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Four Decades of Transforming Lives Across Middle Tennessee

Since 1984, High Hopes has been at the forefront of pediatric therapy and inclusive early education, combining clinical excellence with educational innovation to create lasting change for children and families. What began as a vision to fill a critical gap in services has grown into a comprehensive model that demonstrates what's possible when expert educators and therapists work side by side. 

Today, High Hopes stands as Middle Tennessee's leader in integrated therapeutic education, proving that with the right support at the right time, every child can discover their potential and build a foundation for lifelong success.

Child smiling on climbing equipment

Our 2024-25 Impact

  • 977 children served across preschool and therapy programs 

  • 17 Tennessee counties reached 

  • 32,667 specialized therapy sessions delivered  

  • 179,760 hours of expert classroom instruction provided  

Expert Knowledge Creating Field-Wide Impact

High Hopes doesn't just deliver exceptional care. Our team actively advances the fields of pediatric therapy, early childhood education, and inclusive practice, creating a multiplier effect that extends far beyond the children we serve directly. 

​When you choose High Hopes, your child benefits from a team whose expertise is simultaneously: 

  • Training university students who will become tomorrow's therapists and educators 

  • Publishing research that shapes how thousands of professionals approach early intervention 

  • Presenting at conferences attended by practitioners from across the country 

  • Contributing to guidelines and systems that govern early childhood education 

  • Mentoring the next generation of specialists in integrated, family-centered care 

Occupational therapist working with an infant

Measurable Impact Across the Field

Field Impact by the Numbers:

  • 40+ doctoral and master's degree holders on therapy and educational staff 

  • 200+ master & doctoral students trained 

  • 25+ peer-reviewed publications contributing to the field 

  • 100+ conference presentations and professional development workshops delivered 

  • 5+ national and state advisory board appointments 

  • assessment tools/frameworks developed with regional or national adoption 

  • Multiple competitive grants awarded for research and program development 

Result: Families at High Hopes benefit from the expertise of practitioners who are training the next generation, publishing research that advances best practices, presenting at national conferences, and shaping policy and standards. The evidence-based, family-centered model families experiences at High Hopes is being disseminated through universities, professional associations, and training systems—building the field's capacity to serve more children, more effectively, everywhere.

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Looking Ahead: Expanding our Impact

With four decades of proven results and a team of industry-leading professionals, High Hopes is positioned to expand our reach and deepen our impact. Our vision includes: 

  • Serving more children across Middle Tennessee through expanded therapy services 

  • Growing our inclusive preschool program to meet increasing demand 

  • Training the next generation of pediatric therapists and early childhood educators 

  • Advancing research on integrated therapeutic education models 

  • Building partnerships that increase access to high-quality early intervention 

Together, we can ensure every child in Middle Tennessee has access to the expert care and education they need to reach their full potential. 

Get Involved

Support

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We are a nonprofit organization where each donation matters.

Volunteer

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Volunteer opportunities are open to individuals and groups alike.​

Engage

High Hopes Staff dancing  with a girl

Join us through community events and fundraisers year-round.

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