To learn more about the Academies of Shakopee, please visit our website: Shakopee.k12.mn.us

My Place. My Path. My Future.

The Academies of Shakopee are small learning communities of students and teachers organized around areas of interest. Inside the academies, students are connecting with others who have similar aspirations and with teachers who can make meaningful connections to their plans for the future.  Research supports positive outcomes from small learning communities to include improved attendance, reduced behavior issues, increased sense of belonging, increased graduation rates, and achievement gains for all students. There are a number of Minnesota school districts that have implemented or are looking to implement some aspects of the academy model. There are six academies: Arts & Communication, Business & Entrepreneurship, Engineering & Manufacturing, Health Science, Human Services, Science & Technology and the Freshman Academy. Our district partners with local businesses to provide students with real-world authentic learning experiences in their selected academy. They are participating in internships, job shadows, and career exploration activities. This will help improve readiness for college and careers.

My Place. My Path. My Future.

Our Arts & Communication Academy fosters creativity, innovation and expression to ensure well-rounded individuals who can apply those skills in a number of fields. Career fields include the performing arts, visual art, publishing, online media, and creative design. Our Business & Entrepreneurship Academy offers students industry relevant experiences that will allow students creative platforms to produce ideas and products that propel the growth of local, state, national, and the global economy. Career fields include marketing, sales, finance, hospitality & tourism, management, and entrepreneurship, design, communications, and publishing. Our Engineering & Manufacturing Academy is a high tech, high skill, high demand area that will help students generate their own jobs and opportunities. Career fields include manufacturing, robotics, transportation, design, electronics, architecture, construction, and engineering.   Our Health Science Academy provides students with the knowledge and skills to pursue this high demand industry. Health Science career fields include biomedical science, exercise science, health & wellness, nutrition, and healthcare fields. Our Human Services Academy gives students the ability to apply their course work across all academic disciplines. Human Services courses benefit both the community and students while encouraging students to look beyond themselves to serve others. Career fields include human development, psychology, education, legal fields, law enforcement and public services. Our Science & Technology Academy promotes students to be leaders in the construction and development of dynamic and ever-changing industries. This academy reflects the modern needs of our global society and prepares our students to successfully utilize skills that will contribute to the betterment of our community. Career Science fields include investigative science, mathematics, applied science & technology, computer science, and human & natural management. Our Freshman Academy is for 9th grade students. They spend time in the Freshman Academy discovering their own unique interests and then chose a home academy for their sophomore through senior year. The Freshman Academy provides additional time to explore courses offered by the six academies.

To learn more about the Academies of Shakopee, please visit our website: Shakopee.k12.mn.us

OUR ACADEMY CHAMPIONS

To learn more about the Academies of Shakopee, please visit our website: Shakopee.k12.mn.us

Academy Champions mentor our students and help give them the competitive edge to help ensure they are college and career ready.

Our Academy Champions are: 

Arts & Communication – Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Business & Entrepreneurship – HomeTown Bank

Engineering & Manufacturing – Shutterfly

Health Science – St. Francis Regional Medical Center

Human Services – City of Shakopee and Scott County

Science & Technology Academy – Entrust Datacard

Freshman Academy - Apple Autos

Academy Champions have made a commitment to give $300,000 worth of time, talents and

treasures. This doesn’t mean they are writing a check. This means they will give in a variety of ways some examples include: professional mentoring, involvement in course development ensuring relevant skills are being taught, sharing industry knowledge, internships, teacher externships,

industry-related equipment donations, etc.

OUR ACADEMY MODEL 

To learn more about the Academies of Shakopee, please visit our website: Shakopee.k12.mn.us

WHAT IS SHAKOPEE'S ACADEMY MODEL? The district’s academy model includes six career academies within one high school. We also have a Freshman Academy for all incoming 9th graders. Students select an academy as a sophomore. Each academy has its own physical location at Shakopee High School. The 644,600 square foot building has been customized to meet the needs of each academy. Each academy hub (two academies) has its own administrative and instructional team. WHAT TYPES OF INNOVATIVE INSTRUCTION HAPPENS WITHIN THE ACADEMIES? Students get a variety of real-world, authentic learning experiences to include inquiry learning, internship opportunities, individualized learning plans and personalized learning, 1:1 technology integration, teachers learning from and planning with industry experts, and programs of study with an in-depth sequence of courses. Traditional Model                                               Academy Model School Capacity: 3,200 students                    School Capacity: 3,200 students                                                                              (organized into smaller learning communities) Core classes based on state standards          Core classes based on state standards                                                                              (infused with the flavor of the academy to increase student                                                                                       engagement) Many AP/CIS courses available                       Many AP/CIS courses available Random selection of elective courses              Elective courses tied to career pathways to                                                                               create connections Fine Arts and World Language options            Fine Arts and World Language options Less likely to have a consistent teacher           Highly likely to have a consistent teacher for multiple                  for multiple semesters or one year                   semesters or multiple years            Little or no community or business                   High levels of community and business engagement in  engagement in development of courses           development of courses and experiences for students or experiences for students

THE ACADEMY MODEL 

To learn more about the Academies of Shakopee, please visit our website: Shakopee.k12.mn.us

WHAT IS FORD NEXT GENERATION LEARNING AND THEIR ROLE IN THE ACADEMIES? Shakopee Public Schools is partnering with Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL), a philanthropic non- profit arm of Ford Motor Company, which has helped many districts over the past 20 years to successfully transform their high schools. Ford NGL will help Academies of Shakopee learn from other district's experiences and give us access to many resources to include seminars, workshops and staff development; a proven planning process; and professional development opportunities. We have joined a collaborative network of districts all seeking to make the delivery of high school education more relevant, impactful and successful. We are fortunate to have been selected to become one of their partners. Their support will be funded through our annual professional development budget. Ford Next Generation Learning is a collaborative community-driven approach to achieve the following outcomes: increased community prosperity shared by all, a strengthened talent pipeline, young people prepared for college, careers, lifelong learning, and leadership, as well as educational equity and justice for all, and the capacity to contribute and go further. WHAT DOES FORD NEXT GENERATION LEARNING VALUE?  Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) comprises a network of mutually supportive communities that encourage one another to continuously improve.  They seek opportunities to innovate and go further in their quest to increase student achievement, improve workforce and economic development outcomes, and ultimately achieve community prosperity. WHAT IS FORD NEXT GENERATION LEARNING'S MISSION?  Global competitiveness depends more than ever on the role of K-12 education in establishing the strong foundation essential for preparing a 21st century workforce.  Ford NGL supports a growing number of communities that are committed to expanding and strengthening their networks of transformed secondary schools. These schools infuse the high expectations and academic rigor of college preparatory academic programs with the real world relevance and rigor of career and technical education (CTE).  Ford NGL uses the power of workplace relevance and business relationships to excite young people about education and to prepare them for college, careers and life.