Scholars Program
  

Scholars Program

SCHOLARS PROGRAM CURRICULUM
On June 12, 1984, the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Education established the Scholars Program. Its objectives are to provide more opportunities for in-depth study in all subject areas, to strengthen academic skills, to intensify academic motivation, to make academic achievement more prestigious, to improve scores on college admission tests and to increase options for university admissions, college majors, and careers.

ADMISSION
Students in the Scholars Program should be willing to engage in the rigorous curriculum required for an Honors Diploma. Students need a teacher recommendation in order to take honors and/or AP classes.


SCHOLARS PROGRAM CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS GRADUATING IN 2010 - 2012

Students must meet NSA’s graduation requirements and take the following courses:

  • Complete 8 credits of honors and/or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. At least two of the eight classes must be AP classes.
  • At least one of the AP classes must be taken in the junior or senior year.
  • Students must take 2 of the 8 honors/AP classes in the junior year and 2 in the senior year.

SCHOLARS PROGRAM CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS GRADUATING IN 2013 AND BEYOND

In order to graduate with “honors”, students must score at or above all of the subject area readiness benchmarks on the ACT or equivalent score on the SAT. The ACT Benchmark scores are:

  • English 18
  • Math 22
  • Science 24
  • Reading 21


In order for students to graduate with “distinction”, students must earn a B average (85 or higher) AND complete ONE of the following:

  • Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
  • Participate in at least one of the Governor's School
  • Participate in one of the state's All State musical organizations
  • Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
  • Attain a score of 31 or higher composite score on the ACT
  • Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two advanced placement exams
  • Successfully complete the I.B. Diploma Program
  • Earn 12 or more semester hours of transcripted postsecondary credit

GRADES

In computing numerical grades for honors and AP courses, three points shall be added to the numerical nine week and examination grades for honors courses, and five points will be added for AP courses.

Students who take AP examinations and pass with a score of three or above shall be reimbursed for the cost of the examination(s) by the Metropolitan Board of Public Education.

The averages for Academic Honors and Distinguished Scholar shall be computed from the first seven semesters of grade averages.