Park View Elementary Rockets blast off: new school opens for 2024-25 year

Lucy Wheeler, News and Features Editor

   Formerly known as the Pandas, the Parkview Rockets officially started their 2024-25 year in early August. 

   The new school, located near Prescott South, has been under construction for over a year, and the plans for the building have been in the works for even longer. Although originally intended to be a K-8 school, Park View now houses 439 students in grades Pre K-4. 

   “It is exciting to open a new school,” said Superintendent Corby King. “Also, [I am] thankful for the community and Park View students for giving us feedback and being involved in this process.” 

   Office staff started the process of moving items into offices and classrooms in the new building on July 15. Administrators, school board members, and local officers attended an official ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place on July 24, the day before Park View hosted its first open house. 

   “Our approach has centered around community input from the faculty, staff and students at Park View and the Cookeville community at large. As we went through the process, it was wonderful to hear the community’s input,” said Adam Pharris, committee member and Parkview Parent.

   Park View also boasts a higher percentage of students who are at or above proficiency level in math than the district and state, with 47% of Park View students meeting the level compared to 34% for the district and 28% for the state.

   “It was just a great experience to dig deeper into the history of Park View and the history of the south area of Putnam County,” said Pharris.

   “We will strive to meet every child’s needs academically, behaviorally, and emotionally to help them be successful in school and in life,” said Park View Elementary Principal Dr. Melody Presley. “Elementary school is the foundation of your child’s educational career. With your support, Park View School will continue to be a positive environment where all students are successful today, tomorrow, and in the future!”