MNPS launches Promise and Scholars summer program with nearly 18,000 enrolled

Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools officials said the districtlaunches its Promise and Scholars summer program this week, with roughly 17,870 students enrolled and more than 1,100 staff across 57 sites.

Dr. Battle said the program will run from Thursday through June 30 and will offer a full-day schedule for rising kindergarteners through eighth-graders, a half-day schedule for rising ninth through 12th graders, and credit recovery for high school students who need additional credits to graduate. "The Promise and Scholars summer program offers students a fun, free, and academically enriching experience this summer," Dr. Battle said.

The announcement matters because the district is providing both academic and enrichment services at scale over the month of June. Officials said more than 4,120 enrolled students are third-graders; the district will continue to reserve third-grade spots for any student who needs promotion to fourth grade next year. "We will also be offering credit recovery for high school students who need additional credits to graduate," Dr. Battle added.

District staff described the funding mix for the program as leveraging state grant funds and support from Metro government and the mayor and council, together with ESSER funds and proposed operating budget investments. Dr. Battle thanked the transportation team and Nikkita Watson, director of family and community partnerships, for organizing logistics and noted the program places MNPS among the largest Tennessee districts operating summer programming during June.

Officials asked families to check bus-stop information and site assignments before the first day. The district did not announce any new permanent program expansions at the meeting; the report was presented as an operational update rather than a board action.