Posted in High School:

On December 19, the Tennessee Department of Education released the 2023-24 State Report Card with additional data, including school letter grades. The A-F school letter grades for Tennessee schools were implemented in 2023. School letter grades are calculated using several pieces of data, including student achievement and growth on standardized assessments, subgroup performance, and college and career readiness at the high school level. Since implementation, CMCSS has not had any schools rated at the lowest level, an F. CMCSS has continued this trend in 2023-24 and made significant improvements from 2022-23.

In CMCSS, 90% of schools received an average or better letter grade of an A, B, or C, an increase from 73% in 2022-2023. Nearly half of CMCSS schools performed in the top categories, earning an A or B, and the number of schools earning a D decreased by 64%. There were no F grades in CMCSS.

Over 30% of schools improved their letter grades from last year, including a significant 3-grade improvement at Northeast Elementary School from a D to an A, and 2-grade improvements at Montgomery Central Middle School (C to A) and Moore Magnet Elementary School (D to B).

Click here to review the Tennessee Department of Education’s School Letter Grade Dashboard. The TCAP Family Portal can be found here, and additional online education tools can be found here.

The following administrative announcements were made on July 2, 2024.

CMCSS K-12 Virtual School Principal

Keith Parker has been selected as the principal of CMCSS K-12 Virtual School. Parker has served as an assistant principal at CMCSS K-12 Virtual since the school was founded in 2021. Previously, he served for two years as the Principal at Kenwood High School and four years as an assistant principal and STEM Academy administrator at Kenwood High School. He began his teaching career with CMCSS in 2007, serving for two years as an academic coach at Kenwood High, West Creek High, and Northwest High schools and six years as a teacher at Kenwood High and West Creek Middle schools. Parker earned his M.Ed. in School Administration from Sam Houston University and his B.S. in History Education from Austin Peay State University.

Northeast High School Assistant Principals

Dr. Andrew Knowles and Dr. Lauren McCurdy have been selected as assistant principals at Northeast High School.

Dr. Knowles currently serves as an assistant principal at Montgomery Central Middle School. Previously, he served for 12 years as the Director of Instrumental Music at Northeast High School, one year as an Assistant Band Director, and two years as a substitute teacher. Dr. Knowles has served in several school- and district-level leadership roles, including CMCSS Lead Instrumental Music Teacher, Northeast High School Fine Arts Department Chair, and Accreditation Committee Chairperson. In addition to the many honors his ensembles have received over the years, he was named a Teacher of the Year in 2020, Green Apple Award recipient in 2011, 2013, and 2014, and was Northeast’s Soaring Eagle Award winner in 2005. He is a 2018 graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy. Dr. Knowles received his Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands, M.A.Ed. in Instructional Leadership from Bethel University, and a B.S. in Music Education from Austin Peay State University.

Dr. Lauren McCurdy currently serves as an assistant principal and administrator of the Academy of Media Arts and Technology at Rossview High School. She has 15 years of teaching experience at Rossview High School and in Trigg County, Kentucky. Dr. McCurdy has served in several school- and district-level leadership roles, including Freshman Capstone Coordinator, District Advisory Council Member, and CTE Professional Learning Community Leader. She is a 2019 graduate of the CMCSS Aspiring Administrators Academy. Dr. McCurdy earned her Ed.D. in Leadership and Professional Practice, Ed.S. in Accountability and Instructional Leadership, and M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Trevecca Nazarene University and her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.

Northwest High School Assistant Principal

James A. Sensabaugh has been selected as an assistant principal at Northwest High School. Currently, he serves as an educator and Academy Lead in the West Creek High School Academy of Teaching and Learning and as an adjunct professor of education at Nashville State Community College. Sensabaugh began his career in education in 2012 as a teacher and athletics coach at Rossview High School, and he has served as an Assistant Principal of Student Culture, Associate Dean of Students, Instructional Coach, and teacher at schools in Nashville. Additionally, he served for five years as a Human Resources Specialist for the Tennessee National Guard. Sensabaugh earned his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University and B.S. in History Education from Austin Peay State University.

All CMCSS graduations will be live-streamed via the links below. Streams will not be active until the scheduled graduation time indicated. A recorded version of the graduation will be available following the ceremonies on the CMCSS YouTube page.

Adult Education

May 22, 2024
4:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Adult High School

May 22, 2024
12:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Clarksville High School

May 23, 2024
7:00 p.m.

