Purpose Built Schools Atlanta is excited to announce that the graduating class of 2022 of Carver STEAM Academy has earned more than $4.5 million in scholarships for continuing education–a record for the south Atlanta high school. The majority of graduating seniors received a scholarship to further their education.
The Class of 2022 is the first graduating class at Carver STEAM Academy to have experienced all four years under the operation of Purpose Built Schools. The nonprofit organization partnered with Atlanta Public Schools in 2018 to manage Carver STEAM, following Thomasville Heights Elementary School in 2016 and Price Middle School and Slater Elementary School in 2017.
“The Class of 2022 is full of some of the most hard-working, dedicated, intelligent, and passionate scholars I’ve ever known,” says Dr. Nikkita Warfield, Chief Academic Officer of Schools, Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. “These scholars are not only about to embark on the next phase of their lives by graduating from high school, but so many of them received some kind of scholarship to help pay for their education. This is more scholarship dollars in one year than Carver STEAM has ever secured in all previous years combined under the management of Purpose Built Schools.”
Earlier this year, Dr. Warfield challenged the Class of 2022 to set a goal of $2M in scholarships, which was double what classes had previously brought in at the high school. “I told them I would throw a big scholarship party and anyone who received scholarship money towards that goal, no matter how big or small, would be invited to our party,” continued Dr. Warfield. “There was some hesitancy and skepticism at first, but I wouldn’t let up. I met with our College and Career Readiness Counselor, Ms. Arzola, and we organized small group meetings, sometimes 1:1, with all seniors to share expectations, set goals, research and apply for scholarships, and offer support. I consistently shared with them, ‘We leave NO money on the table. You will miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.’”
By February 2022, the Class of 2022 had reached its goal of $2M. Scholars and staff persisted, and eventually more than doubled the original goal. On Friday, May 13, 2022, graduating seniors, administrators and staff gathered at Pittsburgh Yards to celebrate the record-setting achievement of $4.5 million scholarship dollars at the first annual Carver STEAM Scholarship Gala hosted by Dr. Warfield.
“One of my favorite quotes by Aristotle is, ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit,” says Dr. Warfield. “Being persistent is not an act, it is a habit. Studying is not an act, but a habit. Goal-setting is not an act, but a habit. Asking for help is not an act, but a habit. Grinding when no one is looking is not an act, but a habit. Because successful people do consistently what ordinary people do occasionally.”
Congratulations Class of 2022 Graduates!
