Middleton High, Ayers Foundation Target College Barriers
The Middleton High Ayers Foundation partnership is getting a fresh look. Leaders from the Ayers Foundation recently toured Middleton High School and Bolivar Central High School to work with Hardeman County Schools on the obstacles that keep some students from going on to college, technical school or a career after graduation.
The visit was led by Janet Ayers, chairman of the Ayers Foundation Trust, along with members of the foundation’s leadership and its regional support team, according to a report from The Magnolia Post.
What the Middleton High Ayers Foundation visit covered
The group toured both school buildings and then sat down with school and district administrators and the Ayers counselors who work inside the schools. The goals were to:
- Pinpoint challenges and barriers that may keep students from reaching postsecondary opportunities
- Review the practices already in place at Middleton and Bolivar Central
- Share perspectives between the foundation, school leaders and counselors
- Find practical ways to strengthen support as students prepare for life after graduation
Postsecondary options in this case include four-year and two-year college, technical education and direct career pathways.
How the Ayers Scholars Program works
Through its Ayers Scholars Program, the foundation places counselors who work with students on planning their futures. They help students map out the steps toward their education and career goals, from choosing a path to completing applications and other paperwork along the way.
For a small, rural district like Hardeman County, that one-on-one guidance can make a real difference for students who may be the first in their family to attend college or a technical program.
Superintendent: “a path forward after high school”
Hardeman County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christy Smith said the district wants every student to see a path forward after high school and to have the support needed to pursue it. She said the partnership helps the district look beyond the barriers students face and work together on practical solutions that better prepare students for college, technical training and the workforce.
The district also thanked the Ayers Foundation for its continued commitment to Hardeman County students and its willingness to work alongside school and district leaders.
Why it matters for Middleton families
Middleton sits just north of Walnut across the Tennessee line, and many Middleton High families have close ties to Tippah County. Seniors there are in the thick of planning season right now. Tennessee Promise, the state’s last-dollar scholarship for community and technical college, had its application deadline on Nov. 2, and FAFSA and admissions work continues through the winter.
Parents of Middleton High students who have questions about college or career planning can reach out to the school’s Ayers counselor or the counseling office for help.
Related: Middleton Basketball Sweeps Hornsby in Road Doubleheader
Source: The Magnolia Post