Watch Live

CMCSS K-12 Virtual School

May 22, 2024
2:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Kenwood High School

May 25, 2024
3:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Kirkwood High School

May 24, 2024
4:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Middle College at APSU

May 22, 2024
10:00 a.m.

Watch Live

Montgomery Central High School

May 25, 2024
12:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Northeast High School

May 25, 2024
9:00 a.m.

Watch Live

Northwest High School

May 24, 2024
7:00 p.m.

Watch Live

Rossview High School

May 23, 2024
4:00 p.m.

Watch Live

West Creek High School

May 25, 2024
6:00 p.m.

Watch Live

On the afternoon of Monday, April 8, we will be able to observe a partial solar eclipse in Clarksville-Montgomery County. This will be a different experience than the total solar eclipse in August 2017, when our community was a prime location in the path of totality. However, this will still be a great learning experience for students. CMCSS has purchased ISO-certified solar eclipse safety glasses for students and employees. Weather and schedules permitting, schools may plan educational activities and provide opportunities for students to view the eclipse at school.

If you would prefer to pick up your student early from school, students will be counted present for an entire day if you pick them up after they have been in school for a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes.

If you do not want your child to view the eclipse at school, please send a written note to your child’s school by Friday, April 5 to exempt them from participation in any viewing activities.

CMCSS is offering Open Enrollment in specific schools and grade levels with available capacity for the 2024-2025 school year. Space for Open Enrollment is limited to only the specific schools and grades listed below.

Each grade listed has a limited number of available seats. If more requests are received than available seats, a lottery drawing will be held. Open Enrollment is only open to residents of Montgomery County. Applications for the 2024-2025 school year will be accepted from Monday, March 25 through Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Please see below for the application. Completed applications should be delivered in person or mailed to the CMCSS Enrollment Center, 430 Greenwood Ave. Clarksville, TN 37040, ATTN: Director of Student Services.  This Open Enrollment process is separate from the application period for schools and programs of choice that took place January – February 2024.

2024-2025 Open Enrollment Application (STS-F023)

The application above has expired.

CMCSS Open Enrollment Policy (STS-A004)

Due to the comprehensive rezoning that changed capacities at some schools, the District had to delay the determination of open seats for Open Enrollment until spring 2024.

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, the CMCSS School Board presented the following Point of Pride awards to students, faculty, and staff.

ACT Perfect Score

Cade Deterding is a Rossview High School student who made a perfect score on his ACT exam. The perfect composite score is 36. This score is an average of the four section scores for English, Math, Reading, and Science. Getting a perfect score on the ACT is very rare. Out of the nearly 2 million students who take the ACT across America, only around 0.3% of students earn a perfect ACT score.

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Conference

Austin Mason, Brooke Mangrum, and Tyler Mills from Montgomery Central High School competed in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Conference. Austin, Brooke, and Tyler earned top honors at the competition.

Austin Mason won 1st Place in Interviewing Skills ($15,000 scholarship)
Brooke Mangrum won 2nd Place in Lesson Plan Development and Modification ($8,000 scholarship)
Tyler Mills scored a 98.5 in the highly competitive Toys that Teach category

State of Tennessee Art Review and Showcase

Areen David is a second grader at Rossview Elementary School, whose artwork won 2nd Place in the State of Tennessee Art Review and Showcase. Areen’s work will be on display at the TN State Museum from March until May of this year.

All-State Musicians

CMCSS students auditioned and were selected to perform in an all-state ensemble. These students auditioned and competed against students across the state to earn one of the limited seats in the all-state ensembles. Students will get to rehearse and perform with other talented musicians from across the state in April.

From Clarksville High School, Mac Mackdanz – All-State Band (Mr. Gaskill, director)

From Montgomery Central High School, Andrew Wall – All-State Choir (Mrs. Rouse, director)

From Rossview High School:
Jamie Noland – All-State Band (Mr. Reynolds, director) and
Elizabeth Stevens – All-State Choir (Mrs. Waugh, director)

Honor Band of America

Jaden Steele is from Northeast High School and through a competitive national audition, Jaden was selected for the Honor Band of America. Jaden will get the opportunity to perform with the ensemble in March under the direction of Col. Timothy Holtan, the Leader and Commander of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.”

