Better Together

Better Together: MNPS and Nashville State Community College

Dual Enrollment, Scholarship and Early College Options for Students

Better Together is a joint venture between Metro Nashville Public Schools and Nashville State Community College to create more postsecondary opportunities for MNPS students by aligning career pathways and designing seamless transitions from high school to college and careers.

Better Together ensures any MNPS graduate can succeed at Nashville State and beyond. MNPS graduates go to Nashville State more than any other college. MNPS and Nashville State are truly Better Together when we work hand in hand to meet the needs of Nashville’s students and our city’s growing economy.

Better Together Programs

Nashville GRAD

The GRAD - or Getting Results by Advancing Degrees - program aims to remove non-academic barriers to college retention and completion by providing scholarships to eligible students from Nashville and Davidson County to pay for textbooks, transportation, industry certification fees, and other costs. Students also receive direct academic advising and career development assistance.

With support from the Mayor’s Office, Metro Council, and community partners, Nashville GRAD students’ two-year graduation rate from Nashville State is nearly twice that of other Davidson County students. Gateway to GRAD programming started in the summer of 2021 to help new MNPS graduates bridge the gap between high school and college and get a head start on Nashville State classes.

Dual Enrollment

MNPS juniors and seniors can take college classes at Nashville State and earn early college credit and potentially industry credentials though the Dual Enrollment program.

Learn more about the possibilities, requirements and application deadlines on our early postsecondary options webpage and on Nashville State's site.  

Early College

Metro Schools Early College programs, in partnership with Nashville State, give students the opportunity to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate's degree, or college credits towards an associate's degree.

The first program, Early College High School, has been located on Nashville State’s White Bridge campus since 2006 and enrolls nearly 200 students.

Thanks to a $306,000 grant from the PNC Foundation, the latest Early College program was announced in October 2021 and will give 40 Whites Creek High School students opportunities to obtain credits toward a Nashville State associate degree while they are fulfilling requirements for a high school diploma. College classes will be held on the Whites Creek campus, where students also will learn about financial literacy education tools and resources. 

Early College will kick off at Glencliff High School during the 2024-2025 school year.

Considering College

A new website, Nashville Goes to College, offers a wealth of information, tips and student stories about considering, applying and going to college. 

Creating Opportunities for Students 

We will continue to explore additional pathways for our students and graduates. We know that creating greater opportunities and outcomes is better for Nashville’s young people and better for our community.