Highland School recently announced The Piedmont Scholarship Program, a new merit-based scholarship available to qualified new students entering grades 9 − 12.

The merit-based program, originated by generous donors, seeks to enroll students who possess the ability to make a meaningful and significant contribution to the quality of school life.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a passion for and excellence in academic performance, ex-curricular activities, leadership, and/or community service.

The Piedmont Scholarship Program will award scholarships up to $10,000 each academic year to prospective students who distinguish themselves, starting with the 2013-14 academic year. The scholarship will be renewed annually for all recipients who maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 or above, act as a positive role model and remain active in the Highland School community.

With the addition of the Piedmont Scholarship Program, Highland School now offers three merit scholarship opportunities to students who demonstrate excellence in academics, extra-curricular activities, leadership and/or community service.

"The results speak for themselves," says Henry Berg, Head of School at Highland. "For two years, we have had the only National Merit Scholars in the county, public or private. The Highland class of 2012 posted the highest average SAT scores in the county. This tradition of academic excellence continues, and will now be available to more students with the advent of the Piedmont Scholars program."

Tim Dunn, Chairman of the Highland Board of Trustees, agrees. "Highland school has the strongest academic programs in the area, including our arts, experiential learning and robotics programs. The Board of Trustees is excited about how the Piedmont Scholarship Program will make these programs available to the region's best and brightest students."

The Piedmont Scholarship Program is made possible through the generous support of individual donors, including Highland parents and parents of alumni.

"We are honored to be a part of this new scholarship program," says Highland parent and former Highland Board Chair, Ellen Stofan, of the donation she and her husband, Tim Dunn, made to support the Piedmont Scholarship Program. "As active members of the Highland community, our hope is that this new scholarship will allow a wider range of students to benefit from the exceptional programs at Highland."

Scholarship awards will be determined by the Piedmont Committee, which includes the Head of School, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, Upper School Director and current Upper School faculty members. The committee will consider each applicant's overall academic performance, character, citizenship and leadership skills before reaching a final decision.

Qualified applicants will maintain a G.P.A. of 3.3 or higher, and will demonstrate excellence in at least one discipline, including academics, the arts, athletics, leadership and / or community service. Applicants who meet the academic requirements will be invited to submit two teacher recommendations and a resume that highlights the applicant's excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, leadership and / or community service.

The Piedmont Scholarship Program is open to all prospective students in the Piedmont region who are applying for admission to Highland School, grades 9 − 12. Prospective students may self-nominate, or may be nominated by any adult inside or outside Highland School.

Prospective students and parents are encouraged to contact Donna Tomlinson, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, at 540-878-2740 or dtom linson@highlandschool.org. Priority will be given to applications received by Friday, February 22, 2013.