What You Should Know About Normal Park Museum Magnet School: Sharing the Perspective of Dr. Jamelie Johns, School Principal
By Emma Smith
Located in Chattanooga’s charming Northshore neighborhood, Normal Park Museum Magnet School is widely recognized as a pillar of innovative education. In a June 20, 2024 email, school principal Dr. Jamelie Johns shared her perspective about what makes Normal Park so special.
One of only 48 schools nationwide with the specialized Museum School designation, Normal Park works closely with local museums to craft a dynamic curriculum, which allows students to explore, discover, and create. According Johns, “This model is based on the idea that students learn best through personal exploration and hands-on experience.” This approach serves to nurture students’ autonomy and independence, while simultaneously fostering a vibrant learning community amongst students, their peers, and the city they call home.
The school operates across two campuses; The Lower School accommodates preK-3 students, while Upper School hosts grades 4-8, with both campuses situated less than a mile apart. Normal Park is a zone magnet school, drawing half of its students from the immediate area and attracting the remainder from across Chattanooga, and the total student body is approximately 800 students.
Central to Normal Park’s educational philosophy are hands-on experiences and community engagement through “learning expeditions.” These expeditions send students out into the community to apply their knowledge practically. Following these experiences, students curate museum-style exhibits, showcasing what they’ve learned at quarterly Exhibit Nights, which are attended by parents and community members alike.
Normal Park commitment to STEM education has garnered recognition from the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. This dedication is bolstered by parental and familial involvement, thanks to whom thousands of volunteer hours are contributed annually, which underscores the strong community support that is so instrumental in the school’s success.
Looking ahead, Normal Park is set to enhance its facilities, with a new e-lab for the Lower School slated for the 2024-2025 academic year. Outdoor spaces across both campuses are also being developed, featuring hiking trails, gardens, and performance areas.
Supporting these initiatives is SPARK, the school’s parent organization, which fundraises for educational programs such as a dance curriculum—something that’s unique in Hamilton County. Moreover, Normal Park collaborates closely with local museums including the Creative Discovery Museum, Chattanooga Zoo, Tennessee Aquarium, Bessy Smith Cultural Center, The Hunter Museum of Art, and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center.
As mentioned above, homesThe school has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the recent recognition of Mrs. Matty Hardy, its e-lab specialist, as the Hamilton County Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024. In 2005, just three years after the school’s opening, it was named the best magnet school in the country.
Normal Park is a shining example of the ways that education, community, and cultural enrichment can combine to create an engaging and exciting school atmosphere for students. Through ongoing innovation and growth in its programs, and with the representation of community-elected officials such as School Board Member Ben Connor, City Council Member Jenny Hill, and County Commissioner David Sharpe, Normal Park fosters the development of future generations as active learners and leaders within the Chattanooga community and beyond.