MIRA: Minority, immigrant, refugee & New American college access Program

Recognizing that Metro Nashville Public School’s English Language Learner student population has grown at a rapid pace, TCASN, through a Scarlett Family Foundation grant, set out to create a community-centered higher education opportunity for minority, immigrant, refugee and new American students.

Within MNPS, one in four students comes from a family where English is not the primary language spoken at home. Additionally, we know that many students within MNPS are under-documented or undocumented. These students face often insurmountable barriers to higher education due to our state charging these students out-of-state tuition rates and making them ineligible for state aid. 

MIRA partner organizations shared that many students do not see value in completing high school when the barriers to higher education and traditional employment are so high. MIRA programming had to address the value and costs of higher education. Stackable certification programs connect students to careers, and do not require out-of-state tuition.

Engaging TCAT Nashville and Catholic Charities at McGruder Family Resource Center, MIRA's inaugural certification class launched in 2023 - Building Trades/General Construction. MIRA partners noted this course option would appeal to students. Additionally, Building Trades certification does not require state board certification, which would limit the certification to U.S. citizens. A bilingual (Spanish/English) instructor was hired to best serve the student population.

In true collective impact form, as the main project of their course, the students built a storage shed for Catholic Charities - saving the organization $5,000+.