Ayers Scholars
February 5, 2024 2024-03-27 13:22Ayers Scholars
An Ayers Scholars Student Experience
8th Grade
Introduction
- Introduce the Ayers Scholars Program
- Begin fostering aspiration to pursue education and training after high school
9th Grade
EXPOSURE
- Expose career and college options
- Meet the Ayers counselors who will be a guide throughout high school and beyond
10th Grade
Exploration
- Explore your ‘why’
- Consider dual enrollment options and availability
- Continue to build relationships and content knowledge
11th Grade
Planning
- Begin to develop an Individualized Postsecondary Plan for the future
- Attend college fair in the fall
- Attend junior engagement events and Financial Aid Night
12th Grade
Applying
- Apply for the Tennessee Promise and other scholarships
- Visit college campuses
- Apply to colleges, universities, and TCATs
- Fill out the FAFSA
- Complete work on a college budget to determine the best college fit
- Gain acceptance to college, TCAT, military, or apprenticeships, and celebrate with the community at the Signing Day Celebration!
- Stay in touch with Ayers counselors for follow-up and questions after orientation to ensure a smooth transition into your chosen postsecondary option
College & Beyond
Continued Support
- Regular check-ins, reminders, and support to navigate financial aid, class scheduling, and academic processes
- Reach Your GOALS!
SERVING RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS TENNESSEE
Partner High Schools
Tennessee Counties
Ayers Scholars County Map
The counties we serve.
Decatur
Riverside High School
Perry
Perry County High School
Henderson
Lexington High School
Scotts Hill High School
Unicoi
Unicoi County High School
Union County High School
Haywood
Haywood High School
Benton
Big Sandy High School
Camden Central High School
Hardin
Hardin County High School
Wayne
Collinwood High School
Frank Hughes School
Wayne County High School
Lewis
Lewis County High School
Union
Union County High School
Claiborne
Claiborne High School
Cumberland Gap High School
Lauderdale
Halls High School
Ripley High School
McNairy
Adamsville High School
McNairy Central High School
Houston
Houston County High School
Lawrence
Lawrence County High School
Loretto High School
Summertown High School
Warren
Warren County High School
Bledsoe
Bledsoe County High School
Meigs
Meigs County High School
Scott
Jellico High School
Scott High School
Campbell
Campbell County Comprehensive High School
Oneida High School
Cocke
Cocke County High
Cosby High School
Ayers Foundation Trust Counties
- Decatur
- Perry
- Henderson
- Unicoi
2021 Expansion Counties
- Haywood
- Benton
- Hardin
- Wayne
- Lewis
- Union
- Claiborne
2023 Expansion Counties
- Lauderdale
- McNairy
- Houston
- Lawrence
- Warren
- Bledsoe
- Meigs
- Scott
- Campbell
- Cocke
MEET YOUR COUNSELORS
TENNESSEE PROMISE PARTNER
The state of Tennessee designated the Ayers Foundation Trust as a partner of the Tennessee Promise scholarship in 2015— a last-dollar scholarship that allows every Tennessee high school graduate to attend community college or technical school tuition-free. All students must complete and submit 8 hours of community service for each semester to maintain eligibility for the Tennessee Promise scholarship.
UT PROMISE PARTNER
The University of Tennessee System designated the Ayers Foundation Trust as a partner of the UT Promise Scholarship in 2019. UT Promise is an undergraduate scholarship program guaranteeing free tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Tennessee residents attending UT’s campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Pulaski, Martin, and Memphis.
93% FAFSA Submission Rate
19 Percentage Points Higher Than the Statewide FAFSA Submission Rate
5x Increase
in College-Going Compared to the State
$186 Million
in Scholarships and Grants
82% Retention rate
Class of 2022 Postsecondary Retention Rate for Ayers Scholars at Legacy High Schools combined*
*The Ayers Scholars Program uses student academic transcripts, college access counselor verification, enrollment verifications, and the National Student Clearinghouse to track the share of students who successfully complete a credential. Retention and completion data represents the percentage of each cohort that are either still enrolled or who have completed a credential.
AYERS SUCCESS METRICS:
EVERY STUDENT CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
At the Ayers Foundation Trust, our goal is to help every student reach his or her highest level of desired academic achievement. Success looks different for every student, and for that reason, the Ayers Scholars Program includes postsecondary enrollment, military enlistment, and students waiting for available space at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology when calculating our Ayers Success Metrics. We are able to collect this data due to the strong ties college access counselors have with their students. The Ayers Scholars Program’s ability to collect this level of student information is unique and not found in other statewide college access and success programs.
0
Ayers Legacy Schools Combined
76% of graduating seniors enrolled in postsecondary after high school
0
2021 Expansion Schools Combined
66% of graduating seniors enrolled in postsecondary after high school
Data includes 4-year universities, community colleges, technical colleges, and for-profit institutions, military enlistment, and students waiting for available space at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology.
A Breakdown of the Ayers Success Metric for all Legacy Schools Combined
The Ayers Scholars Program uses student academic transcripts, enrollment verifications, and the National Student Clearinghouse to track the share of students who successfully implement a postsecondary plan. The Ayers Foundation Trust’s success metrics will vary slightly from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s (THEC) college-going rate due to the Ayers Scholars Program counselors’ ability to track students as they implement their postsecondary plans. Similar to THEC, we include 4-year universities, community colleges, technical colleges, and for-profit institutions in our success metric. Due to our counselors’ relationships with students, we are also able to capture military enlistment, TCAT waitlisted students, and enrollment to institutions that do not report to the National Student Clearinghouse. Every student who receives a diploma from a participating high school is counted in our numbers. Overall success metrics may not equal the sum of the individual postsecondary sectors due to rounding. Our goal is to help every student reach his or her highest level of desired academic achievement.
Class of 2023 Ayers Success Metrics in Expansion Counties*
*includes postsecondary enrollment, military enlistment, and students waiting for available space at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology when calculating our Ayers Success Metrics. We are able to collect this data due to the strong ties college access counselors have with their students. The Ayers Scholars Program’s ability to collect this level of student information is unique and not found in other statewide college access and success programs.
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