A junior scholar initiative continues to pay dividends, though not in the way originally envisioned by the Cherokee County School District.

There was no change this year in the number of junior scholars selected by the state from county middle schools.

The school district had 40 students named junior scholars in 2008 and 2009. This is a modest increase from the 34 students honored in 2007.

"We are seeing more students score high enough on the PSAT to qualify as junior scholars in two or more areas," said Page McCraw, director of high school programs. "Typically, students only qualify as a junior scholar in one year."

Students become a junior scholar by being recognized through Duke University's Talent Identification Program or scoring higher than 50 on the PSAT in verbal, math or writing. Junior scholars receive information from different colleges and invitations to participate in summer academic programs.

Students attend Junior Scholar Days hosted by state colleges for high school students at all grade levels.

The school district has placed more emphasis on the junior scholar program in the past three years, hoping it will serve as a springboard to promoting higher student achievement at the high school level.

In 2007, the school district used private funds to purchase 200 Princeton Review Pocket Prep handheld computers. Teachers are using the test preparation software to help middle school students prepare for the PSAT.

"It will take some time to increase the number of junior scholars to where we would like it to be," McCraw said.