Following an article MHProNews posted April 1 regarding Clayton Homes CEO Kevin Clayton partnering with teacher Patricia Bradley to open a STEM school (science, technology, engineering, and math), knoxnews says classes are on track to start July 19, with Bradley as principal. The Clayton-Bradley Academy will begin with 140 students in K-6 and add a grade each year until it becomes K-12. Sited on the grounds of Clayton Homes in Maryville, Tenn., stressing the importance of education Clayton says quality education attracts people who want good schools for their children, and that in turn draws businesses into the community. “Ultimately that keeps property taxes lower because you’ve got companies who pay the majority of your property taxes, which lowers it for everyone else,” Clayton said. “I’ve found it to be true. If you want low property taxes, invest in schools.” While funding for the school has been completed for this year, the non-profit will field a fund raising drive to insure sustainability as the school expands. Noting the academy will integrate music, English, and the arts into its core subjects, and draw on a project-based learning approach, Bradley says, “We want to move learning from the knowing part of learning to using it in real life. We want to use that connection.” Clayton Homes is the largest producer of manufactured housing in North America.
