“Some say education is expensive. We say it is priceless.”
In 2005, the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation was formed to provide funding to the Clinton City and Anderson County School Systems. The members of the Chamber recognized public funding is unable to fulfill all the school systems' needs. The Chamber established the Education Foundation to create and sustain a superior educational system for the students and teachers. Since it's inception, The Education Foundation has presented Mini-Grants to Clinton City and Anderson County System teachers, presented the first ACES (Anderson County Exemplary Students Program) Scholarships in 2007.
Anderson County Exemplary Student Program
The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Anderson County School System to sponsor the Anderson County Exemplary Student Program. The concept was introduced March 13, 2003 at the Annual Banquet of the Chamber and was unanimously endorsed by the Anderson County School Board at its meeting the same night.
The first scholarships were presented to the graduating seniors in the Anderson County classes of 2007. Beginning in the Fall of 2003, ninth graders in Anderson County schools were encouraged to meet higher academic standards during their high school careers - and have the “carrot” of this new scholarship program.
ACES seeks to promote the following goals:
• Encourage students to reach for higher academic standards by taking more rigorous classes during high school.
• Develop well-trained, reliable, and responsible employees for area businesses.
• Enhance economic development in the area.
• Provide scholarship opportunities for students who might not otherwise attend college.
• Promote community-minded individuals.
The program will provide scholarships for college and vocational education. Students who meet the ACES standards all four years of high school will be eligible for the scholarships.
Among the standards for the program will be:
• Score 19 or higher on the A.C.T. for English, Math, and Reading.
• Earn 18 credits in high school for English (4), Math (4), Science (4), Social Studies (3), Technical or Foreign Language (2), and Computer-Related Courses (1).
• Students also must meet specific academic standards in those classes. The standards are a 2.75 grade point avaerage in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies if any are Honors or AP classes and a 3.0 average if they are not; a B or higher for the technical classes and C or higher for foreign language; and a C or better for computer-related courses.
In addition to the academic standards, students must also:
• Maintain an attendance of 95 percent or better for each year.
• Perform 20 hours of community service per year.
• Participate in one career planning assessment before graduation.
• Be in good standing throughout the high school career (suspension from school results in removal from the program for that year).
For more information please contact the chamber office at 457-2559.
