About Us

Located in Board of Education District 2 and KCS Region 4, Fountain City Elementary School serves the historic Fountain City community. From 1917 to 1931, Fountain City Grammar School was located on the campus that housed Holbrook Normal College and Central High School before relocating to our current location on Grove Drive and becoming Fountain City School in 1931.

At Fountain City Elementary, we are committed to providing an excellent education for about 400 students in the Fountain City community. Our shared vision is to be a beacon of excellence, dedicated to empowering every student, educator, parent, and community member for a bright future. We strive to create a nurturing environment rooted in respect, collaboration, and shared aspirations, where everyone is inspired to reach their fullest potential. By embracing innovative problem-solving, harnessing modern technology, and upholding core values, we cultivate a community of lifelong learners ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Each day, the Pepcats embody our guiding motto, which inspires and unites us.

Principal

Dr. Keith Cottrell

Dr. Cottrell is an accomplished educator and school leader with nearly 30 years of diverse experience in education. He began his journey in 1998 as a teacher at Cedar Bluff Intermediate and also enriched the lives of students at various schools, including A. L. Lotts Elementary, Blue Grass Elementary, and Sterchi Elementary, until 2011.

Transitioning into administration, Dr. Cottrell served as a Leadership Academy Fellow and Assistant Principal at Cedar Bluff Elementary from 2011 to 2012. He continued to develop his leadership skills as Assistant Principal at Farragut Primary from 2012 to 2015. Under his guidance as Principal at Cedar Bluff Elementary from 2015 to 2019, the school thrived in academic excellence and community involvement. He carried on this mission as Principal at Northshore Elementary from 2019 to 2022.

Since 2023, Dr. Cottrell has been the Principal at Fountain City Elementary, where he is dedicated to fostering a nurturing learning environment and promoting educational success for all students.

Dr. Cottrell holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Education, and a Doctorate in Administration, Supervision, and Executive Leadership, all from the University of Tennessee.

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Assistant Principal

Meredith Whaley

Mrs. Whaley is a dedicated educator and accomplished school leader with nearly two decades of experience in public education. She began her career in 2009 as an intern at Inskip Elementary, then became a teacher, where she taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades. Then she served the students at Adrian Burnett Elementary as a 4th-grade teacher until 2016.

From 2016 to 2023, Mrs. Whaley worked in district-level positions, supporting schools across the district. She served as a Gifted and Talented (GT) Coach for two years before transitioning to a District Math Facilitator from 2018 to 2023. In 2023, she began her administrative career as the Assistant Principal at Copper Ridge Elementary, and she currently holds the position of Assistant Principal at Fountain City Elementary.

Mrs. Whaley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee, along with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, all from Lincoln Memorial University."

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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

Fountain City 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; early release days; school holidays; and grading periods.

These calendars are detailed by school year.

See Calendar

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