Warren County is joining the high school innovation movement known as career academics by adopting the academy model beginning with the freshman class in the 2017-18 school year.
“I am extremely excited to share in the unveiling of The Academies of Warren County,” said Director of Schools Bobby Cox. “Principal Jimmy Walker and his staff have worked extremely hard to research, plan, and develop a program that will improve the entire academic program at Warren County High School.”
The academy model is expected to increase graduation rate, attendance rate, develop positive relations between students and teachers, decrease discipline referrals, and improve the overall academic program at the high school.
It will also expose students to the world of work in their chosen academy to allow them to explore a field of study prior to leaving high school and entering college or the workforce.
Academy schools are smaller schools located within a larger high school. They integrate academics with technical know-how in an occupation or industry that has important ties to the region.
For Warren County High School, the following four academies will be offered:
• Engineering and Law -- Mechatronics, robotics, criminal justice, and architecture and engineering design
• Business, Hospitality, and Education -- Banking and finance, marketing, culinary arts, and early childhood education careers
• Biological Sciences -- Horticulture science, animal science, nursing education, and emergency services
• Automotive and Structural Technology -- Automotive maintenance and light repair, automotive collision repair, structural systems, and welding.
Currently, students are required to obtain 22 credits to graduate high school. Under the academy schedule, students will be able to achieve 32 credits with the 10 additional credits allowing students to take elective or advanced course work.
The School Board will increase the number of required credits to receive a WCHS diploma due to the increase in available credit opportunities.
The academy model will do away with the extended lunch hour in order to increase the amount of time students spend learning. Students will be given 30 minutes for lunch.
While the implementation of the academy model will begin with the incoming freshman class of 2017-18, it will progress from there and encompass the entire school by 2020-21.
For parents of an incoming freshman, two sessions explaining the change in detail will be offered this Tuesday, March 28, one at Warren County High School at 5:30 p.m. and one at Warren County Middle School at 7 p.m. Sessions at elementary schools have yet to be set.