Partnership Members:

The New Hampshire Department of Education (NHDOE) is proud to partner with the New Hampshire Forum on the Future (NHFOF) and the New Hampshire College and University Council (NHCUC) to administer the New Hampshire Scholars Program. This Program encourages students to take a rigorous Core Course of Study to prepare them for a future that will demand strong and flexible thinking skills - whether they decide to start their careers after they graduate or continue their education beyond high school. For those who are thinking about going to college, solid preparation is essential.

The New Hampshire Scholars Program is consistent with high school redesign efforts in the State and the Department's commitment to work toward supporting the needs and aspirations of each child personally, physically, socially, and academically. The Department continues to advance the Follow The Child initiative wherein districts, schools, and teachers commit to a personalized education.

Furthermore, New Hampshire's Minimum Standards for School Approval require rigorous teaching and learning standards that necessitate the rethinking of the traditional high school structure. These standards call for learning opportunities that are consistent with grade level expectations, yet are offered within a flexible framework that offer a range and variety of experiences.

Concurrently, the New Hampshire Department of Education has issued a vision document on high school redesign to support schools as they look to implement the new standards. The vision document describes the necessity of each student receiving a rigorous and relevant Core Course of Study so that they will be better prepared to deal with the requirements of 21st century citizenship and careers.

The intent of the New Hampshire Scholars 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. The New Hampshire Scholars Program involves school and community partners to emphasize the relationship of academic preparation to options after high school. Graduating competent students not only benefits our society, but also better prepares students for future careers and citizenship.

These efforts speak to New Hampshire's commitment to increasing the rigor of course completion and improving post-secondary education and employer engagement. The State is committed to supporting New Hampshire's economy by preparing a better-educated workforce. The New Hampshire Department of Education is committed to the New Hampshire Scholars Program and will work in a collaborative manner to promote the creation of a system which connects the multitude of programs focused on transitioning competent learners ready for the 21st century into an accessible network. The New Hampshire Scholars Program will strengthen New Hampshire's vision for the future.