Freshmen

It's Your Freshman Year!

Welcome to Science Hill High School! We want to make sure that you are informed about the expectations of high school, therefore we have posted some relevant information below to get you and your family started. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to your child’s counselor.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from Science Hill High School, students must meet the following graduation requirements established for the year they first entered the 9th grade. Students should plan to exceed these requirements to prepare adequately for post-secondary success.

• Credits

Students need 28 credits to graduate with a Science Hill Diploma. The state of Tennessee designates 22 of those credits, which leaves students 6 elective credits. With the block schedule, students have 32 opportunities in 4 years to earn those required credits for graduation.

Students and parents are strongly urged to work closely with the school counselor to ensure requirements for graduation are being met. Only students who have completed all requirements for graduation will be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

• Area of Focus

Students will complete an area of focus by earning no less than three credits in a program of study focused on a particular concentration of elective courses beyond the graduation requirements.

• Mandatory ACT

The Tennessee Department of Education requires all students take the ACT as a graduation requirement if enrolled in a Tennessee public school during their junior year of high school. Each student is offered the ACT twice at no cost—during the spring of junior year and the fall of senior year. ACT testing for seniors is on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. Only seniors report to school. All other students will have assignments to complete on Canvas. ACT testing for juniors is on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Only juniors report to school. All other students will have assignments to complete on Canvas.

• Civics Exam

Every student must pass a civics exam to earn a regular diploma. Students take the exam on their own through the Canvas course for their graduating class (for example - “SHHS Class of 24”). Students may take the exam at any time during their junior or senior year. Students must also complete the project-based civics assessment, which is completed through government classes.

• Community Service

Students attending SHHS must complete 40 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. The community service hours must be completed outside of the regular school day except for Summer of Service, which is part of summer school. As hours are completed, students submit a signed verification form to the SHHS Registrar. Verification forms are in the SHHS Main Office and on Counselor Row. The form is also on the school web site (From the SH home page, click on Counselors, then click Community Service, then under Important Links find “Community Service Form”). Any organization of the student’s or parent’s choice may be used to acquire hours. If students need help finding ways to volunteer, the counselor’s community service page of the SHHS web site has a list of opportunities.