About Us

Located in Board of Education District 5 and KCS Region 1, West Hills Elementary School proudly serves a vibrant and diverse community in the heart of west Knoxville, Tennessee. Our school opened its doors in 1958, and since then, it has been home to students representing 21 different nations, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and experiences that strengthen our learning community.

At West Hills, we take pride in being Purposeful, Respectful, Inclusive, Dependable, and Empathetic—values that guide every interaction and decision within our school. We are committed to fostering a nurturing and engaging environment where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to reach their fullest potential.

With a focus on academic excellence, character development, and community connection, West Hills Elementary continues to build a tradition of excellence where students are inspired to learn, lead, and grow together.

School History

School History

In 1955, the rapidly growing population in West Knox County and the overcrowding of Bearden Elementary School made it necessary to add an additional elementary school to meet the community’s educational needs. The planning for the construction of West Hills Elementary School began with the retention of Barber and McMurry architectural firm in 1957. Construction of the new West Hills Elementary School was completed in 1958 with the school accommodating grades one through eight.

In 1964, four classrooms were added to each end of the school. In 1969, seventh and eighth grade students were transferred from West Hills to Bearden Junior High. Then, in 1979, the sixth grade was moved to Bearden Middle School as part of a middle school reorganization plan. Initially a part of the Knoxville City School System, in 1987 West Hills Elementary School was incorporated into the Knox County System when the city officials elected to cease operation of a school system.

The area continued to experience growth, and in 1988 West Hills Elementary School was enlarged and completely renovated. Although this latest expansion and renovation still serves the current population, four additional portable classrooms were added in 2000 to accommodate a population increase of almost 130 students during a single year. In 2005 Amherst Elementary School opened and through rezoning, thirty-one of West Hills’ students were moved to Amherst Elementary School. Currently, West Hills Elementary is a school of almost 725 students in grades PreK-5.

West Hills Elementary School is located off Interstate 40 West in the West Hills Community and inside the city limits of Knoxville, Tennessee. The school zone covers a wide and diverse area with an inclusion of subsidized housing, apartments, and subdivision residences.

West Hills School 1958 — West Hills School opened in September 1958.

Principal

Dr. Kristen Jackson

Dr. Kristen Jackson serves as the principal of West Hills Elementary School, located in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is dedicated to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff while ensuring a rigorous and supportive learning environment for all.
Dr. Jackson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services/Psychology from Carson Newman University, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University, an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University, and a Doctorate in Instructional Leadership (Ed.D.) from the University of the Cumberlands.

Her career in education began as a classroom teacher at Christenberry Elementary (2012–2017). She then served as Assistant Principal at West Hills Elementary from 2017–2022 before becoming principal in the fall of 2022.

West Hills Elementary continues to thrive under Dr. Jackson’s leadership, with a focus on student achievement, inclusivity, and community collaboration.

E-mail Dr. jackson

Assistant Principal

Ms. Suzanne Hammonds

Ms. Suzanne Hammonds is a dedicated educator and school leader with over two decades of experience in special education and instructional leadership. She began her teaching career in 1999 as a Resource Teacher at Loudon Elementary in Loudon, Tennessee, where she served until 2004. From 2004 to 2012, she continued her work as a Resource Teacher at Highland Park Elementary in Loudon, Tennessee, further developing her expertise in special education.

In 2012, Ms. Hammonds joined Ridgedale Alternative School in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she served as a Special Education K-5 Self-Contained Teacher and LEAD Teacher until 2018. Her leadership and instructional skills led her to a district-level role from 2018 to 2022 as a Special Education Facilitator for Knox County Schools, where she supported teachers and students across the district.
Since fall 2022, Ms. Hammonds has served as Assistant Principal at West Hills Elementary, where she continues to foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment, with a strong focus on student growth and instructional excellence.

Ms. Hammonds holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's degree in Special Education, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She also holds an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

E-mail Ms. Hammonds

Staff Directory

Our staff directory provides a comprehensive and easily accessible listing of school and district personnel. Searches can be made by name, job title, or facility location.

Search Directory

Calendar

West Hills Elementary follows an academic calendar approved by the Board of Education that identifies the first and last day of school; student and teacher in-service days; school holidays; and grading periods.

These calendars are detailed by school year.

See Calendar

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