Student HandBook

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Students are expected to complete all coursework honestly and independently. Claiming the work of others as your own is considered plagiarism and violates Grainger County Schools’ Academic Integrity Policy.

Academic integrity is built on:

Honesty – submitting your own work
Responsibility – completing assignments on time and ethically
Fairness – giving proper credit for others’ work
Respect – valuing your own learning and the learning of others

Maintaining academic integrity is essential for:

Credibility of student learning
Personal growth
Overall academic success

Acknowledgment:
All students and parents/guardians must sign Form A – Academic Integrity Policy to confirm their understanding of academic honesty and the consequences of academic dishonesty.

DAILY SCHEDULE & INSTRUCTIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Grainger High School operates on a four-block semester schedule, with each class meeting daily for 90 minutes. This structure allows students to complete eight courses each school year.

Course Work & Pacing:

Students are encouraged to stay on top of daily assignments to maintain steady progress.
Consistent routines help prevent falling behind and reduce unnecessary stress.
Time for review and revision is recommended as part of best academic practices.

Teacher Support:

Teachers are available throughout the day to provide assistance and guidance during class and designated support times.

Instructional Time:

A typical school day includes a minimum of 6.5 hours of instruction.
Instruction is designed to be engaging and varied, incorporating:
- Direct instruction
- Group collaboration
- Hands-on learning
- Project-based activities
- Assessments and structured feedback

This schedule provides a rigorous yet supportive learning environment, ensuring all students have access to a high-quality educational experience.

GRADES AND GRADE REPORTING

Students and parents can access grades through the StudentVue and ParentVue apps. Each student and parent has a unique login and password. If you experience difficulty accessing your account or are locked out, please contact the school administration.

Grading Scale

Grade	Percentage
A	100–90
B	89–80
C	79–70
D	69–60
F	Below 59

Grade Distribution

Non-EOC Courses

Average of 1st and 2nd 9-Weeks: 75%
Semester Exam: 25%

EOC Courses

Average of 1st and 2nd 9-Weeks: 75%
Semester Exam: 10%
EOC Exam: 15%

Grade Card Reporting Schedule

Mid-Term Progress Reports (4.5 weeks): Not recorded; for check-in only.
End of 1st 9-Weeks: Recorded grade; no make-up work for the first half of the semester; grades are locked.
Mid-Term (2nd 9-Weeks – 4.5 weeks): Not recorded; for check-in only.
End of 2nd 9-Weeks / End of Semester: Recorded grade including final semester calculation.

Full-Year Courses:

The same reporting schedule applies to 3rd and 4th 9-Weeks.
Final grade includes semester exams and TCAP results where applicable.

GRADE REPORTS

All grade reports are available through the Synergy ParentVue and StudentVue apps, the official platform for accessing student academic information. Parents and students can view report cards, attendance, grades, and other updates securely and conveniently. It is important for both students and parents to log in regularly to monitor academic progress. Students will receive login information at the beginning of the school year.

State Assessment Results

Families can access EOC and TCAP testing results through the TCAP Family Portal, a free, secure online tool provided by the Tennessee Department of Education. This portal includes:

Detailed score reports
Performance breakdowns
Lexile reading levels
Personalized video summaries

Families can log in using the student’s ID and date of birth to track academic growth and access resources to support learning at home.

ACT Scores

Students’ ACT scores are first available through their personal MyACT account (my.act.org). Grainger High School does not have access to individual logins.

Once the school receives official scores, students will meet with their school counselor to review results and discuss next steps. ACT results typically take at least two weeks to process.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To earn a Tennessee State High School Diploma, students must complete 28 credits and meet all state testing requirements.

Credit Requirements

Subject	Credits	Requirements / Notes
Math	4	Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and one higher-level math course
English	4	English I, English II, English III, English IV
Science	3	Biology, Chemistry or Physics, and one additional lab science course
Social Studies	3	U.S. History & Geography, World History & Geography, U.S. Government & Civics, Economics
Wellness	1	—
Physical Education	0.5	—
Personal Finance	0.5	—
Computer Science	1	Can count as a Math or Science credit
Elective Focus	3	Options include Math & Science, Humanities, or other approved pathways
Fine Arts	1	—
CTE Focus Area	Varies	Career & Technical Education pathway; credit value determined by program

Testing Requirements

Students must take all End-of-Course (EOC) exams required by the State of Tennessee. EOC results factor into the final course grade. Required EOCs include:
- English I & II
- Algebra I & II
- Geometry
- Biology I
- U.S. History
Students must take the ACT or SAT during 11th grade.

