Clay County Has 100% Graduation Rate

One hundred percent of Clay County High School seniors received their high school diploma last spring.

Clay County High School Principal Derek Upchurch said he was proud of his school.

“Well honestly it was a team effort, we have a lot of assist, not only our high school here, but we have a partnership, we actually have the local adult high school that gives students for some unfortunate circumstance that falls behind an opportunity to earn a high school diploma also,” Upchurch said.

Upchurch has been at the school for 13 years and it’s always had a high graduation rate, but he believes 100 percent is a first. That’s the goal for the coming year.

“We’re trying our best, our number one goal is for every student to have a path to get a high school diploma and we’ve got a faculty, staff, guidance counselors and people who work with those guys to make sure they take advantage of every opportunity that they have and get there one way or another,” Upchurch said.

Thursday, Gov. Bill Haslam announced the Tennessee had a record high graduation rate at 89.1 percent statewide. All Upper Cumberland school districts had high graduation rates last year.