Rhea County School’s course of study is the State of Tennessee Curriculum. It can be viewed at the State of Tennessee website (www.tn.gov/education-mp.html). Local facilities providing access to the state website are the public libraries, schools and the Rhea County Superintendent of Schools office.
The School Counseling Department exists to assist students to reach their goal of obtaining a high school diploma.
Students and parents may make an appointment with a Counselor by coming to the Guidance Department between classes or calling (423) 285-6709.
9th grade—Ann Barnett (barnetta@rheacounty.org)
10th grade—Heather Dye (dyeh@rheacounty.org), Lead Counselor
11th grade—Amy Wood (wooda@rheacounty.org)
12th grade—Connie Bexell (bexellc@rheacounty.org)
Ginger Boothe (bootheg@rheacounty.org), Department Secretary
Nicole Hunt (huntn@rheacounty.org), Registrar & Student Records
The graduation ceremony is reserved only for students who have completed all credit requirements by the date of graduation.
The Tennessee Diploma Project requirements for graduation include a total of at least 22 credits required in the following areas:
English: 4 credits
Math: 4 credits—a math course must be taken each year including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a senior math course.
Science: 3 credits—including either Chemistry or Physics
Wellness: 1 credit, or 2 credits in JROTC
US History: 1 credit
Economics: ½ credit
US Government: ½ credit, or 3 credits in JROTC
Personal Finance: ½ credit, or 3 credits in JROTC
Physical Education: ½ credit, or could be met with band, sports, or 3 credits in JROTC
Foreign Language: 2 credits in the same language
Fine Art: 1 credit
Some courses have testing requirements called “End of Course Tests” or EOCs. These tests will be given during the last ten (10) days of the course and will determine 15% of the student’s final second semester grade in that class.
In addition, after graduation requirements are met, 3 credits must be completed in one of the following Focus Areas:
Career Technical Education (CTE)
Humanities
Math and Science
Fine Arts
JROTC
Students entering the 9th grade during the 2024-2025 school year are required to complete a Computer Science credit and an elective credit. A total of at least 23 credits will be required for students graduating in or after 2028.
The ACT college entrance test will be given free of charge to all 11th graders each Spring. Taking the ACT multiple times is encouraged to help improve students’ scores. Research indicates that scores improve 1 to 3 points each time a student repeats the ACT.
Students who elect to take CTE classes as their elective focus can earn various dual credits and certifications. Choices made at the end of the 9th grade year continue for the next three years.
Welding: Dual credit + AWS certification
Nursing Services: Dual enrollment + CNA certification in Nursing from TCAT
Engineering: Dual credit + SolidWorks certification
Culinary Arts: Dual credit + ServeSafe food handler and management certifications
Criminal Justice: Dual credit
Maintenance & Light Repair: Dual credit + ASE certification
MEPS Electrical Systems & Structural Systems: Dual credit + NCCER certification
Digital Art: Dual credit + Adobe Photoshop certification
OSHA 10 & OSHA 30 certifications are available to all qualified students.
Students participating in sports or cheerleading must have passed ten unit credits the previous year and be enrolled in five credits the semester in which they are participating.
Any student who has a goal of playing athletics at a NCAA Division I university needs to be aware of these academic requirements:
English: 4 years
Mathematics: 3 years (Algebra I or higher)
Natural/Physical Science: 2 years (one must be a lab science)
Social Studies: 2 years
1 year of additional English, Math or Science
4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above or from Foreign Language, non-doctrinal Religion or Philosophy)
It is the responsibility of the athlete and his or her parents to make sure these requirements are met.
Grade cards will be distributed every nine weeks. Second semester grades cannot bring up a first semester failing grade. Every semester stands alone.
This scale is the standard set by the Tennessee State Department of Education.
90-100 |
A |
| 80-89 | B |
| 70-79 | C |
| 60-69 | D |
| Below 60 | F |
Those students graduating May 2015 or later will fall under the weighted GPA scale.
Standard classes will give a grade point on a 4.0 scale, for example:
A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, D = 1.0, F = 0
Honors and/or dual enrollment classes will give a grade point on a 5.0 scale, for example:
A = 5.0, B = 3.75, C = 2.5, D = 1.25, F = 0
Honors/DE could potentially exceed a 4.0 overall GPA.
All Honors classes will be weighted by 3 points at the end of each semester.
Dual Credit classes and Capstone Industry Certification aligned courses will be weighted by 4 points at the end of each semester.
All Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses will be weighted by 5 points at the end of each semester.
To be the Valedictorian you must take a minimum of one honors/dual enrollment class each year for a minimum of 4 classes.
Grade cards will be distributed every nine weeks. Second semester grades cannot bring up a first semester failing grade. Each semester stands alone.
To be a member of the Rhea County Academic Champions (R.C.A.C.) requires a 95.0 NGA or above to be a member. Transcripts will be reviewed in January of your Junior year.
To graduate with Honors and/or Distinction:
Gold: Must graduate with Honors AND Distinction
White: Must graduate with Distinction
Blue: Must graduate with Honors
Students must achieve a 3.0 GPA and meet all ACT Benchmarks below:
| English | 18 |
| Math | 22 |
| Reading | 22 |
| Science | 23 |
Students must achieve a 3.0 GPA and meet at least one of the following:
• Participate in Governor’s School
• Be a National Merit Finalist or Semifinalist
• Receive a 31 or better on the ACT
• Earn 12 or more dual enrollment credit hours
• Receive Industrial Certification
• Participate in one of the state’s All State musical organizations
• Attain a score of (3) or higher on at least (2) Advanced Placement Exams