School and Business Expectations of the Tennessee High School Graduate

• Has a good work ethic; is dependable, punctual, and appropriately dressed.

• Has good attendance.

• Is committed to the job; takes the job seriously.

• Is a team player.

• Displays an enthusiastic attitude.

• Takes ownership; realizes the stake in company profits.

• Understands the economics of the company.

• Is innovative, creative, and imaginative; thinks “outside the box.”

• Thinks and communicates with clarity and precision.

• Strives for accuracy.

• Is considerate of others.

Graduation Requirements

The high school diploma will be awarded to students who (1) earn the specified 28 units of credit, and (2) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct. All students must take the ACT and the Civics Exam.

• An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) certificate will be awarded to students with disabilities who have:

  • (1) satisfactorily completed an individualized education plan

  • (2) successfully completed a portfolio, and

  • (3) have satisfactory records of attendance and conduct

• All students are required to take a math class each school year. Students are required to achieve, by the time they graduate, at least the following: Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or the equivalents plus one additional mathematics course beyond Algebra II. Students with qualifying disabilities in math as documented in the individualized education plan (IEP) shall be required to achieve at least Algebra I and Geometry.

• Students are required to achieve, by the time they graduate, at least Biology I and either Chemistry or Physics plus another laboratory science. Students with qualifying disabilities in reading and/or math as documented in the individualized education plan shall be required to achieve at least Biology I and two other lab science credits.

Graduation Ceremony

Students who have met all graduation requirements prior to graduation practice may choose to participate in graduation activities. Graduating students and their parents who choose to participate will be required to sign a graduation participation agreement. This agreement will outline the behaviors and expectations that are considered acceptable for participants in the ceremony.

Graduation caps cannot have any decorations. Only THS cords/ sashes/ medals

will be allowed at graduation, which includes the following: Tennessee Scholars Cords, Graduate of Distinction Medals, Valedictorian Cords, NHS Stoll, BETA Tassels, and Viking U regalia. Students who successfully complete the high school graduation exercise can obtain their diplomas from the school counseling office on the Monday following graduation. We encourage all qualifying students to participate in all graduation activities.

Graduates of Highest Distinction

The Graduate of Highest Distinction honor will be awarded to those students who have excelled in the most rigorous curriculum Tennessee High School affords its students. To qualify, students must complete the course and the AP exam in a minimum of four Advanced Placement courses and maintain a cumulative numerical average of 95 or above throughout their high school career (calculated by adding all numerical grades received for final term grades, then dividing by the number of courses taken). Students must also achieve a score of 29 or higher on the ACT or 1280 or higher on the SAT. Beginning with the class of 2025, qualifying students must also score a 3 or higher on at least 2 (two) AP exams. Those scholars who achieve Graduate of Highest Distinction honors will be recognized as Tennessee High School’s top academic students.

Graduates of State of TN Honors and/ or Distinction

Students may graduate with Honors and Distinction by meeting the following: Students who score at or above in all the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT will graduate with honors.

Students will be recognized as graduating with distinction by maintaining a “B” average and completing at least one of the following:

• earn a nationally recognized industry certification.

• participate in at least one of the Governor’s Schools

• participate in at least one of the state’s All State musical organization.

• be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist

• attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT

• attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two advanced placement exams

• successfully complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

• earn 12 or more semester hours of postsecondary credit recorded on transcript.

Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction

The Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction is a distinction that allows students to pursue a career in a high-need, high-skill industry while in high school, as outlined in T.C.A. 49-6-420 and State Board Pending Rules 0520-01-03-.06(31) on Graduation Requirements. The Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction was developed for high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in a high-need, high-skill industry after graduation.

Students who earn the Industry 4.0 Diploma Distinction must complete at least nine dual enrollment or work-based learning (WBL) credits aligned to their career goals. They will receive monthly career coaching and counseling to better prepare them for the transition into the workforce. Additionally, they will have the option to substitute a WBL or dual enrollment credit, as approved by the State Board of Education, for one math credit and one science credit.

