Stride selects 47 recipients for new scholarship program

Herndon-based online education provider Stride Inc. (formerly K12 Inc.) announced last week it has selected 47 recipients for the first round of its $10 million investment to provide education options for underserved Black students. 

The funding was disbursed through Stride’s We Stand Together Scholarships program, which was first announced in September 2020. The first cohort will receive tuition-free full-time enrollment to Stride’s online K12 Private Academy for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year.

“A stronger, more inclusive nation begins with economic empowerment, academic equity and career readiness for all, and we are proud to extend that opportunity to more students through this new scholarship,” Stride CEO James Rhyu said in a statement. Stride announced in late January that Nathaniel A. “Nate” Davis was retiring from his role as CEO and would be succeeded by Rhyu.

The initial group of recipients includes students from 14 states who are in kindergarten through 11th grade. Recipients will also have access to all materials and technology needed to complete their online courses. They were chosen based on academic achievement, educational and life goals and financial need, according to Stride.

“Every student, regardless of race or income, should have access to a school dedicated to helping them succeed, especially during a pandemic when education plans have been disrupted for so many,” K12 Private Academy Head of School Leslie Smith said in a statement.

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