What We Are Learning

What We’re Learning: Check Out Our Nashville Public Charter Schools Update for 2018-2019

Nashville will truly thrive when every student, no matter where they live in our community, has access to a high-quality school and an outstanding education.  As a city, we have not yet accomplished this goal. But for some Nashville families, the best possible educational fit for their student comes in the form of a public charter school.  When a city can provide several...Read More

Junior Achievement – Empowering Students to Own Their Economic Success

Since 1919, Junior Achievement has sought to empower students across the nation with the skills they’ll need to thrive in a global economy, providing lessons on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness through engaging, hands-on activities.   Today, Junior Achievement reaches approximately 4.9 million students per year – from kindergarten through 12th grade – in all...Read More

Nashville’s Third Grade Literacy Challenge: Where do we go from here?

In 1993, in its education report card, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce named literacy as a significant issue plaguing Metro Public Schools. 26 years later, this warning has snowballed into what can only be called a public crisis. In the year 2019, seven out of ten third-graders in Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) cannot read at grade level – approximately 4,500 children in total....Read More

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee High School Bigs Literacy Program

Through the work of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBS), local children in need of guidance and support are provided with strong and enduring one-on-one mentoring relationships. One of BBBS’ school-based programs, the High School Bigs Literacy Program, gives at-risk elementary students the opportunity to be mentored by an exceptional high school student while also working on...Read More

Horizons at USN: Providing High-Quality, Engaging Summer Opportunities to Help Close the Achievement Gap

When we think of summer, we think of longer days and school-free schedules. But for too many students, summer can also mean learning loss— particularly for low-income students.  Each summer, Horizons provides critical enrichment programs and camps that allow participants to continue their learning even after the school year ends. By providing academic instruction during the summer...Read More