Early College Business Program Coming to McGavock High School

McGavock High School is launching an Early College Business program and will begin enrolling students this fall for the program, which will start in January 2026.

Early College programs provide students with the opportunity to earn an associate degree or college credits from Nashville State Community College in addition to their high school diploma from Metro Nashville Public Schools.

The McGavock Early College Business program will create more access and opportunities for students while still in high school to pursue careers in high-demand business fields, such as business administration, finance, economics, management and marketing, and hospitality management.

MNPS Superintendent Adrienne Battle and Nashville State Community College President Shanna L. Jackson announced the new program during an event at McGavock on Friday.

“Our Early College partnership with Nashville State has helped to put hundreds of students on the pathway to success in college, career, and life,” Dr. Battle said. “We’re excited to extend this opportunity to McGavock students and watch them make the most of it.”

“The new business-focused Early College program will complement the successful dual enrollment English courses that have been popular among students looking to get ahead,” Dr. Jackson said. “As committed partners with MNPS to improving college and career readiness for all students, we are thrilled to create and extend the runways for our students to succeed and take flight.”

The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce will be a community partner in the new program.

“The Chamber is proud to partner with MNPS and Nashville State on a program that equips students with both an associate degree and workforce-ready skills before they graduate high school,” said Stephanie Coleman, President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “This innovative program will prepare students for their next chapter beyond high school, while engaging with key business partners to ensure the skills needed in the workplace are built into training from the very start.”

McGavock will become the sixth MNPS zoned high school with an Early College program embedded in the school in partnership with Nashville State, joining Whites Creek, Glencliff, Cane Ridge, Maplewood, and Pearl-Cohn. Additionally, Early College High School, a National Blue Ribbon School, offers an immersive college experience at Nashville State’s White Bridge campus.

Real Results, Real Impact

At Whites Creek High School, 21 students from the inaugural embedded Early College program cohort - including the valedictorian and salutatorian - graduated in May 2025 with both a high school diploma and an associate degree from Nashville State. Funded through a generous grant from the PNC Foundation, this achievement demonstrates the power of strategic investment in education and student potential.

At Early College High School, 32 students graduated in May with both a diploma and a degree.

Launched in early 2020, the Better Together partnership between Metro Nashville Public Schools and Nashville State Community College is transforming postsecondary success for students in Davidson County. This innovative collaboration aims to prepare high school graduates to attend and complete college, and the results are already exceeding expectations.

Photo courtesy of Metro Nashville Public Schools