High School

High school offers students personalized, thematic learning tied to real-world experiences. At the end of grade 12, students will be academically prepared to transition to college and career.

Throughout grades 9 to 12, students will develop and follow a plan for post-secondary education and/or career by completing at least one advanced course and obtaining college credit and/or a nationally recognized professional certification, as well as contributing through one or more work-based internships and/or service-learning experiences.

Metro Schools high schoolers also have access to experiences that will further enrich their high school experience and prepare them for college or career, such as:

Advanced Placement classes
dual enrollment
dual credit, including graduating from high school with a two-year associate's college degree in hand.
industry certifications

You can read more about the academic opportunities available to your student - which include full tuition college scholarships - on the College and Career Readiness page.

What's On This Page?

Highlights of skills high school students should possess when they transition to postsecondary education like college and university or training, the workforce, or military service.
Tips for preparing students to make college and career choices.
How to support students taking standardized tests such as End of Course (EOC) exams and the ACT.
Links to information about tests and assessments students will take in high school.

Preparing Your High School Student for College and Career Success

Preparing your child for college education, career options, and taking the ACT began as soon as they started elementary school. The information here outlines a variety of academic skills and planning activities that will support students as they complete high school and pursue their college and career aspirations.

Skills Your Child Will Learn by Subject

English

Use proper English grammar to improve their writing and presentations, including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
Effectively use language in different situations to enhance meaning or style, aiding comprehension of texts during reading, writing, or speaking activities.
Recognize and utilize a variety of academic and subject-specific words and phrases.
Enhance writing skills by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or attempting new approaches.
Write topical essays for specific purposes and audiences, including crafting engaging introductions, using relevant examples and details, and creating strong conclusions.
Revise and edit work based on feedback from peers and teachers.

Reading

Engage with important texts from history and literature.
Read attentively and support ideas with evidence.
Identify main ideas and summarize key points.
Understand word meanings, including figurative language.
Analyze how story elements affect meaning, style, and mood.
Evaluate an author's use of evidence and track their ideas.
Use information from various sources and assess reliability.
Construct and justify arguments using multiple sources.

Math

Work with numbers in various ways, including prime factorization, rational exponents, complex numbers, and matrices.
Use trigonometry to solve problems related to right triangles and distance between points.
Understand geometric shapes such as parabolas, circles, and three-dimensional objects.
Analyze data and graphs to draw conclusions.
Solve complex geometry problems and interpret graphs showing changes.
Understand and create different types of functions, such as exponential relationships and trigonometric functions.
Solve equations and inequalities involving algebraic expressions.
Interpret graphs and charts and apply statistical techniques to analyze data.
Learn about probability and its real-world applications.
Use statistical modeling to identify patterns in data.

Science

Understand how ecosystems function and human impact on them.
Study protein functions and structures through experiments.
Compare various types of cells and their components.
Conduct experiments to explore gas behavior.
Investigate the effects of solute concentration on boiling and freezing points.
Explore the evolution of atomic models throughout history.
Experiment with Ohm’s Law to understand electricity.
Learn about the relationship between air resistance and velocity.
Explore different models of electromagnetic radiation.

Preparing for Standardized Tests

Talking to your child about tests such as End of Course (EOC) exams and the ACT

Foster a positive self-image as a unique and valuable person.
Identify and express personal values and beliefs.
Advocate for oneself using assertiveness skills.
Take responsibility for choices and their consequences.
Persist through challenges to reach goals.
Set high expectations for achievement.
Aspire to pursue additional training and education after high school.
Use test-taking, time management, organization, and study skills to boost academic success.
Set and track progress toward long- and short-term goals.
Stay engaged and persist in challenging coursework.

Preparing for the Future

Steps for Supporting Your Student

Support community service participation.
Emphasize leadership and teamwork.
Encourage healthy relationships with peers and adults.
Set goals and create a post-high school plan.
Discuss the benefits of education and training for career success.
Explore summer activities related to student interests.
Develop professional skills such as communication, responsibility, and punctuality.
Attend the MNPS College and Career Fairs.
Take challenging classes and prepare for the ACT.
Consider taking Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and AP/IB/Cambridge classes.
Discuss college finances and payment options.
Prepare for the transition to college or work.
Use College for TN to explore opportunities.

Curricular Resources

Access to online samples is available through the TN State Department of Education’s website.

English Language Arts

Grades 9 to 12 - SAVVAS: My Perspectives

Math

Integrated Math I, II, & III Open Up

Science

Physical Science - McGraw Hill: Glencoe Physical Science
Biology - SAVVAS: Next Generation Biology
Chemistry - McGraw Hill: Chemistry
Physics - Prentice Hall: Physics
Physics C - Cengage: Physics for Scientists and Engineers
AP Biology - Bedford Freeman Worth: Principles of Life
AP Chemistry - Cengage: Chemistry Matter & Change
Environmental Science - Cengage: Environmental Science: Sustaining Your World
AP Environmental Science - Bedford Freeman & Worth: AP Environmental Science
AP Physics - Savvas: College Physics
Anatomy & Physiology - Pearson (Savvas): Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

Social Studies

World History and Geography - McGraw-Hill: World History and Geography: Industrial Revolution to the Present
U.S. History and Geography - McGraw-Hill: United States History and Geography: Post-Reconstruction to the Present
U.S. Government - McGraw Hill: United States Government and Civics
Economics - SAVVAS: Economics
Personal Finance - Cengage: Managing Your Personal Finances
Psychology - McGraw Hill: Understanding Psychology

Sociology

McGraw Hill: Sociology and You

Physical Education

Physical Education Grades K to 12 - SPARK
High School Wellness - SAVVAS: Pearson Health

Visual and Performing Arts

High School Theatre - Theatre: Art in Action

World Languages

Spanish

High School Spanish & Heritage Spanish

Spanish I, II, and III,IV
¡Que Chevere! 1, 2, 3, 4!
¡Que Chevere4!

AP Spanish - Vista Higher Learning Temas
AP Spanish - Literature Azulejos

Latin

Grades 9 to 12 - Latin for the New Millennium LEVELS 1, 2, 3, 4
AP - AP Latin: Vergil's Aeneid.

French

Grades 9 to 12 - T'es branche & Passport

German

Grades Grades 9 12
Prima Plus I-III
German: AP German Language and Culture –N. Blickwinkel

Mandarin & Chinese

Grades 9 to 12 - Step up to Chinese

Arabic

Grades 9 to 12 - Ahlan wa Sahlan

Access to online samples is available through the TN State Department of
Education’s website.

District and State Assessments Schedule and Overview

ACT for Students in Grades 11 and 12

Advanced Academic Tests for Students in Grades 9 through 12 Grades

Advanced Academic tests include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge (AICE), Dual Credit (DC), and Industry Certification (IC) test. Tests are taken at the conclusion of the corresponding course and typically occur in the spring, with a few happening at other times during the school year. Results return indicate mastery of the corresponding subject or skill area.

Career Inventory for 9th Grade Students

District Benchmark for Students in Grades 9 to 12

End of Course (EOC) for Students who are Taking the Corresponding Course

ELPA21 is an English Language Proficiency test given to students who are English language learners.

FastBridge is Given to Students in Grade 9

Pre-ACT is Given to Students in Grade 10

Information for Seniors

Check out the Seniors page for information on graduation requirements, tips for applying to college and more.

University MNPS Scholarships

Metro Nashville Public Schools seniors who qualify are eligible for an array of scholarships - including full tuition scholarships - at Nashville-area colleges and universities through the University MNPS initiative.

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