September 27 – 29, 2022
This three day event was designed to demonstrate how Akron Public Schools mobilized the entire Akron community to build and sustain the College & Career Academies of Akron.
A pre-event was organized for all Indiana 3E grant school districts, CIESC representatives, and Ford NGL coaches. The keynote speaker for the event was Ms. Flora Jones, IDOE Director of Student Pathways.
During the first day of the study visit in Akron, participants were able to see the Academies of Akron in action through visitations at a high school and a non-profit organization supporting a middle school.
Each high school includes Career Academies. College & Career Academies transform the traditional high school model to prepare all students for college and careers by linking academic subjects to career themes. Students and teachers use experiential learning to make lessons come alive. Different pathways designed and supported by community partners are created to introduce students to a variety of college and career options. Benefits include: Small Learning Communities, student learning through a career lens, and business and community engagement.
Middle School Academies at Akron Public Schools provide students with engaging and creative learning opportunities at each grade level. Students are challenged to think in and out of the classroom while learning about themselves and their relationships with others. The middle school academies are structured in small learning communities. All middle school students
- Research and solve community-based problems through service learning activities
- Engage in activities that foster personal growth and build professional skills necessary to be successful in life
- Explore careers with community and business partners
The second day of the event was organized in a conference format with a variety of topical breakout sessions.
The College and Career Academies embrace the same 3Es as IDOE (Enrollment, Employment, and Enlistment), and they added a fourth E – Entrepreneurship.
