1301
Information
TypePublic
Established1913
PrincipalLaicee Hatfield
Teaching staff89.90 (FTE) [1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment1,341 (2023–2024) [1]
Student to teacher ratio14.92 [1]
Color(s)blue and gold   
Mascot Beavers
Website http://knoxschools.org/karnshs

Karns High School is a public high school in the Karns community of Knox County, Tennessee administered by the Knox County Schools public school district.

Contents

A growing population in western Knox County established in 1913; prior to this time, students were assigned to Central High School, located several miles away in nearby Knoxville. As of the 2008 academic year there were 2,578 enrolled students. Still to date that is the largest number of students enrolled at Karns High School since it was established in 1913. In 1913, the first Karns High School was erected. This building was named after Professor T.C. Karns, the first Superintendent of Public Instruction in Knox County. The high school had an enrollment of 75 students while the elementary school had 160 students. In 1938, a new Karns High School was built at the cost of $74,000. Its location was in the back of the parking lot where the current Karns Intermediate School is. The location chosen had previously been a Dutch cemetery but the bodies were exhumed to Cobb's barn.

In the cornerstone of the new high school, the student body roll of 1938, newspapers, and other information of interest were buried for future generations to look at. Things went well at this location until March 10, 1978, when the building became victim of arson. Due to the quick action of the volunteer fireman, the only losses were the study hall and the temporary loss of two classrooms. Then on March 15, 1978, 5 days after the first fire, Karns became a fiery blaze in the night. At 9:06 p.m., firemen were summoned but weren't as lucky this time. This fire caused the loss of six classrooms, the study hall once again, the auditorium, cafeteria and many books and personal belongings in the lockers on the second and third floors.

Instructional program

Extracurricular activities

Karns High School provides a number of extracurricular activities for its students.

Sports

The mascot for Karns High School is the Beaver. Karns High school rivals are Powell High School and Hardin Valley Academy. Championship history [2]

Sports offered include: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Dance, Football, Golf, Majorettes, Rugby, Soccer , Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball, and Wrestling.

Fine arts and literary clubs

Fine arts and literary clubs are: Concert Band, Chorus, Drama (Musical Theatre), Drumline, Ensemble, Marching band, Orchestra, and Yearbook Staff.

Other clubs and teams

Other clubs and teams are: AFJROTC, CDC & Peer Tutoring, Color Guard, DECA, Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Health Occupation Students of America (Hosa), Key Club, Marching Band, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, Student Government Association (SGA), Technology Student Association (TSA), Young Life, Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA), and Winter Guard

Notable alumni

Honors and awards

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Karns High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  2. "Karns High School Championship History".
  3. "DeSean Bishop - Football". University of Tennessee Athletics. Retrieved May 6, 2025.
  4. "Devin Harper bio". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 15, 2023.
  5. "Thomas Harper bio". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  6. "J.J. McCleskey bio". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved July 15, 2023.