Fort Wayne Community Schools’ 11 middle schools and the Fort Wayne Virtual Academy are hosting 6th Grade Orientation and Open House events starting April 9.   

The orientation experience is designed to guide fifth grade students and their families through the transition process. During the event, families will tour the school, explore course offerings and co-curricular programs and meet the teachers and staff. They will also learn how the FWCS Schools of Success will enhance the middle school educational experience. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to register for the upcoming 2025–26 school year. 

Orientations will be held at each middle school:   
  

·         Portage Middle School, Wednesday, April 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m.  

·         Jefferson Middle School, Thursday, April 10, 6-7 p.m.  

·         Miami Middle School, Thursday, April 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.  

·         Shawnee Middle School, Thursday, April 10, 6-7 p.m. 

·         Lakeside Middle School, Tuesday, April 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m., and Wednesday, April 23, 8-9 a.m.  

·         Northwood Middle School, Tuesday, April 22, 6-7:30 p.m.  

·         Blackhawk Middle School, Wednesday, April 23, 6-7:30 p.m.  

·         Kekionga Middle School, Tuesday, April 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m.  

·         Lane Middle School, Tuesday, April 29, 6-7 p.m.  

·         Memorial Park Middle School, Tuesday, April 29, 5-6:30 p.m.  

·         Towles New Tech Middle School, Tuesday, April 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m.  

·         Fort Wayne Virtual Academy, Tuesday, April 29, 5:30-6:30 p.m. (Virtual)  

Fort Wayne Community Schools is 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.   

Learn more about the Schools of Success at www.fortwayneschools.org/schools-of-success.  

Early childhood education plays a crucial role in the development of lifelong learning skills. That is why Fort Wayne Community Schools is focused on helping young learners build a strong foundation for academic success beginning in pre-K.  

Through the Schools of Success, all FWCS students, including pre-K students, will be provided guaranteed experiences. In pre-K, students will learn connections between art and storytelling by pairing art at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art with a book. Pre-K students will then visit FWMoA or host a museum guest to see and discuss artwork and learn museum etiquette. 

To help families prepare for this educational journey, FWCS is hosting Passport to Pre-K from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at North Side High School, 475 E. State Blvd.  

At Passport to Pre-K families can: 

·         Learn about and register for pre-K programs 

·         Find out about On My Way Pre-K requirements 

·         Meet teachers and staff 

·         Receive transportation information 

·         Connect with community partners 

FWCS offers a variety of full-day and half-day pre-K programs at neighborhood schools throughout the city. Every child who lives within the FWCS boundary is eligible for a pre-K program. Children must be 4 but not yet 5 years old on or before Aug. 1 to be eligible to attend pre-K. Getting registered early is important. It gives families more time to learn about their school’s program, and it helps ease the student’s transition to school. 

To register at Passport to Pre-K, families should bring: 

·         Photo ID for all adults in the household 

·         Birth certificates for all children in the household 

·         Two proofs of residence (utility or medical bill, mortgage or rental papers, paycheck, etc.) 

·         Recent paystub 

·         Smartphone (not required) 

Schools will hold their own pre-K orientations before the end of the school year. The first day of pre-K for the 2025-26 school year is Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.   

Parents wanting to receive more information about pre-K registration should call 467-2850 or visit https://fwcs.info/PreK. 

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.