Nashville Diploma Plus High SchoolJill Bates, Lead Administrator

160 Rural AvenueNashville, TN 37209615.352.3137 Main

615.352.3911 Guidance615.352.5703 Fax

mnps.org/our schools/diploma plus

Diploma Plus Network ServicesAs the developer of Diploma Plus, Commonwealth Corporation (CommCorp), a Massachusetts-chartered non-profit organization, continuously works with DP schools to refine the model, supports program implementation at all sites, and convenes the DP regional and national networks.

National OfficeDiploma Plus National and New English Commonwealth Corporation: 617-727-8158

DP Students Experience:• Graduating prepared for both college and career• Opportunities to accelerate their education• Academic connections to the real world• Supportive relationships with caring adults

DP Students:• Have been failed by a traditional education system that did not adequately nurture their gifts, curiosity, intelligence, and power as learners.

• Are over-aged and under-credited, been unsuccessful in middle or high school, or desire an engaging alternative high school experience.

• Demonstrate a wealth of creativity, honesty, courage, and hopefulness in pursuit of their high school diplomas.

Transforming Students’ Experiences

NOW and for theFUTURE

Admission:

To enroll in Nashville Diploma Plus High School, a student must:

• Complete the application, which may be downloaded at (link to application). Applications are also available at the school, located at 160 Rural Avenue, or through the MNPS Customer Service Center, located in the Metro Schools Administrative Building. Applications should be submitted to the MNPS Customer Service Center, 2601 Bransford Avenue, Nashville, TN 37204.

• Complete a personal interview with Diploma Plus administration. This interview should include the student and his/her family or other supportive adult.

• Demonstrate a reading level at or above 6th grade.

Space is limited and applications are evaluated in the order they are received.

Nashville Diploma Plus High School is a Metropolitan Nashville Public School that is supported through the Alternative High School Initiative.

DP schools are built on fourkey essentials:

• Performance-Based Approach to Curriculum and Instruction, Assessment, and Promotion. Curriculum is built from the DP competencies and state and local curriculum frameworks. Student progress is based upon completion of authentic performance and project-based tasks.

• Supportive School Culture. Diploma Plus schools focus on developing and maintaining a positive and supportive school culture that is rigorous, student centered and culturally responsive.

• Future Focus. DP schools implement a multi-year sequence of career and college exploration activities and services that are embedded in advisories, classroom activities, and out-of-school time.

• Effective Supports. DP schools possess a variety of organizational features and management systems that support implementation of the DP model and the delivery of a high quality educational program.

Diploma Plus’ Path To Success:

Diploma Plus schools have three phases-the Foundation, Presentation, and Plus Phase. In all three phases students meet content objectives through clearly defined competency expectations while participating in real-world experiences and building relationships with caring adults.

The Foundation Phase focuses on:• eighth-grade prioritized standards, career an college exploration activities, and advisories.

The Presentation Phase highlights:• tenth-grade prioritized standards, college exploration, job shadows, Gateway portfolios and presentations.

The Plus Phase emphasizes:• post-secondary transitional experiences that include: community-based projects, independent academic work, participation in small learning communities, relevant internships, and completing post-secondary courses.

DP is an alternative in the best sense of the word. Its role is to transform our students’ lives from what they’ve been told they can’t be to what we know they can and will be.