Schools of Success

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. Through our Schools of Success, students will have experiences connecting their core academic studies with real world relevancy. From the moment students enter FWCS, they will see themselves in the Portrait of an Explorer (elementary), Portrait of a Connector (middle school) and Portrait of a Graduate (high school). FWCS launches the Freshman Schools of Success at each of the district’s high schools in the fall of 2024.

YEAR 1

9th grade students will begin their high school careers in the Freshman School of Success
following the 3DE model. This innovative education initiative connects core academic learning with real businesses to develop the following skills: collaboration, communication, creativity and innovation, critical and analytical thinking, cultural agility and self-direction. Through the Freshman Seminar course, students will learn more about their interests and skills so they have the confidence to choose the School of Success and pathway in which they will study.

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YEAR 2

Starting in 10th grade, students will be scheduled within their School of Success for core classes that are aligned with their chosen pathway. Students will also be able to continue to choose electives outside of their pathway, such as arts or world languages. The chosen pathway will be integrated into core classes to provide real world relevancy to the required academic standards and establish amore engaging learning environment.

YEAR 3 & 4

In 11th and 12th grades, students will continue taking core classes and classes specific
to their chosen pathway in their
School of Success. The courses will become more advanced with
options for dual credit, Advanced Placement courses and internships. Depending on the pathway selected, students may take courses on-campus
at their home high school or
off-campus at Amp Lab or the FWCS Career Academy.

Schools of Success FAQ

What are the Schools of Success?

In fall 2024, each FWCS high school will launch the Freshman Schools of Success with the Class of 2028 being the first group of students to go through the Schools of Success. In the fall of 2025, these students will have the opportunity to choose a pathway in one of three Schools of Success – the School of Health Sciences & Human Services; the School of Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology & Trades; and the School of Business & the Arts. Each high school will offer programs in all three Schools.

The Schools of Success will provide students the skills, knowledge and attributes they need to be productive, responsible citizens upon graduation from high school and ready to enroll in college, enlist in the military or enter the workforce as an employee or entrepreneur. Through the Schools, students will have experiences connecting their core academic studies with real world relevancy by partnering with businesses and organizations in northeast Indiana.

What is a Pathway?

What Pathways are offered in each School of Success?

School of	On Campus	Off Campus
Health Sciences & Human Services	Biomedical Criminal Justice Culinary Arts Education Careers Exercise Science Hospitality Management Human & Social Services	Central Service Tech CNA Cosmetology & Barbering Criminal Justice Culinary Arts Dental Careers Early Childhood Education EMT Fire & Rescue Medical Assisting
Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology & Trades	Computer Science Cybersecurity Design Technology Engineering Industrial Automation & Robotics Industrial Maintenance Electrical Radio & TV	Automotive Collision Repair Automotive Service Technology Construction Trades – Carpentry Construction Trades – Electrical Construction Trades – Masonry HVAC IT Operations Plumbing & Pipefitting Precision Machining Radio & TV Software Development Welding
Business & the Arts	Accounting The Arts Business Administration Digital Design Interactive Media Design Marketing & Sales	Digital Design Interactive Media Design Entrepreneurship

How does a student decide on a School of Success and Pathway?

What do Schools of Success offer?

If a student wants to choose a Pathway at a school other than their assigned school, what is the process?

If my child is awarded a placement at a high school other than their assigned school, will transportation be available?

No, transportation is not provided in the majority of cases. Transportation outside of a student’s attendance area school will only be provided to students enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at South Side High School or New Tech Academy at Wayne High School. In most other cases, families would be required to provide transportation when a student attends a high school other than their assigned school.

I am on track to go to college. Why do I need career-focused learning opportunities?

The Schools of Success model is designed to prepare all students for a successful future – whether that includes post-secondary education or a direct path to a career. Students who want to go to college will be able to take advanced coursework, earn college credit and explore careers. When it’s time to head to college, these opportunities and experiences will ensure our students are successful.

Can a student change Schools of Success at any time?

Students will have experiences and opportunities to explore various pathways throughout the Freshman School of Success so that they are prepared to make an informed decision on which School of Success to choose. However, students will be able to make a change one time, if necessary. Schools will be purposeful in assigning students to a Schools of Success pathway and will focus on using students' first or second choices as much as possible to meet the needs and interests of each student.

How do I get more information about the Schools of Success?

How will the Schools of Success affect students who want to take art or world language classes?

The Arts is a pathway available at all five traditional high schools. In addition, all students, regardless of their chosen pathway, will be able to take fine arts and world language electives. The Indiana Core 40 Diploma requires five credits of world languages, fine arts or career & technical education. The Academic Honors Diploma requires two fine arts credits and six-eight world languages credits (six credits in one language or four credits each in two languages).

How will the Early College programs be affected by the Schools of Success?

Will the class schedules change?

Will students have more homework?

How will English Language Learners services be integrated into the Schools of Success?

How do students with significant disabilities or applied skills fit into the Schools of Success?

The School of Success model aligns with the work we do with students with significant disabilities through:

Establishing small personal environments
Partnering with businesses (PreETS, employment sites)
Increasing rigor (content connectors, scope and sequence)
Aligning with college and career readiness (PreETS, prevocational work, life skills, soft skills K-12)
Creating interdisciplinary teams (teachers, therapists, IAs, general education access)
Incorporating project-based learning (hands on learning, connecting academic skills to life skills)

What are the Portrait of a Graduate expectations for pre-K students?

The pre-K curriculum is naturally connected to the Portrait of a Graduate vision. In pre-K, students learn about careers and have career-based costumes for the dramatic play centers. These costumes would be careers they see in their local community. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Indiana Early Learning standards support career exposure and exploration as well as community connections.