Academic Offerings
Accreditation
Admission & Enrollment
Policies
Calendar
District Information
Extra-Curricular
Activities
Graduation
Requirements
Mission Statement
Special
Education
System Objectives
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SCS General Information
District
Information
Located in the extreme southwest
corner of the state,
the Shelby County school district
is the fourth largest school system in Tennessee
with a population of over 45,000 students.
Our district includes all the public schools
in the county outside the corporate limits
of the city of Memphis, including those schools
located within the six (6) incorporated towns
of Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown,
Lakeland and Millington.
The system is administered by a seven member
Board of Education who reside within seven
special election districts located within the
Shelby County school district. Prior to 1998,
school board members were appointed by the
County Commission. In the fall of 1998, school
board members were elected to 4-year terms
in the odd-numbered districts and 2-year terms
in the even-numbered districts. Future elections
will be for 4-year terms. The superintendent
is employed by the Board of Education and serves
as secretary to the Board. Regular meetings
of the Board are held on the last Thursday
of each month. When any regular meeting date
falls on a legal holiday or during a holiday
season, the meeting will be rescheduled by
the chairman. Tennessee law makes no specific
provisions for the participation of the public
in the meetings of the local boards of education;
however, Tennessee law does require that every
meeting of the Board, other than meeting with
the attorney to discuss pending or threatened
litigation, will be open to the public and
press.
A community school concept is followed
as closely as possible in the assignment of
students to schools. However, rapid growth
in Shelby County, annexation by the city, and
federal court orders have a definite influence
on the location of schools. Growth rates in
Shelby County are currently the highest in
the state creating an increase in student population
averaging 1,000 students each year. Grade structure
may vary due to growth in certain school areas
and construction of new facilities; however,
the primary design is elementary, middle and
high school. High schools have grades nine
through twelve. All schools are air-conditioned
and constructed to provide a variety of instructional
services and programs. The parent may contact
the school or assistant superintendent of instruction
to request a listing of available services
or to determine their child's eligibility for
services in specific programs. All facilities
are inspected periodically by personnel from
the Shelby County Health Department, the Shelby
County Occupational Safety and Health Department,
the Shelby County Building Department, and
representatives from the State Fire Marshall's
office.
Our schools meet or exceed the standards
set by the Tennessee State Department of Education
and the Southern Association of Colleges and
Schools. Twenty-nine years ago Shelby County
Schools (SCS) was the first Tennessee school
system accredited in its entirety by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
This pioneering accreditation spirit continues
today with the recent acceptance of SCS by
SACS as one of the first systems to begin the
SACS CASI District Accreditation process. This
new accreditation format is only available
to systems with a history of demonstrating
successful implementation of the SACS process
which includes a commitment to standards, support
for school improvement, providing direction,
meeting standards, and engaging in continuous
improvement and demonstrating quality assurance.
In order to maintain accreditation the school
system hosts regular visits by professional
peers representing SACS to assure systemwide
quality. An integral component of the SACS
and state requirements are comprehensive self-evaluative
school improvement plans which are in place
for each school and are updated regularly.
Our system has made an extensive commitment
to quality instruction. We proudly celebrate
the numerous awards and accomplishments of
our students and staff, who are recognized
each year for excellence in academic, athletic,
and service endeavors on local, state and national
levels. Money Magazine has recognized
Shelby County Schools as one of the "Top 100
Schools Systems" in the United States. For
nine consecutive years our system has been
honored by School Match Inc. with the "What
Parents Want Award." Vital to the success of
our students and our system is the continuous
support of parents and the PTA associations
throughout the county. The Shelby County Council
and the local member units of the PTA win numerous
awards each year for the integral part they
play in the success of our children. Shelby
County Schools PTA has the largest membership
in Tennessee. <<Top
of page
Mission
Statement & Philosophy
Mission
The mission of Shelby County
Schools is to produce citizens of high moral
character who are enlightened, informed, caring,
and committed to justice, who are prepared
with competencies, attitudes, and the emotional
health to be productive members in an ever
increasingly technological society, and who
are skilled in the abilities to communicate,
to reason, to solve problems, and to continue
their learning.
