Cheatham County Central High School is a public high school in Ashland City, Tennessee serving students in grades 9–12 as part of the Cheatham County School District.[5]
| Cheatham County Central High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
 | |
1 Cub Circle , 37015 | |
| 36°18′15″N 87°05′36″W / 36.3043°N 87.0934°W | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
Principal | Stephen Wenning[1] |
| Grades | 9–12 |
| Enrollment | 553 (2023–24)[2] |
Student to teacher ratio | 16:1[3] |
| Colors | Cardinal White[4] |
| Team name | Cubs |
| Website | CCCHS |
History
editThe original Cheatham County Central High School building was built in 1919. It was demolished in 1970 and replaced by newer school facilities in Ashland City as part of countywide modernization and consolidation efforts, leading to the establishment of the present Cheatham County Central High School campus.[6][7]
In 1986, the school made national headlines after participating in a state-run program where students have a say in how their peers are disciplined.[8]
In 2011, a student died by suicide after experiencing anti-gay bullying, spurring discussion on whether the school's anti-bullying policy went far enough.[9][10]
Academics and ratings
editCheatham County Central's overall academic performance on standardized tests is below both county and state averages, particularly in math proficiency, where approximately 14% of students score at or above proficiency compared to a state average of around 34%. Reading proficiency is slightly above state levels at about 39%.[11]
The school is ranked in the bottom 50% of Tennessee high schools based on combined test scores.[11] According to SchoolDigger's 2025 statewide rankings, Cheatham County Central was 187th out of 389 Tennessee high schools.[12] It also has a GreatSchools rating of 3 out of 10.[13]
Niche assigns the school a C grade academically, with a reported graduation rate of about 77%.[14] The average ACT score for the school in 2025 was a 19.[15]
Athletics
editCheatham County Central fields athletic teams known as the Cubs, competing in football, basketball, baseball, softball, and other interscholastic activities. The school's athletics programs participate under the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA).[5] In recent years, the school's football stadium underwent a major renovation, with older concrete bleachers replaced by new aluminum installations funded by the Cheatham County School Board and county commission. Due to the construction schedule, the football team played several “home” games at away fields during part of the 2024 season.[16][17]
In 2025, new alumnum bleachers debuted.[18] In 2026, the school's boys soccer team qualified for the state tournament for the first time.[19]
Demographics
editIn the 2023–2024 school year, CCCHS's student body was:[2]
- 76.3% White
- 11.2% Hispanic
- 6.0% Black/African American
- 5.1% two or more races
- 1.3% Native American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
- 0.2% Asian
References
edit- ↑ "Staff Directory – Cheatham County Central High School". Cheatham County Central High School. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- 1 2 "Search for Public Schools - Cheatham Co Central (470057000228)". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Cheatham County Central High School". Homes.com. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ "School Directory". portal.tssaa.org. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- 1 2 "Cheatham County Central High School". Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ "PHOTOS: Cheatham County Schools through the years". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Demolition of the 1919 Cheatham County Central High School". Cheatham County Archives. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Students learn value of cooperation". The Commercial Appeal. November 21, 1986. p. 96. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Gay teen's suicide in Ashland City spurs review of anti-bullying policy". The Jackson Sun. December 27, 2011. p. 4. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- ↑ Lambert, Deanna (December 8, 2011). "Friends say classmate killed himself due to anti-gay bullying". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- 1 2 "Cheatham Co Central (Ranked Bottom 50%)". Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Cheatham County Central". SchoolDigger. Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ "Explore Cheatham Co Central in Ashland City, TN". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Cheatham County Central High School Test Scores and Academics". Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ Wegner, Rachel. "Tennessee ACT scores are out for 2025. See how your high school did". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 10, 2026.
- ↑ "CCCHS is getting new football bleachers". Retrieved October 15, 2025.
- ↑ Nixon, Katie. "Cheatham County Central High plans community event to unveil new $1M bleachers". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
- ↑ Nixon, Katie. "Cheatham County Central High plans community event to unveil new $1M bleachers". The Tennessean.
- ↑ Patrick, Casey (May 18, 2026). "Cheatham County Central Cubs make school history with run at State Soccer Tournament - Main Street Media of Tennessee". The Cheatham County Exchange.