Science Hill High School Newsletter

Students and Families,

We received positive news late last month showing our emphasis on Advance Placement courses is paying off for our students. A report from College Board, the organization that administers AP courses, showed Science Hill has steadily grown over the last five years in the number of students taking AP courses and the number of students scoring a 3 or higher on AP exams.

In 2024, 734 students were enrolled in AP courses, 44 more than the year before and 176 more than in 2020. Also in 2024, students took 1,543 AP exams, up 58 from the previous year, and 531 students scored 3 or higher, an increase of 38. According to the report, 72.34% of AP students scored 3 or higher on an exam, an increase of nearly a percentage point from 2023’s 71.45%.

This type of improvement is hard to achieve and is a direct result of our teaching staff and their dedication to excellence. It also shows the talent of our student body, their willingness to work hard, their own dedication to excellence. Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our School Board and the Johnson City Commission, who cover the cost of AP exams for our students.

Grant Day

Our teaching staff's dedication was again demonstrated just this week, when 10 of our educators received grants from the Johnson City Public Schools Foundation. These grants from the Foundation help our teachers to improve their methods and materials, but because of the limited funds available, teachers must make a compelling case to have their grants funded. We're proud of our teachers who were able to secure grant funding, and we're thankful for the Johnson City Public Schools Foundation, which makes these educational projects possible.

Give Thanks

The Thanksgiving holiday arrives in two weeks. There won't be any school from November 27 to November 29 in observance, and we hope our students and their families get time to be together, enjoy good food and fellowship and consider the things for which they can give thanks.

Go Toppers!

Josh Carter

SHHS Principal

There will be no school Nov. 27-29 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Please enjoy this time with your families and pause to give thanks for the good things in your lives.

Take a look at our online calendars to stay up to date with what's going on at Science Hill:

Science Hill students honored the men and women, past and present, who served in the U.S. Armed Forces at a special Veterans Day ceremony Monday, November 11.

JROTC cadets presented the colors, the flags for each branch of the military and the POW/MIA flag. Science Hill sociology teacher Kortney Caldwell received a memorial wreath on behalf of her grandfather, Roscoe Craig Bayless. Cadet Maj. Kenton Rowe and Retired Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin L. Harry spoke to students and staff about their service for the country.

Thank you to the JROTC cadets who conducted the ceremony and the Hilltopper Band who played the National Anthem and other patriotic songs!

The Science Hill Student Activities Council is again holding a Thanksgiving Box Food Drive this year to build community participation and encourage students to give back to their neighbors. Thanksgiving boxes containing non-perishable food items and a turkey will be delivered to the homes of selected families with at least one student currently attending SHHS.

First block classes will be assigned a type and amount of a food item to collect. Please see the included list of assignments for each class.

At the beginning of second block on Monday, November 25, the food will be collected from the classrooms, and SAC members will deliver the assembled Thanksgiving boxes on Tuesday, November 26.

Last year's Thanksgiving Box Project was a tremendous blessing to countless families in our school community. We greatly appreciate the faculty, staff and students who contributed their time and energy to helping our students and our families and we hope to exceed last year's generosity this year!

Congratulations to the 10 Science Hill educators who received grant funding from the Johnson City Public Schools Foundation: Rebecca Mazoff, Melissa Phillips, Russell Minatel, Jeff Price, Alex Kinder, Keith Greer, Jody Smith, Tara Crosby, Brittany Farmer and Tracy Coggins!

The grants they received will help pay for AP Research materials, repairs for a competitive solar-powered cart, employment training and more.

Members of the Foundation surprised teachers all over the district Wednesday with the news and took photos of their reactions. Thanks to the Foundation for their continued partnership and thanks to our educators for their dedication to helping our students learn.

Everyone needs a little advice and support at times. Our dedicated counselors are always ready to help! Check out the SHHS Counseling page, or email a counselor directly below:

• Joe McPherson (last names A-Carp) mcphersonj@jcschools.org
• Kim Thompson (Carr-E) thompsonk@jcschools.org
• Dr. Stacey Philbrick (F-Hon) philbricks@jcschools.org
• Ryan Goines (Hoo-Maq) goinesr@jcschools.org
• Suzanne Reaves (Mar-Pa) reavess@jcschools.org
• Seth Douglas (Pe-Sti) douglass@jcschools.org
• Eva Price (Sto-Z) pricee@jcschools.org
• Josh Jarnigan (Career Counseling) jarniganj@jcschools.org
• Chad Plaisted (Topper Academy) plaistedc@jcschools.org

• Seniors should be finished or almost finished with their college applications and should now be looking for scholarships. There are several scholarships listed on the Financial Aid/Scholarships page. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your counselor.

• FAFSA opens on December 1. If you have not scheduled a meeting with Holly Frye to help you with this, email her at hfrye@niswongerfoundation.org.
  

• The TN Promise deadline has been postponed to January 15 because of the impacts of Hurricane Helene.

• Make sure that you have an updated resume ready to go, whether you are going to school, military or straight to the workforce. You WILL need one.

Daily Announcements
Check out our announcements page that are updated daily on the website! This is where you can find more information about detailed events, student opportunities, club meetings and more! Follow the link above or press the button on the website's main page that can be found by scrolling halfway down.

Social Media

Social Media can be a great communication tool to push out important events and information in a fun and entertaining way. Both our official Instagram (handle: sciencehill_jcs) and Facebook (ScienceHillJCS) are used to showcase what's going on at the hill both academically and athletically while keeping both families and students informed with the most updated information

All student and parent forms can be found in our Main Office in two main places: on a grid on the wall by the main entrance or on our counters.

On Wall in the Main Office

PTA Forms - How to sign up and be informed with PTA events and news.

JCS Communication Tools - Information on how to stay connected with Johnson City Schools.

Gradebook Portal Request Form - To request access to PowerSchool parent account.

DMV Form - Needed to obtain their learner's permit. It must be filled out and signed before taking it to the DMV.

Community Service Hours Form - Log form for students' community service hours. Must be signed by a the volunteer supervisor.

Transit Request Forms - Must be filled out, approved, and on file before students can use the school bus system.

Medicine Administration Permission Form - Must be filled out and turned into the nurse if students have medicine that needs to be taken during the school day.

Parent Observer Request Form - To request access to Canvas parent account.

On the counter in the Main Office

Lunch Form - For more information about our lunch program. There is a QR code that will direct on how to fill out forms regarding free and reduced lunch.

School Map - For a layout of the school so that students are able to locate their classes.

Drop-Off/Pick Up Map - For car drop off and pick up locations.