Hamilton County Invests in Students Futures
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Hamilton County Schools, UTC, Volkswagen Group of America, and the Hamilton County Mayor’s Office announced a multimillion-dollar partnership to support the upcoming Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center, set to open in the 2026–2027 school year.
The investment will fund the Volkswagen Engineering Preparatory Program, a new initiative designed to introduce students to engineering concepts and technical skills starting in their freshman year of high school.
“This is exactly the type of intentional opportunity we want for our students,” said HCS Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson. “It gives them access to real-world learning and career connections.”
Henning Habicht, Volkswagen’s Head of Chattanooga Operations, called the program a “bold step” that shows what’s possible when education, industry, and government work together.
The Franklin-Roberts Future Ready Center will serve students from The Howard School, Signal Mountain Middle High, Red Bank, Brainerd, East Ridge, Lookout Valley, and Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.
With this expansion, all Hamilton County high school students will have direct access to Future Ready Centers, joining the existing Harrison Bay and North River facilities.
The center’s name honors two influential Chattanoogans who shaped education and opportunity in the community: John P. Franklin, Sr. and Bertha S. Roberts.
