Memphis-Shelby County Schools' new partnership with tnAchieves, MemACCESS, is set to launch in person this upcoming fall school year.¶
MemACCESS will bring college access support directly to students across the district by connecting them with coaches, clear next steps, and other supports designed to help with the transition from high school to college to career.¶
“We have to have partnerships like this to help us, to support us, around how we better support our students and our community,” Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Rodrick Richmond said. “The more educated our populace, the more we're going to see a return on investment when it comes to bettering our community.”¶
tnAchieves President and CEO Krissy DeAlejandro said Shelby County’s college-going rate is about 50 percent, and MemACCESS aims to help increase those numbers with its student support. She said tnAchieves wants to work alongside school counselors, principals, assistant principals, and teachers so more students find their way into high-quality post-secondary opportunities.¶
“I think what we’re finding is that it’s really an all-hands-on-deck situation at the moment as we think about that transition into postsecondary and we’re happy to be at the table,” DeAlejandro said.¶
Support in Every Step
Heading into this upcoming school year, one MemACCESS coach will be embedded per three schools within a select 15 Shelby County high schools that currently have a college-going rate of less than 40 percent.¶
Within the program, coaches will review their school’s high school senior roster and schedule meetings with students to ensure they have support, assistance, and a path as they graduate. DeAlejandro said these meetings are part of the program’s proactive model, so students can walk through different careers and/or other options with their coach.¶
While MemACCESS is designed for students exiting high school, she says the program welcomes any student considering their post-secondary options, as well as college students who later want to reconnect with their coach.¶
“I would argue every student needs support along the way, but our vulnerable student populations need additional layers of support,” DeAlejandro said.¶
The program will also prioritize student comprehension of Tennessee Promise, college, and scholarship applications. “Meeting students where they are” and building relationships while also walking them through opportunities and options are among the program’s driving goals, DeAlejandro said.¶
“We really just want to be a partner, and students know that they have someone to come to if they want to talk about career exploration.”¶
Memphis-Shelby County Schools' first day of classes begins August 3. DeAlejandro said she and the program’s coaches look forward to actually being in the schools and working with the district’s students soon.¶
“There’s so much talent in those school buildings, and we just want to work to partner with people who care deeply about students like we do to get students to the next step,” DeAlejandro said.¶
