Two East Nashville Schools Awarded $500,000 To Show Students The Ropes Of Getting Into College

Students at two Nashville high schools are getting some extra help as they prepare for college and even as they start pursuing a degree.

A new in-school support program, the First Tennessee Foundation Success Generation, will provide students with mentors as they navigate through things like entrance exams and application deadlines.



On Monday, leaders of First Tennessee Bank and the Martha O’Bryan
Center announced a $500,000 donation to fund the program.

The initiative builds on existing mentorship classes at Stratford and Maplewood high schools.

The extra funding will allow for new hires at each site, including a full-time post-secondary success coach and a social worker along with longer hours, making the center available after the school day and during breaks.

It also expands the reach by providing support for the students once they start college. Mentors will check in remotely to enable a smooth transition.

Mayor Megan Barry attended the announcement and spoke to students, stressing the importance of a college degree.

She explained that college graduates earn at least twice the amount of their high school graduate peers and urged every teenager listening to take advantage of the new program.