NH Scholars Offers Students More Options

New Hampshire Scholars, a near decade-old program that has helped prepare thousands of high school graduates for college, is offering new pathways and options for those willing to take more challenging and rewarding course loads. Starting this fall, students can choose one of three options to pursue a NH Scholars diploma: the traditional NH Scholars path, a new STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) emphasis, and a new arts emphasis.

“College administrators have made it clear that our schools must encourage students to reach higher and take advantage of the challenging classes that are available at the high school level,” says Virginia Barry, commissioner of the NH Department of Education. “By offering NH Scholars pathways as a new incentive, I believe this will boost overall college acceptance numbers and result in a better trained workforce.”

The new options will require a minimum 3.2 grade point average (GPA) and classes focused on each specific path. The NH Scholars STEM emphasis will require four years of English, math and science, with an additional year of a STEM-related course,as well as social science and foreign language classes. The NH Scholars Arts emphasis will require the same basic standards as the traditional NH Scholars pathway, but students must also take two years from a visual, fine arts, performing arts or graphic design program. 

“Based on changes and challenges of our economy, along with a focus on STEM-related careers, we are adding to our content and intensity,” explains Scott Power, director of NH Scholars. “We know the business community needs graduates who are skilled in STEM programs.  But we also recognize the value of arts to our communities and our culture. Students deserve options.”

Any NH high school wishing to add the STEM pathway or Arts pathway can participate this year. STEM can be provided through a variety of classes.“This is terrific news for education in New Hampshire, and a wonderful incentive for students to recognize the opportunities they have in front of them,” says Tom Raffio, chair of the NH Board of Education. “We have the tools to prepare our young people for the future. The NH Scholars' new pathways will offer a compass to help them navigate to their long-term goals.”

Business leaders say they recognize the value of providing different options to students. “This more tightly aligns the needs of the business community with what is available in New Hampshire high schools,” says Jim Roche, president of the Business and Industry Association of NH. “When our pipeline of young talent stretches from high school through college graduation without interruption, New Hampshire businesses will benefit from a better prepared, properly trained workforce.”

The current NH Scholars program will remain and continue to require students to take four years of English and math, with three years of lab-science, 3.5 years of social science and two years of a foreign language to qualify for a NH Scholars medallion. There is no minimum GPA requirement for the traditional NH Scholars pathway.

“My career course ran from bank teller to bank president, and I learned that everyone’s path to success is different,” says Dianne Mercier, president of People’s United Bank. “We must encourage our young people to follow their dreams and we must provide the help they need to reach their destination.”

New Hampshire Scholars is operated as part of the NH College and University Council, a coalition of 17-member schools. For more information, visit nhscholars.org.