Few out-of-zone students enrolled in Hamilton County School’s Future Ready Institutes

Board member Kathy Lennon, left, listens to schools superintendent Bryan Johnson discuss a state partnership zone for low performing schools during a meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Education on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Board member Kathy Lennon, left, listens to schools superintendent Bryan Johnson discuss a state partnership zone for low performing schools during a meeting of the Hamilton County Board of Education on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn.

By Meghan Mangrum August 13, 2018 5 min read

STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FUTURE READY INSTITUTES

Brainerd High School› Institute of Law, First Responders and Forensic Science: 36› Institute of Aviation: 54Central High School › Institute of Advanced Manufacturing: 30East Hamilton High School› TIE Institute: Tinker, Innovate, Engineer: 45› Bryan College Institute of Leadership, Business and Marketing: 35East Ridge High School› Institute of Building and Design: 120Hixson High School› Institute for Integrative Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources: 64› Institute for Health Careers and Medical Advancement: 118› Institute for Future Business Leaders and Owners: 62The Howard School› Erlanger Institute for Healthcare and Innovation: 50› Institute of Hospitality and Tourism: 100Lookout Valley High School› Institute of Digital Media Production: 36Ooltewah High School› Institute of International Baccalaureate Studies: 100› Institute of Architecture and Engineering Design: 48Red Bank High School› Institute of Computer Sciences and Engineering: 45Sequoyah High School› Institute of Industrial Manufacturing: 30Signal Mountain High School› Institute of International Baccalaureate Studies: 200Soddy-Daisy High School› Institute of Start-Ups and Web Design: 71Tyner Academy› EPB Institute of Technology and Security: 25› Institute of Teaching and Learning: 19Total student enrollment as of August 13, 2018: 1,288, according to Hamilton County Schools

With the beginning of the new school year in Hamilton County last week came the launch of one of the district’s most prized new initiatives – the Future Ready Institutes.

As of Monday, 1,288 high school students had signed up for one of the 20 institutes embedded in traditional high schools across the county.

Despite Hamilton County Schools leaders’ and board members’ assertions that the institutes will help increase diversity by allowing students not zoned for those schools to attend an institute, only about 70 students – some 5 percent – are enrolled out of zone.

The catch? Getting them there.