Dark Horse Fellows

Dark Horse Fellows Program Overview 

The Dark Horse Fellows Program is the most advanced teacher preparatory program in our county and is available to successful Clinton High School rising juniors and seniors with a strong passion to become educators.  This program will provide forgivable loans toward college tuition to selected recipients, work experience, mentor support, and experience-based learning opportunities. Dark Horse Fellows seniors may apply to receive a forgivable loan of $10,000 per year to a four-year university renewable up to four years. Up to two forgivable loans will be awarded to Dark Horse Fellows seniors each year. Upon successful completion of their undergraduate degree and teacher certification, recipients of the forgivable loan will teach in Clinton City Schools one full year for each year they receive the loan. Students unable to teach in Clinton City Schools must repay the loan and any accrued interest. Each year of service in Clinton City Schools will result in reducing the loan by $10,000. This program also allows students to take dual-credit teacher education courses through Sampson Community College. Summer internship opportunities and experience-based learning activities are also an integral part of the program. Additionally, students receive personalized support during the college application and scholarship process.  

Highlights of the Dark Horse Fellows program include: 

• a two-year cohort model available to a diverse group of rising high school juniors and seniors with strong academic achievement and aptitude for leading others; 

• curricular focus on developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for highly effective classroom teachers and educational leaders; 

• classroom observations and teaching experience before college;

• graduation with transferable college credit; 

• partnership with Sampson Community College for prerequisite teacher education courses;

• personalized support during the college application and scholarship process; 

• school of education college campus tours;

• paid summer internship opportunities;

• eligibility to apply for a Dark Horse Fellows forgivable loan of $10,000 per year for college tuition and fees;

• up to two Dark Horse Fellows may receive a forgivable loan each year;

• job placement upon successful graduation and certification for forgivable loan recipients

 The Dark Horse Fellows program will build our capacity in Clinton City Schools to recruit highly qualified high school students into the teaching profession, support their personal and professional growth, and employ and retain them in Clinton City Schools upon graduation from college.

Pictures of our Dark Horse Fellows in Action!