School Information

Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are closed and will reopen for the 2026-2027 school year in November. Application information will be posted to our school website and social media channels. However, it is recommended to begin gathering documentation such as ACT/accuplacer scores, student transcripts, and a recommendation letter from a staff member at the student’s current school. Applicants will complete a form in which they will upload their most recent transcript, a letter of recommendation, contact information, and either ACT or Accuplacer scores. Incomplete applications will not be considered. See the FAQs for more information on the ACT/Accuplacer requirements.

Our students follow the Chattanooga State academic calendar rather than the Hamilton County School academic calendar, including extended breaks, inclement weather, and some holidays. While we offer students flexibility with their schedule, students are expected to arrive to class on time and consistently. For our high school classes (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, English 9, and English 10), we follow the Hamilton County attendance policy posted below.  However, Chattanooga State professors who teach Dual Enrollment policies set their own attendance guidelines and these must be followed accordingly.

Hamilton County Department of Education

Attendance Policy (6.200)

Regular attendance is essential for academic achievement. Recognizing that, the following procedures govern attendance:

* Absences are recorded daily by class.

* Written excuses stating the reason for absences must be turned in to the Collegiate High office within five (5) days of the student returning to school.  After 5 business days, excuses will remain posted as UNEXCUSED.

* By law students are allowed 5 unexcused absences per school year. HCDE will allow parent/guardian excuses to serve as documentation for 3 additional personal illness days. **After the 5 unexcused days and the 3 additional personal illness days, parents must provide medical services documentation.** To avoid student absences being recorded as unexcused, a written statement signed and dated by the parent or guardian and any medical documentation should be presented to the school within 5 days of the student returning to school.

The following are legal reasons for excusing a student from school:

Personal Illness – A physician’s statement may be required.

Death in Immediate Family – Students may be excused for three days in the event of a death in their immediate families including parents, step-parents, siblings, or grandparents.

Family Illness – Students having an illness in the family which requires them to give temporary help will be excused from attendance after receipt of a physician’s statement concerning the necessity of the student’s assistance.

Religious Holiday – Students shall be excused on religious holidays regularly observed by their faith. Prior approval may be required.

Personal – Students who are absent for a good cause – doctor, dental, or court appointment may be excused upon proof of appointment.

Approved School Sponsored Activities – Students shall be marked present when participating in a school sponsored activity away from the school building.

Excessive absences are governed by Tennessee State Law, which requires that school officials report to the court any parent, guardian, or other person in a parental relationship with a child who is unlawfully absent from school for any five days during the school year without adequate excuse.  TCA 49-6-3007

Chattanooga State Campus
4501 Amnicola Highway
Chattanooga, TN 37406

Collegiate High Office: Branch 21 (CAT Building on the map)

Students will earn both high school and college credits by taking Dual Enrollment classes. Below are the requirements to obtain a high school diploma. Beyond these requirements, students may take classes aligned to their professional and personal interests or align to the Chattanooga State Associate’s Degree requirements.

Computer Science:  1 credit (beginning with class of 2028)

Dual Enrollment classes are based on the tuition rates set forth by Chattanooga State and may change annually. While we do offer grants for Juniors & Seniors, as well as a low-income scholarship for qualifying 9th-12th graders, any remaining balance is the responsibility of the guardian(s) and student. See the FAQs for more information on these funding opportunities.

Out of state and out of district students will also be required to pay a percentage of the current out of state/district tuition rate to Hamilton County Schools. This tuition may fluctuate annually.

Providing it fits with a student’s schedule, students may use the HCS Stem bus. Students may also ride on Carta Route 28 for free if they have signed up for Chattanooga Public Library’s Read and Ride Program. Click here for details.