Academies

the academies of louisville logo

The Academies of Louisville prepare, inspire, and empower students by offering meaningful and relevant learning experiences that directly relate to our world today.

By connecting high schools to business and community partners, the Academy model aligns education and workforce development needs to better prepare students for postsecondary and career success. Beyond graduating ready to compete in an ever-changing 21st-century economy, Academy students develop the essential skills they need to succeed throughout college, careers, and life.

sign that says fresh class of 2026

Our Freshmen

The Freshman Academy of Valley was implemented so that freshman can get a taste of high school before they are asked to choose where they would like to focus in on.  This offers freshman to also have more time in their schedule, to take an extra elective or a course they are interested in.

students checking out a machine

Business & Industry

Our business and Industrial classes give students the ability to learn about finances, and teamwork. You can learn how to manage a product and team, or how to use HVAC equipment, and learn terminology.  Industrial students also have the ability to work with UPS, and progress in a future career. Taking these classes get them steps closer to being certified in the outside world a lot faster than it would have taken. 

students with a simulator

Health Science

Our Health science classes offer MNA, CCMA, and vet classes. Vet classes even get the chance to work with animals almost daily, and  even get the chance to bring their pet to school. MNA and CCMA classes can work with the school for blood drives. 

What is an Academy?

Academies are small learning communities within JCPS high schools that allow all students to connect what they're learning in the classroom to the real world through a subject that interests them.

Who Is Involved?

  • Educators

  • Families

  • Students

  • Business Partners

What is a Pathway?

A career pathway is a coherent un-duplicated  sequence of rigorous academic and career/technical courses including dual credit opportunities, leading to post-secondary degrees and industry recognized and/or licensures.

-goals-

1. Transform Public Education

2. Enhance Personal Collegiate And Professional Performance

3. Help Elevate And Grow Economic Development In Louisville

Where Will I See This?

Colleges and Workplaces

Academies of Louisville increases student performance and success, as well as builds a sustainable workforce for the future.

Why You Can Believe Us

Here at Valley, we are building on the framework developed by Ford NGL, which has been transforming education in communities across the United States for more than a decade. We have also be helped by UPS, who has had enough faith in our school to give us equipment for the business industry academy. 

Community

Valley students learn both in the classroom and around the city. This helps students build a sense of connection with the Louisville community and become responsible citizens.

Timeline

When is this happening?

In the 2017-18 school year, the ninth-grade Freshman Academy was implemented in our schools at Valley.  The full wall-to-wall academy model, for every grade in the school, began during the 2018-19 school year. 

Goal

Helping elevate and grow economic development in Louisville

  • Improve outcomes for all students.

  • Improve our school district.

  • The state of Kentucky will have skilled and talented workers to fill available positions.

  • Recruit new industries to Louisville through a talented workforce.

  • Make Louisville a more attractive place for businesses.

  • Improving our schools = improving lives, improving our workforce, and Improving our community.