The natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) lakes surround Blount County. Blount County was created out of Knox County in 1795 and was named after Governor William Blount. The county seat, Maryville, was named after his wife, Mary.

Blount County has a growing population of approximately 100,000 residents, which covers 584 square miles. Four major interstate highways are easily accessible: I-140, I-40, I-75 and I-81. Also, in the area are the University of Tennessee, Maryville College and Pellissippi State Technical Community College.

The mission of Blount County Schools is to maximize the academic potential of every child in a safe and personalized environment. BCS will graduate students who are college and career ready and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century workplace.

Blount County Schools operates twenty one schools: fourteen elementary, four middle schools, two comprehensive secondary schools, and one alternative school. The school system consists of approximately 11,800 students. Blount County Schools has received the state Department of Education's Governor's A+ Award for Commitment to Excellence in Education.