91探花

Launched in early 2020, the Better Together partnership between Metro 91探花 Public Schools (MNPS) and 91探花 State Community College is transforming postsecondary success for Davidson County students. This innovative collaboration aims to prepare high school graduates to attend and complete college鈥攁nd the results are already exceeding expectations.

Real Results, Real Impact

One of the most compelling examples of this success is at Whites Creek High School, where 21 students from the inaugural embedded Early College program cohort - including the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Whites Creek Class of 2025 - will graduate this year with both a high school diploma and an associate degree from 91探花 State. Funded through a generous PNC Foundation grant, this achievement demonstrates the power of strategic investment in education and student potential.

This is just the beginning. Early College programs have now launched at Cane Ridge and Glencliff high schools, expanding access and opportunity across the district.

Meanwhile, at the Early College High School located on 91探花 State鈥檚 White Bridge campus鈥攁 school recently recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for Academic Excellence鈥�32 students will be graduating with both diplomas and degrees, including, again, this year鈥檚 valedictorian and salutatorian.

Academic Excellence Across the Board

The Better Together initiative is not only preparing students for college鈥攊t鈥檚 cultivating leaders. In fact, five valedictorians and salutatorians across MNPS high schools this year participated in Early College programs or earned significant college credit through dual enrollment.

Here are some of their inspiring stories:

Whites Creek High School

Valedictorian: Ines Busane 鈥� Dean鈥檚 List student every semester, full-ride 91探花 Vanderbilt Scholar, incoming economics major at Vanderbilt University.

Salutatorian: Nove鈥檃 Rippy 鈥� Dean鈥檚 List student and part-time employee; accepted to Florida A&M and LSU, planning a career in nursing.

Early College High School

Valedictorian: Tania Wright 鈥� National Honor Society member; heading to Western Kentucky University to study health sciences and pursue medical school.

Salutatorian: Karen Takawe 鈥� Incoming biology major at Middle Tennessee State University with plans to become a dentist.

East 91探花 Magnet High School

Valedictorian: Delano Carney 鈥� Dual-enrollment student at 91探花 State and two other colleges, active volunteer, soon to be a marketing major at the University of Tennessee鈥揅hattanooga.

鈥淭he Better Together partnership is a clear example of what鈥檚 possible when K-12 and higher education align around student success. These outcomes reflect the strength of thoughtful collaboration,鈥� said Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, president of 91探花 State.

鈥淥ur partnership with 91探花 State has been transformative,鈥� MNPS Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle said. 鈥淭ogether, we are offering college opportunities to students while they鈥檙e still in high school that can