Bolton High School has been awarded a grant by the Tennessee Department of Education to transform the school into nationally prominent AgriSTEM school.

Shelby County Schools (SCS) is one of 21 school districts to receive the grant as part of the new Innovative High School Models program. The goal of the program is to encourage strong, strategic and innovative partnerships between Tennessee public school districts, postsecondary education institutions and local employers to reimagine how to prepare students for success after high school.

The transformation of Bolton to a world-class AgriSTEM program is part of Superintendent Dr. Joris M. Ray’s Reimagining 901 plan that aims to transform the educational experience for students in every school community in SCS.

“We are very excited to receive this grant,” said Dr. Ray. “Students will gain a greater understanding of the science, technology, engineering, and math components of agriculture through in-class curriculum on hands-on experiences. We look forward to establishing a world-renowned AgriSTEM program at Bolton High.”

In total, $30 million in grant funding was awarded through a competitive application process, with individual grant awards from $750,000 to $2 million, to establish strategic partnerships that accelerate and increase student attainment of high-quality, in-demand postsecondary credentials.

The grant awardees were selected based off their commitment to rethink and revision high school educational models – from the use of time and space, entrance requirements, instructional practices and modes of learning, scheduling and mentorship and training opportunities available to students – to provide new and additional pathways for students to be prepared for postsecondary success.

This grant program is funded with federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funding. 

For additional information about Tennessee’s Career and Technical Education initiatives and programs, including Tennessee Pathways, click here.