Philosophy
In striving to provide
optimum educational opportunities for every
student, the Shelby
County Schools system believes that each
student is a unique person with
dignity and worth. We utilize success-oriented learning experiences to maximize
intellectual, social, emotional, physical, aesthetic, and moral growth.
Each school will be sensitive and responsive to community needs which affect
education. Therefore, each school's professional staff, with assistance from
the community and systemwide resources, has the responsibility to develop a stable,
individually appropriate curriculum emphasizing proficiency in the basic skills
as well as experiences that contribute to a comprehensive, practical education.
Since learning is a continuous process and the school an integral part of the
total community, we are dedicated to the development of an individual who will
become a valuable, contributing member of society.
<< Top
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System
Objectives
The system's objectives shall be as follows:
- To create an atmosphere in which students
may discover themselves as persons of dignity
and will be able to maintain positive self-images;
- To evaluate, determine, and provide for
the needs that affect the education of every
student;
- To provide a safe environment which protects
and encourages the student to use principles
of safety and good health;
- To utilize teaching techniques which promote
student success;
- To develop a proficiency in the basic reading,
writing, listening, speaking and computational
skills, and the ability to apply them effectively
in communication and problem-solving;
- To provide various opportunities that motivate
the students to develop their intellectual
potential;
- To provide opportunities which develop
well-adjusted individuals with the highest
principles of good character;
- To help develop an understanding of the
function, needs, and care of the human body
and provide activities to develop physical
potential;
- To encourage an appreciation of cultural
and aesthetic values;
- To provide opportunities for parents, students,
and the professional staff to work cooperatively
for better communication between school and
community;
- To provide a total school program flexible
enough to meet individual needs and stable
enough to provide a sense of security; and
- To encourage continual growth that produces
informed, responsible citizens who contribute
to the society and learn to profit from all
experiences within the environment.<< Top
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Admission
& Enrollment Policies
Students eligible to attend Shelby County
Schools:
Residence: Pupils are required to
attend school between the ages of six (6) and
seventeen (17), both inclusive, unless withdrawn
in accordance with legal requirements. (T.C.A.¤49-6-3001).
Educational services will be provided for homeless
students in accordance with local, state and
federal guidelines (NCLB).
NOTE: Homeless children are defined in NCLB as an individual who lacks fixed,
regular and adequate residence or has a primary residence in a supervised publicly
or privately operated shelter for temporary accommodations, a public or private
place not designated for use as a regular sleeping accommodations for humans.
For further information please contact the Homeless Liaison, Katie Stanton,
Director of Student Services, at 321-2627.
Federal Court orders prohibit the enrollment of any child in Shelby County
Schools unless they are living with a parent/legal guardian who resides in
the area served by the Shelby County school system. Proof of official residence
will be required at registration and will be checked randomly as well as when
there is a reasonable question regarding the location of the current residence.
Proof of Residence: The parent/guardian
of every student will be required to provide 2 of the following items showing
the parent/guardian's name and address, to prove residency: Sale Contract (contingency
agreements not accepted), Real Estate Tax receipt, Mortgage information, Current
Memphis Light Gas and Water bill or turn on receipt, Rental Contract, or Military
Letter of Assignment.
Custody Issues: Only the residence of the parent with legal custody
may be used for the registration.(T.C.A.¤49-6-3103) In cases where parents
have joint custody, only the address of the parent with physical custody of
the student or named as the primary custodian or designated primary responsibility
to determine educational issues may be used for registration. The parent whose
residence qualifies the child to be registered is the parent the school personnel
will consider as the custodial parent. The non-custodial parent may receive
school records when a written request is given to the school principal in compliance
with T.C.A.¤49-6-902 or T.C.A.¤36-6-104.
