Fort Wayne Community Schools will host special reveal celebrations at all five high schools and the Fort Wayne Virtual Academy to introduce students to their Schools of Success program. During these events, students will discover the School of Success and career-focused pathway they will join for their remaining years in high school.

During freshman year, ninth graders have learned about the Schools of Success and the various career pathways they could follow. Earlier this year, students submitted requests for one of dozens of pathways in one of the three Schools of Success: Health Sciences and Human Services, Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades or Business and The Arts.

"At Fort Wayne Community Schools, we are committed to transforming education to ensure students are ready for life after graduation, whether they enroll in higher education, enlist in the military or enter the workforce as an employee or entrepreneur," Fort Wayne Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel said. "Through our Schools of Success, students will have experiences connecting their core academic studies with real-world relevance connected to the career focus of their choice."

While each high school offers the same Schools of Success, they may offer different pathways. A pathway is a sequence of courses within a School of Success designed to help students meet mandatory graduation requirements while focusing on a specific career field. Regardless of the pathway chosen, students will develop skills, knowledge and attributes applicable to multiple career options. Information about schools’ pathways can be found at https://www.fortwayneschools.org/schools-of-success/pathways.

The reveal celebrations are an important part of building excitement for the Schools of Success and actively engaging students in choosing their high school courses.

The celebrations will take place:

• North Side High School: March 20, 11:50 a.m.-2:20 p.m.
• Snider High School: March 25, 1:45 p.m.
• Northrop High School: March 26, Noon-1:35 p.m.
• South Side High School: March 28, Noon
• Fort Wayne Virtual Academy: April 10, 12:15 p.m.
• New Tech Academy: April 15, 8-10:30 a.m.
• Wayne High School: April 15, Noon-2:25 p.m.

Student entrepreneurs at Fort Wayne Community Schools are showcasing their business ideas at upcoming events. The 3DE Market Expo and the New Tech Academy Trade Show will offer unique opportunities for the community to see student-created business concepts, interact with young entrepreneurs and support initiatives that prepare students for real-world success. In many cases, visitors can purchase products made by students.

3DE Market Expo 2025

Snider High School
Date: Thursday, March 20
Time: 12:15-2:15 p.m.

North Side High School
Date: Friday, March 21
Time: 12:15-2:15 p.m.

At the 3DE Market Expo, juniors will showcase businesses they conceptualized and built, including passion projects born from personal interests to serious industry ventures and heartwarming charitable initiatives.

New Tech Academy Trade Show Spring 2025

New Tech Academy at Wayne High School
Date: Tuesday, March 25
Times: 8:15-9:15 a.m. and 1:10-2:15 p.m.

The New Tech Academy Trade Show features seniors presenting fully developed business prototypes and comprehensive business plans. Students will make professional business pitches, present websites and branding materials and offer interactive booths with games and raffles.

For the third year in a row, Fort Wayne Community Schools has a team of freshmen in the final four of the Arby’s National Case Challenge Competition.

Arby’s is hoping to get younger customers to visit their chain of restaurants and has tasked 3DE students with finding a solution. A team from South Side High School will present their ideas to Arby’s executives and judges virtually during a National 3DE Case Challenge from 12-1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13, at South Side High School, 3601 Calhoun Street.

South Side will compete against two teams from Florida and one team from Georgia.

A team from North Side won the 2024 Arby’s National Case Challenge Competition. Snider competed in the national finals in 2023.

3DE by Junior Achievement is a learning experience that authentically connects students with real-world experiences to take education beyond the walls of the classroom.

The Fort Wayne Community Schools Adult and Continuing Education Department will honor more than 240 graduates who earned their diplomas in 2024. The graduation ceremony is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at North Side High School, 475 E. State Blvd.

From Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2024, these dedicated individuals successfully passed the High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam or completed High School Credit (HSC) requirements.

Three graduates will share their inspirational journeys at the ceremony:

Carlos Mauricio Leiva was born in El Salvador and arrived in the United States in 2005, following his parents who had immigrated five years earlier. Despite holding a technical certification in electronics from his home country, Carlos returned to school after nearly two decades to master English, better support his family and enhance his career opportunities.

Christina Saylor became a mother to twin daughters at 16. She stepped away from school during her senior year to care for her family. In 2023, she discovered her dream job required a high school diploma. Though math presented a challenge for Saylor, she was able to persevere and achieve her educational goals.

Sekina Acklin-Howse moved to Indiana from Chicago in search of better opportunities. She dedicated many years to raising her five children before returning to education in 2024. With unwavering determination, Acklin-Howse completed her education at 41 while balancing her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and full-time employee.

The Adult and Continuing Education Program serves adult students of all ages, providing educational opportunities that empower individuals to achieve their academic and career goals.