Investing in our future

Our students are our future, and we need to invest the time and resources now so that our future is bright. What should we do to ensure that our communities, schools, and businesses are all working together to invest? I think we need lots of mentors from the business community who are in the schools weekly (human capital), and I think we need to raise funds and create a large "pot" of scholarship money that is presented to 8th grade students (12th grade is too late). The mentors can help set students on a path based on any career interests, and the scholarship money will be set as the reward for any student who successfully completes all predetermined requirements throughout high school. What do you think? I need lots of help and lots of ideas. Thanks.