Power of Attorney for Childcare
(Procedure 6103) (T.C.A. 34-8-302)
Parents of a minor child may delegate to any adult person residing in this
state temporary care giving authority when hardship prevents the parent(s)
from caring for the child.
Hardships identified are:
- The serious illness or incarceration of
a parent or legal guardian;
- The physical or mental condition of the
parent or legal guardian is such that care
and supervision cannot be provided;
- The loss or uninhabitability of the child's
home as the result of a natural disaster.
When one of the above hardships is applicable, the custodial parent(s) and the
caregiver must make an appointment to meet with Student Services Personnel in
order to complete the application for Power of Attorney. If this is not possible,
the Director of Student Services must be contacted.
Hardships not listed above should be referred to Juvenile Court to change the
custody.
Immunization: All students must have a current Permanent/Temporary
Certificate of Immunization or a Tennessee Child Health Record to attend
public schools in Tennessee. Forms may be obtained from any health care professional.
Students transferring from an out-of-state or non-public school in Tennessee
have thirty (30) calendar days after enrollment to provide this certificate.
The immunization certificate should be sent with a student's records when the
student is transferring from a Tennessee public school. If any corrections or
additions need to be made on the certificate after it arrives, the parents have
ten (10) school days to update the records.
NOTE: Beginning with the 2002-2003 school year,
all students will be required to have two (2) doses of MMR.
All kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, 7th grade, 8th grade 9th grade students
will be required to have three (3) Hepatitis B shots for the 2004-2005 school
year.
Waiver of Immunization Requirements
State law (T.C.A.¤49-6-5001) provides waiver of immunization requirements under
the following conditions.
- Absent epidemic or threat of epidemic, parents may object in writing, when
immunization conflicts with the teachings and practice of a well recognized
religious denomination to which the parents adhere. However, if an epidemic
or threat of epidemic occurs, objections on the behalf of religious teaching
are invalid.
- Certificate in writing from a physician stating that such immunization
would be harmful to the child involved is provided to the school for the
students permanent file.
Enrollment of Kindergarten Students
Students enrolling in kindergarten who have not previously enrolled in any school
will furnish the following:
- Certified birth certificate (other evidence of age is acceptable only if
the certificate is not available, such as a foreign born student, and only
if approved by the Department of Student Services.)
- A Tennessee Child Health Record* signed by a physician indicating
proof of the following:
- 4 doses of DPT -DTaP-DT-DTP/Hib-Td, one of which was given on or
after the fourth birthday. If age seven or older three doses are required.
- 4 doses of Polio (OPV/IPV) If the 3rd dose was given on or after
the fourth birthday, the 4th dose is not required. However, if a combination
of IPV/OPV (2IPV/2OPV) is used all 4 doses are needed regardless of
age.
- 2 doses of MMR with 1 dose being given after the first birthday.
- 3 doses of Hepatitis B.
- The varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or proof of having had the disease.
- Proof of a medical examination within the past 6 months (Policy
6101).
*Equivalent forms for immunization records will not be accepted.
- Social Security Number
Parents are encouraged to enroll students who are of legal age in kindergarten
at the beginning of the school year. Students not enrolled previously in kindergarten
will not be enrolled after the first thirty (30) days of the school year (T.C.A.¤49-6-3001).
Students who have been enrolled in an approved kindergarten will be accepted
for enrollment throughout the school year. (Policy
6102.1)
Students entering school for the first time who have not met the requirements
of the preceding requirements (numbers 1, and 2) shall not be permitted to enroll.
Principals shall notify the Department of Student Services for assistance in
meeting the requirements 1 - 3.
A Temporary Tennessee Certificate of Immunization may be submitted, if
the physical examination has been completed and immunizations have been started.
The student may attend school as long as the immunizations are completed according
to schedule.
