Metro Nashville's high schools have taken another big step into the future, after Ford Motor Company Fund named Nashville a Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL) Hub. Nashville will offer coaching, mentoring and professional development to other area communities seeking to develop business and community partnerships, and a new master plan for innovative learning.

“There is a dramatic transformation happening in Metro Nashville’s high schools and we are excited our work is attracting national attention," said Jay Steele, associate superintendent for high schools. "It is an honor to be named a Ford Next Generation Learning Hub.”

Ford has a long history of supporting education and other organizations in the Nashville community. Over the last four years Ford has collaborated with Metro Nashville Public Schools, Alignment Nashville, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the PENCIL Foundation to create and launch a district-wide high school redesign model.

Ford NGL Essential Practices have served as the foundation for the district’s five-year master plan for high school improvement. More than 100 businesses, including Ford Motor Credit Company, have pledged to support and engage with the Academies of Nashville initiative.

“Our founder, Henry Ford, built an entire industry from his relentless focus on innovation,” said Cheryl Carrier, Ford NGL program director with the Ford Motor Company Fund. “More than 15 communities across the country have adopted the Ford NGL Framework and have committed to redesign their high schools and take American ingenuity to the next level. We are excited to deepen our partnership with the Nashville community and look forward to expanding the innovative work that is taking place in Nashville."

The vision of Ford NGL is to mobilize educators, employers and community leaders to educate and empower a new generation of students. These young people will graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in the 21st century. Ford NGL often employs innovations such as career academies and small learning communities. They emphasize teamwork and problem solving skills to show students the connection between success in school and success in the workplace.

By motivating students to excel in the classroom and strive toward future success, Ford NGL can deliver lower dropout rates, more students enrolling in college and a workforce that is fully prepared for a demanding global economy.

Ford and Nashville area Ford dealers also are investing $10,000 to support the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Alignment Nashville in their new role as a Ford NGL Hub. The funds will be used for planning, training and preparation for the continued development of the academies. This investment follows other major investments in the Nashville area including support of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Nashville Zoo and Hands On Nashville. Since 2003 Ford and its dealers have invested more than $6 million in the Nashville community.