Tennessee Scholars

Program Description

Tennessee Scholars is a state-wide, business-led program that communicates the expectations of the workforce and post-secondary education early in the academic career of the child. When a student graduates as a Tennessee Scholar they are eligible for scholarships, rewards and recognition, job preferential hiring, and many other incentives from businesses. A Tennessee Scholar graduates with a rigorous academic course of study and workforce skills such as 95% attendance, no out-of-school suspensions, at least 80 hours of volunteer service (visit www.tennesseescholars.org for a complete course description). All Tennessee Scholars must meet the State Requirement of the Tennessee Diploma Path as well as the additional expectations. While any student may qualify to be a Tennessee Scholar, all criteria must be met in order to finish the program.

The Tennessee Scholars have access to mentoring, job shadowing, volunteer opportunities, networking with business and industry, and recognition for achievement. This access is possible through business interaction with the program. The program is business led, and business leaders are finding creative ways to incentivize students to graduate prepared for the future.

Tennessee Scholars also provides:

• Collaboration with any other program or service in a community that supports student achievement
• Parent workshops and information
• Links to resources for parents, children, educators, and business
• Advocacy
• Volunteer training

Success Stories

Demographics

Education Level and
Number of Students

• High School: 35000
• Middle School: 0
• Elementary School: 0
• Post-secondary: 0
• Non-traditional: 0

Populations Served

• Academically At-risk
• Academically High-performing
• ESL Students

First-Generation

• Between 25% and 50%