TSSAA Bowling

Northwest High School’s Unified Bowling Team along with Coach Guevara and Coach Jenkins were the Runner-up in TSSAA State Bowling Championship. The team includes:

Bandon Loreto
Chrissalee Lawrence
Juan “Jay” Cota
Jashaun Williams
Akeyla Farmer
Joseph “JoJo” Richardson
Kayla Taylor
Michael Thompson
Deonta Crawford
Mackinzie McPeak
Analiese Poe

National High School Cheerleading Competition (NHSCC)

The Clarksville High School Wildcats Cheer Team along with Coach Thurman and Coach Kinslow won the Bronze Medal in D1 Small Varsity Game Day Division with 3, zero deduction routines at the National High School Cheerleading Competition in Orlando.

The cheerleaders on the team are:

Anna Grace Parker
Marie Brock
Ari Sohn
Jamiyah Leeks
Blair Butcher
Chloe Blevins
Ella Gallagher
Julie Alford
Kinsley Savage
Madalynne Brunner
McKenna Carbin
Sania Baugh
Ella Roberts
Kennedy Lang
Graham Bryant
Laney Rogers
Peyton Hay
Aubrie Hardy
Mayleigh Carbin
Shaliah Griffey
Ava Austin
Kylee Claret

Congratulations to all of the students, faculty, and staff on their achievements!

Join the CMCSS JROTC leadership and other representatives to discuss ROTC scholarships and how to attend a military college. Students will have the opportunity to hear from and ask questions to a representative from the Army Nursing Program, a West Point graduate, and representatives from Junior Military Colleges who can provide detailed perspectives on the student experience.

Event Details:
April 2 – 3, 2024
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Central Services South (1312 Highway 48)

What is a Military College?

Senior Military Colleges

The Citadel, Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, Virginia Military Institute, University of North Georgia, Norwich University

Six Senior Military Colleges (SMC) in the nation have Army ROTC programs which are part of a Corps of Cadets.

Why Choose a Senior Military College?

• Graduates of Senior Military Colleges are Cadets who will be assessed onto Active Duty upon recommendation from their Professor of Military Science, they do not have to compete nationally for Active Duty.
• Full tuition scholarships are available for those who qualify
• Paid a personal stipend of $420/month while attending class
• Paid a book allowance of $1,200 per year
• SMC’s are steeped in tradition and offer students an organized lifestyle, enhanced leadership training, and superb training facilities
• Cadets may choose to commission into the Army Reserves or the National Guard through the Guaranteed Reserve Forces Duty option
• Cadets quickly take on leadership roles and experience every level of leadership from top to bottom

Military Junior Colleges

Marion Military Institute, Valley Forge Military College, Georgia Military College, New Mexico Military Institute

Only four Military Junior Colleges (MJC) offer the unique opportunity to become an Army Officer in only two years.

Why Choose a Military Junior College?

• Cadets can become an Army Officer in only two years through the MJC Early Commissioning Program (ECP)
• Full tuition scholarships are available
• Paid a book allowance of $1,200 per year
• Paid a personal stipen of $420/month while attending class
• Paid as a Cadet/E-5 in the Army Reserve or National Guard if enrolled in Simultaneous Membership Program (over $300/month)
• MJC ECP Commissioned Officers qulaify for the Education Assistance Program, which pays full tuition and fees for the remaining two years at the follow on college and degree you choose OR elect to receive $10,000/year room and board
• MJC Commissionionees earn time in service during their Junior and Senior year of college for promotions and retirement purposes
• Values and character are emphasized from day one through graudation.
• Respect for others is a key to succeeding at a MJC
• MJCs instill pride and self-confidence through team-building, promotions, and leadership roles

For more information, including schools and locations, text MCINFO to 462769 (GOARMY) or visit this website.

Presenter’s Contact Information
Glen A. Johnson
Recruiting Operations Officer
1st BDE, USACC
Cell: 270.300.7522
Office: 502.624.1904
[email protected]

STOP. DROP. FAFSA Event – January 29 – February 2
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All CMCSS high schools will host a Stop, Drop, FAFSA event between January 29 – February 2, 2024. School leaders will help students understand the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, answer questions regarding the application, and assist with the next steps.

Confusion surrounding the FAFSA application process is one of the most common reasons students do not fill out the forms. School leaders encourage all CMCSS Seniors to complete the application to know of any available aid. Many colleges, universities, and technical schools require completion of the FAFSA as part of the admission process, whether students qualify or not. The TN Promise requires completion of the application by April 15, 2024.

