Ayers Scholars Programs
The Ayers Foundation Scholars Program began at Riverside High School in 1999 with the vision of making higher education more accessible to young people in West Tennessee’s Decatur and Henderson counties. It was created to financially assist small-community students continue their education, through its own scholarships and with support in obtaining other sources of scholarship monies.
Eligibility and Guidelines
The Ayers Foundation Scholars Program is available to all students who attend and graduate from Riverside High School. Students will be required to meet the following requirements:
- Students must NOT have a criminal record involving substance abuse and must stay drug-free while in the program.
- Students will be required to complete an Ayers Scholars Program application and 20 hours of Community Service (5 hours per year).
- Students and their parents will be required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) each year the student is in school. Timely submission of the FASFA is mandatory for participation in the Ayers Foundation Scholars Program.
- Students must attend a postsecondary school by the fall semester following graduation. Students may choose to use their scholarships at a U.S. university, community college, or state-run vocational/technical institution.
Responsibilities of Recipients
Students that participate in the Ayers Foundation Scholars Program will be responsible for the following:
- Must stay drug-free and maintain good moral character
- Must be a full time student, in good standing with their postsecondary institution
- Must pass 24 semester hours each year
- Must apply each year for a renewal award.
Awards
Every graduating high school student at Riverside High School can receive up to $4000 annually for up to four years. The amount of money awarded is need-based and is determined after all other sources of scholarships and financial aid have been awarded. Students will be required to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ ) each year the student is in school. All applications for financial assistance are reviewed on an annual basis.
School Contacts
For information at Riverside High School, contact:
Brianna Morton, Career Counselor or Heather McCarter, Financial Aid Coordinator
4250 Hwy 641 South, Decaturville TN 38329
731.852.4154 Phone ~ 731.852.2339 Fax
brianna.morton@theayersfoundation.org or heather.mccarter@theayersfoundation.org
Education changes lives and communities. I've seen it happen. Continuing your education past high school has its challenges but the payoff is a higher quality of life that will stay with you forever."
Jim Ayers
Founder, Ayers Foundation
Decatur County Middle School serves students in grades 5-8 in Decatur County. Decatur County Middle School opened to students for the first time in August 2000. Decatur County Middle School was established as a consolidation of students from Decaturville Elementary and Parsons Junior High School. The school day at Decatur County Middle School is 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Approximately 450 students are presently enrolled at DCMS.
Decaturville Elementary School is a Pre-K through 5th grade school with approximately 317 students. Decaturville Elementary School is located in Decaturville, Tennessee and serves the southern portion of Decatur County. DES was built in 1959 and since that time has undergone many renovations and improvements. It currently has 16 classrooms within the main building, two separate buildings that house Pre-K, and a portable building that houses the school’s computer lab. Decaturville Elementary also has an extended school program that operates from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 a.m. and after school from 2:45 p.m.-5:30 p.m. during days that school is in session. The program is available during the summer and on days when school is not in session such as holidays, in-service/staff development days, and on days when early closings arise due to weather.
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Parsons Elementary School is a Pre-K-4 school located in Parsons, Tennessee. PES was originally built in the 1950’s as a first-fourth grade school. A kindergarten unit was added in the 1970’s. In 2000 PES underwent a major renovation which added 13 new classrooms to the original 9 classrooms. The school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m. At present there are approximately 460 students enrolled at Parsons Elementary School. An Extended School Program (ESP) is also available at Parsons Elementary from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. –5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday during the school year including school holidays, in-service/staff development days, inclement weather, and during summer break.
Decatur Co. Learning Center is located on the site of the former Parsons Junior High building. The learning center houses 3 of the 5 Pre-K programs in Decatur County. Each program has one teacher and assistant with no more than 20 students per program. For more information, contact Mrs. Amy Clenney at Amy.Clenney@tennk12.net.
Riverside High School was originally opened in 1965, but moved into a new facility in the fall of 2000 in Decaturville, Tennessee. RHS is a 9th-12th grade school which has thirty-three classrooms and 2 computer labs. Riverside High School operates on a modified block schedule with 9-week grading periods. Riverside offers a variety of courses including dual credit options and a well-established career-technical education program. RHS also has many well-established athletic programs including football, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, and soccer. There are approximately 473 students presently enrolled at Riverside.