Jean Massey
Executive Director Ascent to 55%
Mississippi Scholars
Two recognition tracks for Mississippi high school students—one built on a rigorous academic core, one pairing academics with career and technical education.
A rigorous high school curriculum recognizing academic preparation, service, attendance, and achievement.
The following Mississippi Scholars curriculum applies to seniors in school year 2023 and later.
Curriculum
- English Language Arts4 credits
- English I (1 credit)
- English II (1 credit)
- Two additional English credits above English II that are approved for admission to an Institution of Higher Learning (IHL)
- Mathematics4 credits
- Algebra I (1 credit)
- Algebra II (1 credit)
- Geometry (1 credit)
- One Carnegie Unit of comparable rigor and content from mathematics courses approved for Mississippi Scholars credit
- Science4 credits
- Biology (1 credit)
- Chemistry (1 credit)
- Two Carnegie Units of comparable rigor and content above Biology I and Chemistry; Physics I is preferred
- One Carnegie Unit may come from a Career and Technical Education course
- Social Studies4 credits
- World Geography (1/2 credit)
- Mississippi Studies (1/2 credit)
- World History (1 credit)
- U.S. History (1 credit)
- U.S. Government (1/2 credit)
- Economics (1/2 credit)
- Arts1 credit
- One Carnegie Unit of visual and performing arts meeting the requirements for high school graduation
- Or two units completing the Computer Graphics Technology I and II course sequence
- Advanced Electives2 credits
- Two foreign language credits, a fifth mathematics credit, or a fifth science credit of higher rigor
- Any combination of advanced-level coursework above the required Carnegie units listed in the Mississippi Department of Education Secondary Course Manual, including Advanced Placement (AP), Academic or Career and Technical Credit, International Baccalaureate (IB), or Advanced International Certificate of Education courses
- Completion of any two-year Career and Technical course may count as one unit
- Technology or Computer Science1 credit
No additional course requirements.
Recognition Criteria
- 80 hours of community or volunteer service during high school for seniors graduating in 2022 or later
- Minimum ACT composite score of 19
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation—one each from the principal, guidance counselor, and a business or community leader—for students with more than four in-school suspensions
- 95% school attendance during four years of high school
- No out-of-school suspension
Graduation Requirements
Mississippi Scholars must also complete all remaining state-mandated high school graduation requirements.
Advanced Placement courses may be substituted in Mississippi Scholars subject areas. Dual-credit and online courses are acceptable.
A high school curriculum combining academics, career and technical education, service, and workplace readiness.
Curriculum
- English4 credits
No additional course requirements.
- Mathematics3 credits
- Algebra I
- Mathematics above Algebra I; the course must relate to the student's program of study
- Geometry is mandatory
- Science3 credits
- Biology I
- Two courses above Biology I
- Social Studies3 credits
- American History
- Government
- Mississippi Studies
- Technology or Computer1 credit
No additional course requirements.
- Arts1 credit
No additional course requirements.
- Electives2 credits
- Students must take four Career and Technical Education (CTE) credits in the same area as their program of study
- Students must have at least 21 credits and may follow the 21- or 24-credit route, allowing time for an internship
- These requirements are non-negotiable
Recognition Criteria
- 80 hours of community or volunteer service during high school for seniors graduating in 2022 or later
- Minimum ACT composite score of 19 or minimum ASVAB overall score of 36
- Silver Level WorkKeys required
- Minimum 2.5 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- 95% school attendance during high school
- No out-of-school suspension
Industry certification assessment is encouraged but not required.
Graduation Requirements
Mississippi Scholars Tech Master students must also complete all remaining state-mandated high school graduation requirements.
Dual-credit courses are acceptable, with flexibility to tailor coursework to the student's area of interest.
Program Contact