Work Ethic Distinction

The Work Ethic Diploma Distinction is a workforce readiness credential which provides students the opportunity to demonstrate key concepts which are important for success in both the workforce and post-secondary. When students earn this distinction, they are letting area employers know they put a focus on the 21st century skills and understand their role in getting hired and staying employed. Students who graduate with this distinction will be guaranteed an interview with partnering companies if they meet other qualifications.

The following companies and more recognize this distinction in Northeast Tennessee:

To receive the Work Ethic Distinction a student must earn a minimum of 32 points and a regular high school diploma. Seniors who are interested must register at https://tnworkethic.com/.  (Links to an external site.)

1. Attendance

   • 1 pt: Student has no more than 5 absences from school during their senior year.

   • 2 pts: Student has no more than 3 absences from school during their senior year.

   • 3 pts: Student has no more than 1 absences from school during their senior year.
     

2. Tardiness

   • 1 pt: Student has no more than two unexcused tardies to school during their senior year.

   • 2 pts: Student has no unexcused tardies to school during their senior year.

3. Discipline

   • 1 pt: Student has no more than one discipline referral during their senior year.

   • 2 pts: Student has no discipline referrals during their senior year.

4. Overall GPA

   • 1 pt: Student has an overall GPA of 2.0 to 2.9.

   • 2 pts: Student has an overall GPA of 3.0 to 3.4.

   • 3 pts: Student has an overall GPA of 3.5 or above.

5. Drug Free

   • 5 pts: Student voluntarily presents written proof as being drug free.

6. CTE Coursework

   • (1 pt.) CTE Participant - Student has completed and earned credit in at least one CTE course by the end of the senior year.

   • (2 pts.) CTE Concentrator - Student has completed and earned credit in two high school CTE courses, in sequence, in a single CTE program of study by the end of the senior year.

   • (3 pts.) CTE Completer - Student has completed and earned credit in three or more high school CTE courses in a single CTE program of study by the end of the senior year.
     

7. CTE Competition

   • 1 pt: Student has competed in an approved regional level CTE competition during their senior year.

   • 2 pts: Student has competed in an approved state level CTE competition during their senior year.

   • 3 pts: Student has competed in an approved national level CTE competition during their senior year.

      

8. Community Service Standard

   • (1 pt.) Student has completed 10 hours of community service during the senior year.

   • (2 pt.) Student has completed 20 hours of community service during the senior year.

   • (3 pt.) Student has completed 30 hours of community service during the senior year.

9. Post-Secondary Plan Standard

   • (2 pts.) Student is in good standing with TN Promise, including having applied to an accredited post-secondary institution OR student has enlisted in the military student has enrolled in a registered apprenticeship after high school graduation.

      

10. Dual Enrollment/ Credit

    • 2 pts: Student has successfully completed a dual enrollment, dual credit, or Advanced Placement course and has been granted credit by any post-secondary institution during or before their senior year.

11. Industry Certification

    • 2 pts: Student has received a national industry certification during or before their senior

12. College and Career Assessment Standard

    • 2 pts: Student has achieved a Bronze Level National Career Readiness Certificate.

    • 4 pts: Student has achieved a Silver Level National Career Readiness Certificate.

    • 6 pts: Student has achieved a Gold or Platinum Level National Career Readiness Certificate.

       

13. Work Experience Standard

    • (4 pts.) Student has participated in an internship OR approved career practicum/ work- based learning course OR has held a part time job during the senior year.

*** If you would like more information on the Work Ethic Diploma and need help getting signed-up for the program, please see your School Counselor or contact the Counseling Office at 652-9317. ***

Early Graduation

 Student musthaveadministrativeapprovalandthestudentmustshow proof of enrollment in a postsecondary institution or a branch of the military.

Graduation Requirements (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027)

Graduation Requirements (Class of 2028)