Incoming Students

Welcome New Students!

Entering high school is an exciting step, and you’ll find that there are many ways to get involved and make the most of your experience. Kirkwood provides a wide selection of classes that allow students to explore different areas of interest, including normal core classes, creative electives, fine arts, and world languages. In addition to academics, students can participate in a variety of sports and clubs that encourage teamwork, leadership, and community involvement. High school is a great time to discover new interests, build strong connections, and develop the skills that will prepare you for future success.

We’ve created a New Student Guide to help you get familiar with our school, including tips on class registration, campus resources, and important contacts.

Recommended Supplies

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, having the right supplies will help you stay organized and ready to learn. Please note that there is a separate process for receiving school-issued computers, and additional information about that will be on the official Kirkwood or CMCSS websites.

Recommended Supplies:

Sturdy backpack or bag for books and materials
Three-ring binders or folders to organize class notes and handouts
Loose-leaf notebook paper and spiral notebooks
Pencils, pens (blue or black ink), and highlighters
Pencil pouch or case for writing tools
Basic calculator (teachers will specify if a specific model is needed, but most classes that need a calculator provide one)
Planner or agenda for tracking assignments and due dates
Index cards or sticky notes for studying and reminders
Reusable water bottle

Graduation Requirements

22 TOTAL CREDITS NEEDED

Core Course Requirements

English – 4 Credits

English I
English II
English III
English IV
CMCSS students are required to be enrolled in an English course each year of high school.

Math – 4 Credits

Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
One additional math course beyond Algebra II
Tennessee students are required to be enrolled in a math course each year of high school.

Science – 3 Credits

Biology
Chemistry or Physics
One additional lab science credit

Social Studies – 3.5 Credits

World History and Geography
U.S. History and Geography
Economics (0.5 credit)
U.S. Government and Civics (0.5 credit)
Personal Finance (0.5 credit)

Wellness/PE – 1.5 Credits

Lifetime Wellness
Physical Education (Students may substitute 66 documented hours of CMCSS-sponsored, after-school physical activity to meet this requirement.)

Additional Requirements

Foreign Language – 2 Credits

Must be 2 years of the same language

Fine Art – 1 Credit

May come from Art, Music, or Theater courses

Computer Science– 1 Credit

Tennessee required computer science course (CTE can substitute)

Focused Electives – 3 Credits

Must be chosen from the CMCSS approved elective list (See chart in Section 2)

Assessments

ACT

Must be completed by graduation

Citizenship Test

Must be passed
Completed in U.S. Government & Civics or JROTC II

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