LEAD Public Schools Celebrates 10th Annual Senior Signing Day
Today, LEAD Academy High School and LEAD Southeast High School seniors announced their college and career pathways in front of nearly 3,000 students, alumni, teachers, family members, and supporters from across the Nashville community in an emotional and inspirational Senior Signing Day celebration.
“Many of our seniors have attended LEAD Senior Signing Day since they were in 5th grade,” said LaVoe Mulgrew, Head of High Schools for LEAD Public Schools. “Today was their moment to shine in front of their families, friends, and the entire LEAD network. Senior Signing Day is the culmination of our seniors’ efforts, and we are very proud of what they have accomplished.”
Senior Signing Day spotlights all seniors, many of whom have overcome great obstacles and are first-generation college attendees, by celebrating their hard work over the last four years to be ready for college and ready for life. More than 86% of LEAD students are students of color, 40% are considered economically disadvantaged, 30% are English Language Learners, and 11% have disabilities.
LEAD Public Schools’ Class of 2023 represents more than 20 different countries of origin and 16 languages spoken across both high schools.
“We are so proud of each of our seniors— they have put in a tremendous amount of work to get to this day and to make this decision about what’s next,” said LEAD Public Schools CEO Dwayne Tucker. “Every single day, our focus at LEAD is preparing students to be ready for college and ready for life. Senior Signing Day is a special opportunity for all of our students and extended LEAD family to cheer on our seniors as they declare they are ready for the next step.”
Each student participated in an intensive college seminar to determine the college, university, or career pathway that is the best fit for them. At LEAD, it’s tradition to keep your final college or career choice a secret until Senior Signing Day each year. From Vanderbilt University to the Army National Guard to Nashville State, LEAD’s Class of 2023 proudly declared where they plan to go after graduation.
To date, LEAD Academy High School and LEAD Southeast High School seniors have earned more than $4 million in scholarships.