Age Requirements (Policy 6102)
A child entering kindergarten must be five years of age on or before September
30, 2007 or was legally enrolled in an approved kindergarten program in another
state and will be five years old on or before December 31, 2007. A child entering
first grade must be six years of age on or before September 30, 2007 and has
completed an approved kindergarten program; or was enrolled in an approved first
grade program in another state and will be six on or before December 31, 2007.
Students Beyond Compulsory Attendance Age (Policy 6106)
After reaching the age of eighteen (18), students shall not be permitted to enroll
after the first 20-day attendance period of each semester. An exception will
be made if the student can show proof of attendance in another school system
during the first 20-day period or if a doctor's certificate states that illness
has prevented enrollment during the first 20-day period. Students certified as
disabled are exempt from this policy. Students may be dropped from the rolls
after three (3) consecutive unexcused absences or five total unexcused absences
from class or school.<< Top
of page
Academic
Offerings
The Shelby County School District offers a comprehensive instructional program
for over 45,000 students enrolled in grades K-12.
All elementary schools provide curriculums that emphasize the development
of basic skills and make provisions for development beyond the basics through
appropriate classroom and enrichment activities. Creative thinking and problem
solving strategies are interwoven across the curriculum. Full day kindergarten
programs and special services for remedial and academically gifted students
are available.
Each high school provides students with academic and vocational course offerings
designed to prepare them for post-secondary education and/or employment. Although
heavy emphasis is placed upon providing an education built upon the core curriculum
in English, math, science, foreign languages, and fine arts, numerous alternative
academics and vocational elective courses are offered.
The Advanced Placement Program of The College Board is also offered in each
high school. Through success in A.P. Classes, Shelby County high school students
earn college credit for secondary school courses. Students from Shelby County
high schools are selected annually as National Merit Scholar Finalists, Semi-finalists,
and Commended Students.
From the foundation laid at the elementary level through the basic level
courses and the wide range of Advanced Placement courses offered in the high
schools, the Shelby County School District meets the academic needs of today's
students.<< Top
of page
Graduation
Requirements
Graduation Requirements for Students Who Entered Grade Nine Before 2001-2002
and still remain in school
Any student who graduates with a regular diploma from a public school in Tennessee
must:
- have passed both parts of the Tennessee Competency Test or passed
the Gateway Language Arts Test and/or the Gateway Mathematics Test as needed.
- before graduation, every student shall have the opportunity to take an
exit exam as adopted by the State Board of Education.
- earn the required number of credits.
Diplomas will not be issued to Shelby County School students who have not met
these requirements. Special Education students may earn a regular diploma based
on the IEP team's recommendation, by passing the TCAP competency test by age
22 , and fulfilling the requirement of the IEP.
Graduation Requirements For Students
Who entered Grade Nine in 2001-2002 and Thereafter
Any student who graduates with a regular diploma from a public school in Tennessee
must:
- pass all three Gateway Test (one in English ll, one in Algebra l, and one
in Biology l).
- before graduation, every student shall have the opportunity to take an
exit exam as adopted by the State Board of Education.
- earn the number of credits as indicated below. (Note that Biology l has
been added as a required science.)
Diplomas will not be issued to Shelby County School students who have not
met these requirements. Special Education students may earn a regular diploma
based on the IEP team's recommendation, by passing the three Gateway tests, and
fulfilling the requirements of the IEP.
University Path
The following 20 units shall be required for graduation:
Technical Path The following 20 units shall be required for graduation:
Combined Path
The following 21 units shall be required for graduation for students who choose
BOTH THE
UNIVERSITY PATH AND THE TECHNICAL PATH:
***Any student who enters grade nine in 2001-2002 and thereafter must include
Biology l as one of the three required science units.
Participation in Commencement Exercises(Policy 6308)
Only students who have met all state requirements and mandates for a high school
regular diploma or special education diploma by graduation date, will be allowed
to participate in commencement exercises. A student's behavior must be acceptable
to the school principal in order for the student to participate in the school
graduation ceremonies.
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