Additional Requirement

Students must earn a final grade of 60 or above to receive credit for any course.

TESTING POLICY – PARENT GUIDE

All students are required to participate in state-mandated tests, including TNReady, TCAP, and End-of-Course (EOC) exams. Refusing to test or leaving early may impact a student’s enrollment status.

Accommodations:
Students with an IEP or 504 plan will receive the supports and accommodations listed in their plan.

ACT / SAT Requirements

All Tennessee students must take the ACT or SAT to earn a high school diploma.
Grainger High School students take the ACT during 11th grade.
Students may choose to take the ACT at any national testing location, or with other 11th graders at Grainger High School or Washburn High School during the spring testing date.

RTI² SERVICES (Response to Instruction and Intervention)

Grainger High School offers additional support in reading and math through the RTI² program for students who need extra help building foundational skills.

Purpose:
The RTI² program is designed to help students who struggle in reading and math improve their academic performance and succeed in their regular coursework.

How Students Are Selected:
Placement in RTI² is based on multiple sources of data, including:

Past test and course performance
Screening assessments
Attendance and behavioral records
Current academic screening results

Available RTI² Courses:

Tier II English Language Arts Intervention: G01H24
Tier III English Language Arts Intervention: G01H19
Tier II Mathematics Intervention: G02H43
Tier III Mathematics Intervention: G02H22

These courses provide targeted instruction tailored to each student’s needs, ensuring the support necessary for academic growth and success.

CARS AND STUDENT DRIVING

Students must have a driver permission form on file in the office and a parking pass displayed in their vehicle to drive on campus. Parking passes cost $10.
The school may revoke driving privileges if a student:
- Fails to follow safe driving practices on school property
- Is habitually tardy or absent without a valid reason
Grainger County Schools is not responsible for students being transported to or from school in private vehicles.
All students must follow traffic and highway safety laws while on campus; these laws are part of school traffic policies.
Students must park in designated student parking areas and remain out of vehicles during the school day.
Students may not transport other students to or from school without office permission. Violations will result in loss of driving privileges.

DRIVER’S LICENSE / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

In Tennessee, students under 18 years old must meet certain educational requirements to obtain a driver’s license or permit. Students must provide one of the following:

A high school diploma or other graduation certificate
Documentation showing they are enrolled and making satisfactory progress toward a GED
Proof of enrollment and satisfactory progress in a Tennessee secondary school

“Enrolled and making satisfactory progress” is defined as:

Passing 75% of all current courses
Having fewer than 15 absences per semester
Not missing 10 consecutive school days

Failure to meet these requirements will result in the denial or revocation of a driver’s license (TCA 49-6-3017).

Certificates of Attendance:

Requests must be submitted using the form on the school website.
Students who withdraw and later return must complete 30 consecutive days of perfect attendance before a certificate can be issued.
Second or subsequent withdrawals make a student ineligible for a Certificate of Attendance.

STATE LAWS PERTINENT TO STUDENT BEHAVIOR

Tennessee law provides principals the authority to suspend students from school, school-sponsored activities, or riding the school bus for good and sufficient reasons (TCA § 49-6-309).

Examples of behaviors that may result in suspension include, but are not limited to:

Repeated violations of school rules or truancy
Immoral or disreputable conduct, including vulgar or profane language
Violence or threats of violence against school personnel or students
Willful or malicious damage to school property
Encouraging others to engage in disruptive or unsafe behavior
Other conduct that disrupts school order or discipline
Marking, defacing, or destroying school property
Possession of firearms on school property
Possession of knives or other weapons as defined by state law (TCA § 39-4-901)
Assaulting a principal or teacher using vulgar, obscene, or threatening language
Unlawful use of controlled or prescription drugs (TCA § 52-1-202)

These laws are designed to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment for all students and staff.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Textbooks and Supplemental Materials

Students, parents, or guardians are responsible for the care and return of all textbooks, novels, magazines, and supplemental materials issued as part of the curriculum.
Lost, damaged, or unreturned items will result in a replacement fee charged to the student or parent/guardian.

Electronic Devices (Chromebooks)

Students, parents, or guardians are responsible for the proper care, use, and return of any Chromebooks issued to students.
Loss, damage, or failure to return a Chromebook may result in a replacement fee.

GRAINGER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK

Academic Integrity