For families who may have questions or need additional assistance understanding the application process, CMCSS has several helpful resources.

There are major changes and improvements to the 2024-2025 FAFSA form. Families can find information from studentaid.gov concerning the new 2024-2025 FAFSA.

For families who may have questions or need additional assistance understanding the application process, CMCSS has several helpful resources.

Help for Families

Phone Helpline: Students can call and speak with a live person who can provide assistance regarding the application process. Live support is available by calling 931-553-1189 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on the following days: January 31, February 1, 2, 2024.

Email Helpline: Parents and students can email [email protected] where they will be connected with Becky Padgett, Leslie Parreco, and Chris Pugh for help and guidance.

Text Helpline: Students and parents can text FAFSA to 335577 to receive mobile support from “Get Schooled.” The mobile program assists students with a variety of services.

NSCC FAFSA Parent Night Info

Video Tutorials: Assistance is available from collegefortn.org with a video instructional series.

Prior to Filling out the FAFSA: How to Create an FSA ID

Antes de completar la FAFSA 2024-2025: Cómo crear una FAFSA ID

Part 1: Introduction to the 2024-2025 FAFSA Student Application

Part 2: Student Personal Circumstances

Part 3: Student Demographics

Part 4: Student Financials & Colleges

Part 5: Parent Application

Part 6: Parent Demographics

Family Webinars: Family webinars are offered every Monday night at 6:30 (CST) from January 8 to March 25, 2024. Access the webinar link here. The THEC/TSAC Outreach team will conduct a live demonstration of the 2024–25 FAFSA. If you have questions about completing the FAFSA or simply want to watch a demonstration of completing the FAFSA before tackling it yourself, please register for the Monday night that works best with your schedule.

Email Support: Families can receive support from the state FAFSA support team ([email protected]) or the CMCSS FAFSA support team ([email protected].)

TN Promise

CMCSS Seniors may be eligible to apply for the TN Promise. As explained by the TN Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation, “Tennessee resident/U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen/students who graduate from an eligible high school, homeschool, or earn a GED/HISET (prior to 19th birthday) can receive an award at an eligible postsecondary institution toward tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been first applied.”

Several eligibility requirements apply, including:

• Students must attend mandatory meetings and participate in a mentoring program.
• College students must attend full-time and continue participating in the mentoring program.
• Students must perform 8 hours of community service prior to each term the award is received.

Learn more about eligibility requirements here.

To access the TN Promise application, click here. The deadline for seniors to apply for the TN Promise is November 1, 2023.

Resources for parents and guardians.

Student Portal

The CMCSS Instruction and Curriculum Department will host information sessions throughout October for families interested in learning more about dyslexia and individualized learning plans for dyslexia (ILP-D.) Families may have received a phone call from their child’s teacher or paperwork sent home recently. These information sessions will answer questions regarding the CMCSS screening process and new state requirements. Caregivers can pre-submit questions to ensure they’re answered by emailing [email protected]. Pre-registration for the information sessions is not required.

Topics will include:

• What is dyslexia?
• How does CMCSS screen and support students with dyslexia?
• What are the updated state regulations with Individualized Learning Plans for students with characteristics of dyslexia? (ILP-D)
• What questions can I ask my child’s teacher to support my student at school?

Virtual Information Session Dates and Times

• Monday, October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Click here to access the Zoom link (valid for all the above meeting times.) 

The CMCSS Instruction and Curriculum Department will host information sessions throughout October for families interested in learning more about dyslexia and individualized learning plans for dyslexia (ILP-D.) Families may have received a phone call from their child’s teacher or paperwork sent home recently. These information sessions will answer questions regarding the CMCSS screening process and new state requirements. Caregivers can pre-submit questions to ensure they’re answered by emailing [email protected]. Pre-registration for the information sessions is not required.

Topics will include:

• What is dyslexia?
• How does CMCSS screen and support students with dyslexia?
• What are the updated state regulations with Individualized Learning Plans for students with characteristics of dyslexia? (ILP-D)
• What questions can I ask my child’s teacher to support my student at school?

Virtual Information Session Dates and Times

• Monday, October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, October 3, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Monday, October 16, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 19, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Monday, October 23, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 26, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Click here to access the Zoom link (valid for all the above meeting times.)