CLEVELAND, Tenn. (Oct. 30, 2008)—Students at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School (TCPS) are joining the more than 1,100 students in Cleveland and Bradley County registered as Tennessee Scholars. 

Tennessee Scholars is a rewards-and-recognition program coordinated by the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Bradley County and Cleveland City School Systems and local businesses to give students an edge with college and industry recruiters.

“We’re excited about this opportunity for our students,” Lauren Smith, guidance counselor, said at the introduction of the program to the students. “Our curriculum now meets the standards necessary for them to graduate as Tennessee Scholars. It’s a great program.”

Tennessee Christian Preparatory School is the first private school in Bradley County to qualify to participate in the Tennessee Scholars program. Students registered in the program are required to take more rigorous courses, including upper-level English, mathematics and science courses, as well as wellness, fine arts, foreign language and career technical education courses. Dual enrollment and online courses also qualify.

In addition, students must maintain a “C” average, have 95-percent attendance over four years, complete 20 hours of community service and have no out-of-school suspensions.

“The students at Tennessee Christian Preparatory School are a group of exceptional young people,” Kathi Douglas, TCPS principal, says. “They are exceptional in how they approach their lives as well as studies. . . . Our students face the same issues, controversies and elements of life that all young people face, but they do it with fervor for winning against the odds. They persevere when their counterparts may give up.”

Douglas continued, “The faculty encourages our students to strive beyond what has been given to them and to rise to what they can become. Our students race toward the ultimate goal of learning with enthusiasm.”

The principal noted that Tennessee Christian Preparatory School offers all of the necessary tools for their students to become Tennessee Scholars. 

“Our students have numerous opportunities during their academic career to fulfill obligations,” she explained. “TCPS offers an AP course in Environmental Science, along with requiring all students to complete four years of math, English and science. Community awareness is raised every year as the students prepare to participate in various community projects such as Operation Christmas Child and Environmental Cleanup, as well as reaching out to extended family members and making them an integral part of the TCPS experience. 

Douglas added that all TCPS students pursue the collegiate track and are required to pursue admittance to at least three colleges and universities. 

“Parental support is the backbone to the success of TCPS and our students,” she said. “With excellence as our standard, TCPS students rise above what is required and meet life with the grace and fervor needed to achieve success.”

Tennessee Scholars is a workforce development initiative of the Chamber of Commerce that has grown steadily as students and their parents realize the benefits of participating in the program.

“Statistics indicate that students who complete a more rigorous course of study in high school are more successful in college and the workforce,” Tennessee Scholar coordinator Sherry Crye explained. “Tennessee Scholars is an excellent rewards-and-recognition program that will prepare students to succeed and at the same time give us a means to respond to our business community’s need for a qualified workforce.”

She continued, “Members of our business community continue to provide leadership and incentives for students who stay on track and graduate on time as Tennessee Scholars. Employers prefer to hire individuals with strong academic backgrounds and good decision-making and critical-thinking skills to fill well-paying jobs. With the changes coming to our area in terms of new business and industry, a skilled workforce is necessary to fill those jobs. Existing employers also want to retain qualified employees. Tennessee Scholars have more options available to them.”

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