Seven schools in Hamilton County Schools have earned the designation of United States Civics All-Star Schools for 2019. The schools are Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences – Upper, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State, Ivey Academy, Sale Creek Middle /High and STEM School Chattanooga. Civics All-Star Schools are schools in which all seniors earned a 70 percent or higher on the U.S.
Civics Test. Seven schools earning the state honor is an increase from three schools last year in Hamilton County Schools. Chattanooga High Center for Creative Arts, Hamilton County Collegiate High at Chattanooga State and STEM School Chattanooga are all repeat Civics All-Star Schools earning the honor last year and this year.
These schools have a head start toward meeting new guidelines and recognition opportunities for Civics coming next year. In March, Governor Bill Lee announced schools would have the opportunity to earn the Governor’s Civics Seal during his State of the State address. The Governor’s Seal will recognize schools and districts that prioritize teaching our nation’s history and civic values. The new seal and schools that earn it next year will be noted on the State Report Card and districts with 80 percent of schools earning the seal will also be able to earn the designation as a Tennessee Excellence in Civics Education District. All-Star schools will still be recognized with the addition of the Governor’s Seal. Schools will have the opportunity to advance to the next level of civics success for students to earn the new seal.
The state is currently holding a contest encouraging students to submit designs for the new seal. All students in grades kindergarten through twelve who attend a Tennessee public or charter school are eligible to submit a design in the contest. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The contest is open until Dec. 13. For more information on how to submit an entry, visit the
Governor’s Civics Seal web page.