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District highlights Explore Pathways expansion and Academy of Louisville outcomes
Summary
District leaders reported expansion of Explore Pathways in middle schools and continued gains in the Academies of Louisville high‑school model, citing increases in student belonging, reduced absenteeism and higher postsecondary readiness.
Jefferson County administrators on Jan. 28 presented updates on Explore Pathways for middle schools and the Academies of Louisville — two district initiatives meant to link curricular experience with career exposure and to increase student engagement and postsecondary readiness.
Explore Pathways: district staff described the middle‑school model as a hands‑on, project‑based set of pathways that expose students to career clusters and promote belonging. The district said Explore expanded from eight middle schools in the first year to 18 schools in the program, reporting a 12‑percentage‑point increase in students’ sense of belonging since spring 2023 and a 6‑point decline in chronic absenteeism at Explore schools. Staff also reported a three‑point winter increase in predicted math proficiency in Explore middle schools.
Cameron Middle School principal Shannon Corrigan and Explore teachers described a structure in which sixth‑grade students sample multiple pathways and then select one for seventh and eighth grade. Teacher Victor “Mister D” Darragrande and a student ambassador, Sophie Duncan, described project work including drones, robotics and STEM units; Sophie told the board Explore increased her confidence and extracurricular opportunities.
Academies of Louisville: district leaders described the high‑school academy model as a small‑learning‑community structure anchored to career technical education (CTE) and aligned to the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) standards. The district said the 15 Academy of Louisville high schools reported a 78% postsecondary‑readiness rate for the cohort of 2024 — an increase the administration said equates to 136 more postsecondary‑ready seniors than the prior cohort. The academies use freshman academies, interdisciplinary teacher teams, and business partners to provide work‑based learning and credential opportunities.
Marybeth Smith, director of Career Academies, and partner Michael Grinton of Kentuckiana Works and Greater Louisville Inc. outlined employer engagement and a guiding team for the Academies of Louisville Alliance, listing more than 200 local business partners across the academies. Principal Rebecca Nicholas of Fern Creek described partnerships and lab renovations that connect classroom instruction to employer needs.
A student ambassador from Seneca High School described mock trial, civic and workplace experiences that she said prepared her for postsecondary plans. The board voted to receive the Explore and Academies update.
Why it matters: The Explore and Academy initiatives are a district priority intended to increase engagement, reduce absenteeism and expand pathways to careers and credentials; the presentations tied program expansion and partnerships to measurable student outcomes.
