New Nashville high school will let students graduate with an associate’s degree
Nashville schools students are gaining an option to graduate the district with a college associate’s degree.
Nashville State Community College and Metro Nashville Public Schools, in a partnership announced Thursday, are creating the district’s first-ever early college high school program.
The program will begin in the 2018-19 school year and be housed at Nashville public schools’ Middle College High School located at the community college’s main campus.
The program will emphasize information technology and allow students to graduate with a high school diploma and associate’s degree.
“Our goal is to better prepare students for life by giving them early access to opportunities like college and the ability to make a decent living after high school. The best part of this educational opportunity is that it will be offered at a no cost,” Director of Schools Shawn Joseph said. “While other school districts have adopted early college concepts, this will be a first effort for Metro Schools.”
Students will graduate with an Associate of Science in Information Technology, according to a news release. The degree is part of the Tennessee Transfer Pathways program which guarantees that college credits earned will also transfer to some public and private universities in Tennessee for completion toward a bachelor’s degree, it says.
“Postsecondary education is a necessity in today’s workforce, and attending an early college program while still in high school is a proactive way to ensure students are on a clear path toward obtaining a college degree. I look forward to building on this effort with MNPS to best serve students in the region.” incoming Nashville State President, Shanna Jackson said.
The school will offer support and personalize education so students are able to balance taking high school and community college-level courses.
Eighth grade students who meet the district’s academic magnet entrance requirements, including a grade point average of 85 or greater and acceptable test scores, may apply. In its inaugural year, the news release says.
Only 100 seats will be opened to qualified students entering 9th grade. The school will add a grade each year with the first graduating class in the 2021-2022 school year.
The Early College program will gradually replace the current Middle College Program, which provides students the opportunity to earn college credits and an associate’s degree but is not set up to ensure students earn the college degree.
To apply, parents are asked to visit: mnps.org/early-college-application-process.