Academies of Lexington

Explore Your World. Find Your Future.

High school students are graduating into a world that’s changing faster than ever.  In order to truly prepare our students for the world that’s waiting for them, we have to transform the way we approach public education.  Students deserve an educational experience as innovative, immersive, and engaging as the world around them.

Ford NGL Small Learning Communities are designed to create a more personalized and engaging high school experience for students by organizing schools into smaller, career-focused academies or pathways. These communities connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, often through partnerships with local businesses and organizations. By focusing on students’ interests and future goals, Ford NGL Small Learning Communities help prepare them for success in college, careers, and life -- fostering both academic achievement and the development of essential skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. 

In Fayette County Public Schools, three of our high schools make up the Academies of Lexington:

• Bryan Station, under the leadership of academy coach Rebecca Shearer
• Tates Creek, under academy coach Beth Fain 
• Frederick Douglass, under academy coach Jamie Mills

For first-year students, the Freshman Academy provides an important bridge from middle to high school.

Key Connections

This program provides a new type of educational journey that highlights connections between the classroom and the real world! Academy students have an array of relevant experiences such as:  

• Career Expo (9th graders)
• Campus visits
• Ceremonies (e.g. Commitment to Graduation)
• Industry-related field trips
• Job shadowing
• Mentoring
• Co-op opportunities
• Internships
• Apprenticeships

Frequently Asked Questions 

In Their Own Words: Student Ambassadors

Benefits of Ford NGL Communities

Academies revolutionize what education can be for public high school students by allowing them to gain real-world experience in a field that interests them. As a result, our graduates are engaged and prepared to meet the needs of the 21st century economy. These results ripple through the larger community with tangible results:

• Increased high school graduation rates
• Increased academic achievement
• Improved preparation for college, careers, and life
• Increased number of students graduating with industry certifications and college credits
• Increased earning potential and a strengthened talent pipeline

Contact

James McMillin, chief of high schools

Amanda Wickersham, director of Career & Technical Education

email us