Beyond the Classroom: Redefining Education with AofL's Vision Team
In an era where high schools often struggle to prepare students for life beyond graduation, the Academies of Louisville (AofL) continue to prove a model of innovation. The AofL mission is clear: to equip students not just with diplomas but with the skills and experiences necessary to thrive in their post-high school endeavors. This "diploma plus" approach, as Assistant Superintendent Dr. Joseph Ellison calls it, addresses a long-standing concern in education: that students are often prepared for graduation day but not for the day after.
However, implementing this vision across 15 diverse schools presents its own set of challenges. While united in their mission, each school's unique context could lead to inconsistencies and potential inequities in student experiences. Enter the Academies of Louisville Vision Team, a collaborative force designed to bridge these gaps and ensure a standardized yet flexible approach across the district.
Strategic Collaboration
This team brings together a diverse array of stakeholders—teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, district officials, and industry professionals—fostering a synergy of ideas and experiences. "Every school is not on their own because of the Vision Team," adds Brian Sermersheim, Freshman Academy Assistant Principal at Fern Creek High School, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving their work.
By methodically rebuilding the high school experience, the Vision Team is crafting an educational approach that extends far beyond traditional classroom instruction. Sarah Nordmann, a Math teacher at Fern Creek High School with 25 years of experience, emphasizes the urgency of their mission: "The educational model has to be redesigned to meet today's needs." Nordmann sees the Vision Team as critical to this redesign, working to transform an outdated system still based on a late 1800s Industrial Revolution model into one that prepares the students of today to step into college or career after graduating.
The Team's Strategic Vision
The Vision Team's genesis came in Fall 2021 after Kristin Wingfeld and Kim Morales discovered a similar initiative from other school districts at the ACTE conference. Recognizing the need to hear diverse voices across the district, they were inspired by this approach and assembled a team committed to reimagining high school education from the ground up.
Crystal Cornelison, a former corporate professional turned educator at Marion C. Moore School, explains their mission: "We want students to have an equitable experience. Business partners show students that what they are learning will actually matter after high school." This approach represents a fundamental shift—moving beyond academic achievement to genuine life preparation.
The Vision Team has systematically approached their work through three critical phases:
2022-2023: Defining the mission of the Vision Team
2023-2024: Focusing on the freshman experience
2024-2025: Targeting upper academy experience
“We want students to have an equitable experience. Business partners show students that what they are learning will actually matter after high school.”
Transforming the Freshman Experience
Last year the Vision Team created a comprehensive self-service menu of experiences for freshmen, called the Freshman Academy Experience Guide, focusing on the critical areas of belong, explore, plan, and succeed. This innovative approach provides a standardized yet flexible framework for all 15 Academies of Louisville schools, ensuring equitable experiences for students across the district.
Key components of the menu include expected experiences such as orientation events, pathway showcases, personal inventories, resumes, Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), and a "Commitment to Graduate" ceremony. Optional activities that schools may offer include "Swag Days," industry tours, and pathway selection ceremonies.
At Marion C. Moore School, the changes are tangible. "It's uniform," Cornelison notes. The freshman academy now features industry field days, increased guest speaker opportunities, and a growing career awareness. Fern Creek High School has seen similar transformations, with more intentional celebrations and a stronger sense of community.
Sermersheim highlights the impact: "As the freshman AP, I have seen a dramatic increase in the freshman academy's sense of belonging and career exploration." The school's Tiger Transition Camp and intentional community-building efforts have become hallmarks of their approach.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
The team's focus on national standards of practice (NSOP) from the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) ensures a comprehensive approach to student development. Their menu of experiences correlates closely with JCPS's Journey to Success, providing artifacts that can be used for ongoing review and improvement.
As the Academies of Louisville Vision Team continues to innovate and collaborate, their work is far from over. This year, they're developing the upper academy experience guide, further extending their impact beyond the freshman year. Their ongoing work represents a powerful reimagining of education, where every student is seen, heard, and prepared for success beyond the classroom walls.