Project GRAD Knoxville

Program Description

Our Vision: "We see a world of hope - where there are no limits on potential, the greatness in every child is inspired and celebrated, and dreams are realized through opportunities and education."

Project GRAD Knoxville (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) is a college/career access program serving fourteen high need public schools (ten elementary, two middle, two high) plus graduates of those two high schools who are pursuing post-secondary education. In partnership with Knox County Schools and the communities we serve, our mission is to impact generational change through education. Our K-16 approach focuses on: college/career access and success, social services support, family/neighborhood/community engagement, and intentional supports for disadvantaged students. Approximately 7,000 students are supported by school based staff, college support coaches, and field support. Additionally, computerized scholarship research centers are provided at the high schools. Both high schools are configured as small learning communities/academies. Upon graduation from either of the two high schools, eligible students receive a $4000 scholarship to any accredited post-secondary institution. The criteria for receiving this scholarship are: students must graduate on time, maintain a 2.5 or higher GPA, and complete two PGK college institutes.

Community results:

• Prior to Project GRAD in 2001, the Principals of Knoxville's two inner city high schools indicated that the graduation rates of beginning 9th graders were less than 50%. The stated goal of Project GRAD Knoxville was that over a 12 year period the graduation rate would be increased to 80%. As of 2011, the combined graduation rate of the two high schools stood at 83%.
• Prior to Project GRAD it was estimated by Austin-East and Fulton High School's principals that less than 50 students a year were going to college or post-secondary training from their schools. Now approximately 200 students are doing so per year. Of the students meeting the GPA and summer institute attendance requirements to qualify for the Project GRAD scholarship, 83% are attending post-secondary institutions.
• The first class eligible for the Project GRAD scholarship was the Class of 2005. The PGK post-secondary completion rate from the enrolled cohorts of 2005-2007 (classes that could have completed within the typical four to six year window) is 40%. The percentage of Tennessee's population earning a bachelor's degree is 22.5%; the percentage of Project GRAD scholarship recipients earning a bachelor's degree is 33%.
• 1,877 students have taken advantage of the opportunity to attend multi-week Summer Institutes at Pellissippi State Community College and week-long residential Summer Institutes at UT Knoxville resulting in 3,254 total enrollments.
• During the period of time Project GRAD provided targeted academic support in math, the academic achievement gap in Math was reduced from 23.7% to 11.8% in elementary schools and from 19.6% to 11.8% in middle schools.
• Prior to the KCS GRAD Partnership, social service issues were handled by teachers and administrators and other staff. As of 2011, school-based GRAD Campus Family Support staff has handled more than 47,000 social service/basic need/family support referrals freeing up teachers and administrators and dramatically increasing parental involvement.
• As of Spring 2012, Project GRAD scholarships totaling over $1.4 million have been disbursed on behalf of local high school graduates, leveraging significant money through lottery scholarships, state grants, Pell grants, as well as academic and athletic scholarships. A GRAD USA analysis shows that every GRAD scholarship dollar leverages three additional dollars in grants and scholarships.

Success Stories

Demographics

Race & Ethnicity

• American Indian or Native Alaskan: 1%
• White: 41%
• Asian or Pacific Islander: 1%
• Hispanic/Latino: 7%
• African American: 50%

Education Level and
Number of Students

• High School: 1732
• Middle School: 926
• Elementary School: 4010
• Post-secondary: 303
• Non-traditional: 0

Populations Served

• Academically At-risk
• Academically High-performing
• ESL Students
• Undocumented Students (8)

First-Generation

• Less than 25%

Matriculation & Completion

• 4-yr College Matriculation: 83%
• 4-yr College Graduation: 33%