Clarke Central High School science department teacher Roenessa Witcher looks at a book in Room 346 on Dec. 12, 2023. With the Biology I End-of-Course exam scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on Dec 10, Witcher provided students with as many resources as possible. “I will give (students an) EOC review grade calculator (in Google Classroom),” Witcher said. “Normally, when we give (students) that calculator early on, they’re constantly (looking) at their score so it’ll give them a mind frame (of how much they need to prepare).” Photo by Daniel Cruz
With the 2025-26 school year’s fall semester coming to an end on Dec. 19, CCHS freshmen prepare for their first high school finals and End-of-Course exams.
As the fall semester of the 2025-26 school year comes to an end, Clarke Central High School students will take their final exams and End-of-Course (EOC) exams before the start of Winter Break on Dec. 19.
For most freshmen, these assessments mark their first EOC or high school exam, which calls for additional preparation for some. End-of-Course exams account for 20% of a student’s overall grade, with freshmen generally taking both the Algebra I and the Biology I EOC, which will take place on Dec. 12 and 10, respectively.
“The biggest thing is making sure that (the science department) builds in review time as we move along versus trying to wait until the end (of the semester) to review (content) and cram everything (at once),” CCHS science department teacher Roenessa Witcher said. “A cram session definitely would not work for ninth graders.”
“The biggest thing is making sure that (the science department) builds in review time as we move along versus trying to wait until the end (of the semester) to review (content) and cram everything (at once),”
— Roenessa Witcher,
CCHS science department teacher
The schedule for the Clarke Central High School’s fall semesters End-of-Course (EOC) and final exams is shown.With the Biology I End-of-Course exam scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on Dec 10, CCHS science department teacher Roenessa Witcher offered students various interactive review games through educational platforms such as Wayground. “They could either choose to do a Jeopardy game (or) a board game,” Witcher said. “I try to make it fun for them because most of the time, (they are just) sitting in class.” Graphic by Edie Ash
In addition to allowing time for review and discouraging last-minute cramming, Witcher has provided students with a range of resources to support studying and help them prepare for the exam.
“Ms. Witcher has prepared us by posting many (review) games over the material from this semester,” CCHS freshman Sesily Brannen said. “We have many review assignments to do at home (to) help (us) with remembering the material from the entire semester.”
Outside of reviewing course material, Witcher also prepared students by ensuring they are ready to take the exam by the start time at 8:45 a.m.
“I tell them to get to their testing location by 8:40 a.m.,” Witcher said. “I encourage them to bring a snack because in the testing, you can have water, juice, fruit and chips,” Witcher said. “I try to encourage (students) to have something (because) you’ve got to feed your brain.”
