Project GRAD is a partnership between Public Schools and the Private Sector. GRAD is a K-16, national education reform model that takes a feeder schools approach. Across the nation, GRAD is in 213 schools. In Knoxville, GRAD is in 14 Knox County schools. The goals of Project GRAD are:

1. Increased academic achievement
2. Increased high school graduation rates
3. Increased college going rates and success.

Project GRAD Knoxville began on August 1, 2001 and is one of 12 Project GRAD sites nationwide (Please see Model Overview.)

When any District brings the GRAD model the following must precede it:

• City contacts GRAD USA to explore preconditions for new site expansion
• Feasibility visits/tours
• Acceptance of feeder approach
• Acceptance of GRAD’s mutually reinforcing elements:
  • Math
  • Literacy
  • Classroom Management
  • Social Services and Parental involvement
  • High school program (College readiness, scholarships/institutes, college support)
• Community/business Champion and District Champion (Superintendent or Curriculum Chief)
• Financial sustainability determined
• Stakeholder buy-in: feeder schools, School Board, community mobilizes
• Formal proposal submitted to GRAD USA, approved
• Independent non-profit established to oversee implementation of GRAD
• Local GRAD board appointed and Executive Director hired.

The GRAD model is a systems integrator and works within:

• Existing assets (students, administrators, teachers, staff)
• Formal reconstitution (i.e. Maynard/Green/AE) or informal reconstitution (IE. 45 administrator changes & much teacher turnover in 14 schools within 9 years)
• The district’s own curriculum