Charger Features

Early graduation

Beth Knight, Charger Staff

Are you a junior? Are you interested in graduating a semester early? Now is the time to start deciding and making those plans.

Early graduation is a new program that was added for the 2002-2003 school year. You apply during the second semester of your junior year.

If you are interested you must confer with your counselor. To be eligible, you must have completed all state and local requirements. The following requirements are needed to be eligible: completed request form, student letter of explanation/ request, parent letter of endorsement, counselor written recommendation, clearance of all requirements/credits, copy of current term/semester grade report, and transcript/GPA/final class rank.

Once graduation requirements are met and the student is granted early release, the student is considered an alumnus and shall not participate in further school activities or functions except prom and/or graduation exercises. If you choose to attend these school-sponsored events, you must conform to the same rules and regulations required of regularly enrolled students. You will also remain eligible for scholarships for which you qualify.

If you are not sure if you qualify, go see your counselor in the counseling center. Stephanie Davis, a senior participating in early graduation.

Why did you choose early graduation?

She said, "I know what I want to do after high school, and have for several years. I’m not trying to rush my life, but I don’t want to spend next semester in school for 7 hours a day when I only have one required class when I could be working towards a college degree."

Does it bother you that you can only come back for prom and graduation?

She said, "I’m sure I’ll miss backwards week, but I’ll still be in Cookeville. I’ve seen lots of people who have graduated come back as visitors, and I’m sure I’ll be just the same. I’m thankful, though, that I can come back for prom and graduation."

What are your future plans?

She said, "Next semester I’ll be attending Tennessee Tech. I’m going to major in Computer Engineering and hopefully minor or double major in Journalism or Mass Communications. Engineering is a definite, the others I guess I’ll decide when I’m forced to do so."

Would you recommend doing this for upcoming seniors?

She said, "I wouldn’t recommend early graduation to just anyone.

I think in order to graduate a semester early, one must have some idea of what he plans to do with his life after high school.

Maturity is very important and a key to leaving high school early. Anyone considering early graduation should certainly put a great deal of thought and care into the final decision."

If you are interested in the early graduation program go confer with your counselor to see if you qualify. If so you may pick up your registration papers in the counseling center.