On August 1, 2024, the Guiding Team of the Academies of Louisville (AofL) came together for an exciting retreat at the Sawyer Hayes Center in E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park. This collaborative group, made up of education leaders and business partners, is key to shaping the future of the Academies, sparking innovation, and improving student outcomes. The retreat aimed to align the team’s vision for the upcoming year and brainstorming ways to keep the momentum going with their initiatives. The retreat's theme, "growing and sustaining," was aptly symbolized by the flywheel metaphor, illustrating the power of sustained effort in achieving long-term success.

The flywheel concept, borrowed from Jim Collins' book Good to Great, compares organizational progress to a massive, heavy wheel. Initially, it takes significant effort to move the flywheel, but with persistent pushing in a consistent direction, momentum builds. Each turn becomes easier than the last, eventually reaching a point where the flywheel's own weight propels it forward with increasing speed. Entering our eighth year, this metaphor perfectly captures the Academies' journey of continuous improvement and growing impact as we work collaboratively to bridge classroom and career, ensuring that every student is equipped for the real world.

A Unique Partnership: Education Meets Industry

What sets the Academies of Louisville apart is its groundbreaking partnership between Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and local businesses. This collaboration brings real-world relevance to the classroom, preparing students for future careers in ways traditional education often cannot. Dr. Joe Ellison, Assistant Superintendent for High Schools, emphasized this unique aspect, stating, "Business partners are the lifeblood of this work." He highlighted how these partnerships provide students with engaging, relevant instruction and opportunities beyond a traditional diploma.

Leading these efforts to bridge industry with education is the Academies of Louisville Guiding Team. Each member has volunteered their time to give guidance to the Academies as they have seen the impact that the Academies have on the students. Incoming Chair of the Guiding Team Tony Georges–Chief Human Resources Officer at Heaven Hill Brands–saw this impact firsthand when he served as a business partner through UPS; mentoring students into future careers has motivated Tony to give even more time to the momentum of the Academies.

“ The Academies of Louisville are the most exciting workforce development story in Louisville. ”

— Jim Lancaster, Lantech President and CEO

The Flywheel in Motion

Dr. Marty Pollio, Superintendent of JCPS, described the Academies as "one of the greatest things happening in any district in the US." He noted that despite living in a "microwave society" where instant results are often expected, the Academies' approach demonstrates the value of persistent effort. "We are just now starting to see the fruits of our labor," he said, pointing to the Academies' role in reducing disparities in student outcomes and becoming a national model for other districts. In 2024, 78% of AofL graduates were postsecondary ready, a 4.1% increase from the previous year. Schools like Fern Creek, PRP, and Southern saw double-digit increases in postsecondary readiness rates, fueled by student passion and industry engagement.

Real-World Impact

The Academies have transformed education within their own schools and created one of the most innovative workforce development programs in the nation. The retreat showcased numerous examples of how the Academies are changing students’ lives. After watching a testimonial video from a recent graduate now working in the field, Dr. Pollio commented, “That’s what this is all about” – making a difference in the lives of the students who need it the most.

Past Guiding Team Chair Jim Lancaster called the Academies of Louisville “the most exciting workforce development story” in Louisville. He became involved with the Academies as he was having difficulty filling positions at Lantech, where he is President and CEO. And he has stayed involved in the Academies because he has seen firsthand the positive impact on students, businesses, and the community. Dr. Ellison observed the benefit of businesses partnering with educators, “Students can see someone like them and think, ‘I can do this.’” This exposure to real-world opportunities is a key factor in the Academies’ success.

The Flywheel Gains Speed

Tony predicts that this coming year will be an inflection point for the Academies with the restructuring of committees and the creation of the Academies of Louisville Alliance. Three subcommittees offer seasoned thought leadership to the Academies:

Communications, chaired by Kerri Richardson, President and Chief Business Officer at C2 Strategic Communications
Business Partnership, chaired by Sharise Horne, Chief Equity and Community Partnerships at Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District
Student Engagement, chaired by Mark Hamner, Senior Engineering Manager, Corporate Solutions at Papa John’s

Directed by Regina Phillips, the Alliance will work daily to connect the Academies pathways with business partners and to engage the community with this transformative model of education. The Alliance will work within the vision of the Guiding Team and the subcommittees to achieve the ambitious goal of 90% postsecondary readiness in Academies schools by 2026.

As the retreat concluded, the Guiding Team reflected on the progress made and the challenges ahead. With over 200 local companies now partnering with the Academies, offering job shadowing, industry tours, and guest speaker opportunities, the momentum continues to build. As the flywheel of the Academies of Louisville gains speed, it promises to transform not only education in Jefferson County but also to strengthen the local economy and community for years to come.