New Hampshire Scholars Program

The New Hampshire Scholars Program is a federally funded program developed and administered through a partnership between the New Hampshire College and University Council, the New Hampshire Forum on the Future, the New Hampshire Department of Education, and the National State Scholars Initiative Network.

The intent of the Program is to promote collaboration between educators, policy makers, and business and industry leaders to deliver the message to students and parents of the critical need for increased academic rigor for successful transition to post-secondary and career options. Since it is essential to become a State Scholar at the beginning of high school, the program pairs business leaders with classes of 8th grade students prior to the selection of their high school courses.

Business leaders present the students with a powerful presentation that provides the rationale for the recommendation that students take a more rigorous Core Course of Study in high school. Students will contract to the program by means of a 4-year planner - a personalized education plan - to complete the recommended Core Course of Study.

New Hampshire Scholars Day

On May 25, 2011, New Hampshire Scholars graduating seniors were recognized at the Capitol Building. Governor John H. Lynch and Commissioner Virginia Barry, congratulated students for their remarkable achievement. Governor Lynch proclaimed May 25, 2011 as New Hampshire Scholars Day. Thirty-eight of the forty-three high schools attended the ceremony with nearly 1,500 students, parents and school administrators in attendance.

This year more than fifty high schools and 2,000 seniors will be recognized at the Statehouse on May 23, 2012.

• View pictures of the event at www.flickr.com/photos/nh_scholars/sets/.

• www.nhscholars.org