Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Career And Alternative Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Leominster Center for Excellence principal highlights internships and 100% graduation for Empower Ed in 2024'025
Summary
Principal John Vanellet told the committee that the Leominster Center for Excellence combines an Innovation and Career Academy with an Empower Ed credit-recovery program; Empower Ed recorded a 100% graduation outcome for the 2024'025 year and ICA students largely participate in internships tracked by the Emlaze platform.
John Vanellet, principal of the Leominster Center for Excellence, presented an overview of the center's two programs at the March 2 school committee meeting, describing instructional approaches, internship requirements and student outcomes.
Vanellet said LCE operates the Innovation and Career Academy (ICA), which emphasizes project-based and internship-connected learning, and Empower Ed, a credit-recovery program that offers flexible individualized pathways. "Our mission at LCE is to provide a safe and supportive environment where students engage in real world learning activities and interest-based activities while building strong academic skills," Vanellet said.
He described ICA's structure: students participate in advisories and sustained project work, present exhibitions at the end of each trimester, and must complete internships tracked via an online platform called Emlaze. Vanellet said freshmen are required to complete 250 internship hours and sophomores, juniors and seniors 275 hours annually; the platform records GPS-verified sign-ins and sign-outs and staff conduct community visits to support placements.
On Empower Ed, Vanellet presented 2024'025 enrollment and outcome figures: 35 students enrolled during the year, with 30 seniors; 26 seniors graduated by the end of the year and the remaining four graduated subsequently, resulting in a reported 100% graduation rate for the program. For the current year he reported 33'35 students enrolled so far and said average credits earned in the first semester indicate stronger progress than the prior year.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about the five-year postsecondary plans required of seniors and whether the school tracks alumni outcomes; Vanellet said seniors create a portfolio that includes a resume and financial plan but acknowledged the district currently lacks a formal five-year follow-up survey.
The presentation was informational; the committee did not take formal action but discussed how the center's internship and portfolio requirements support students who have struggled in traditional settings.
