Photo: West High School
Columbus City Schools (CCS) is reshaping the high school experience through The Academies of Columbus City Schools. The program organizes college and career connected learning paths that link classroom instruction with college programs, industry credentials, and real-world opportunities. Students at Beechcroft, East, Walnut Ridge and West High Schools explore collegiate options, careers, and build skills tied to Central Ohio’s growing industries.
“Before joining this Academy, I knew I wanted to be successful, but I wasn’t completely sure what career path I wanted to take,” said Nyla Carter, a freshman at Walnut Ridge High School. “I thought about going to college or possibly joining the Army, but I didn’t have a clear plan for how I would reach those goals.”
The result of The Academies is a high school experience designed to prepare students for college, careers, and life after graduation.
“The college and career connected learning [in The Academies] is designed to and rooted in choice and flexibility to transform the high school experience and prepare students for post-secondary options,” said Megan Noble, executive director of CTE & workforce at Columbus City Schools.
In The Academies of Columbus City Schools, students begin in the Freshman Academy, where they build community while exploring their interests before entering collegiate and career-focused courses directly tied to industries shaping Central Ohio’s workforce.
After completing the Freshman Academy, students choose a pathway aligned to their interests. Each pathway, such as the Center of Health Sciences at East High School or the Center of Smart Automation at Walnut Ridge High School, offers focused coursework, college credit, industry credentials and hands-on learning connected to local employers and college programs.
“Since becoming part of the Academy, the program has helped me learn more about my strengths, explore different career options, and think more seriously about my future,” Carter said. “Through the opportunities and support I’ve received, I’ve gained confidence and a better understanding of the steps I need to take after graduation. Now I plan to attend college and am also considering joining the Army to gain discipline and build a strong foundation for my future career.”
By the time students reach 10th grade, they officially move forward and continue their education within their specific Academy program. These students have built confidence and a strong foundation around their interests. As part of their college and career connected learning, students can participate in site visits to Fort Hayes Career Center and Columbus Downtown High School to learn more about expansive opportunities available to students in agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation systems.
Throughout their 11th grade and 12th grade year, students enrolled in The Academies have completed internships, earned industry recognized credentials, and are preparing to graduate with experiences connected directly to successful careers or collegiate experiences after high school graduation.
“Being a psychologist has always been my dream job, but during my Beechcroft Academy experience, I learned all about my aptitudes and especially that my aptitudes are transferable,” said Gabriella DePasquale, a freshman student at Beechcroft. “I learned that I can also be a CEO, run my own business, become a professor, or be a Life Coach. I am more open-minded about what [careers] can be for me.”
For students and families, The Academies of Columbus City Schools help students connect their interests to real opportunities. Students see the types of careers aligned with their interests, the salaries associated with those careers, and the colleges or training programs that lead to the career of their dreams.
“Through the Beechcroft Academy experience, I am also developing a plan for my future,” DePasquale said. “I understand how my grades and credits work, and I have a better understanding of college and career and the skills I need, the degrees to seek, and that I am building tomorrow today, and I am working on the Leader in Me every single day.”
Across Columbus City Schools, classrooms are becoming places where students test ideas, explore careers, and begin building the future they want to pursue. Through The Academies of Columbus City Schools, students are not waiting until after graduation to discover their path. They are gaining the knowledge, confidence, and real-world experience to move forward with purpose.
For many students, the journey toward college, career, and leadership is already underway. Inside these Academies, the next generation of leaders are already growing, here at CCS.
The Academies at Beechcroft High School
The Academies at Beechcroft High School
The Academies at Beechcroft High School prepare students for careers in advanced technology, entrepreneurship and sports health. Students explore how modern industries operate through hands-on learning in automation systems, digital technology and human performance. These pathways help students connect classroom learning to careers in engineering, business and health sciences.
Industry Credentials:
Students build skills used in advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, sports medicine, fitness training and business leadership.
- Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) Industry 4.0 Certifications
- Entrepreneurship and Social Media Marketing Certifications
- American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer
- Ohio High School Athletic Officiating License
College and Career Pathways
Students build skills used in advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, sports medicine, fitness training and business leadership. Graduates pursue college programs in engineering, business, kinesiology and health sciences or enter the workforce in technical and fitness industries.
Possible Local Employers:
- Worthington Industries
- American Electric Power (AEP)
- Battelle
- Honda Development and Manufacturing of America
- OhioHealth
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
The Academies at East High School
The Academies at East High School connect students to careers in health care and media production. Students gain hands-on experience in medical labs and digital media studios while learning how these industries impact communities. The programs combine strong academics with real-world skill development.
Industry Credentials:
- American Medical Certification Association Medical Assistant Certification
- Adobe Certified Professional Certifications
College and Career Pathways
Students prepare for careers in nursing, public health, medicine, broadcasting, journalism and digital media production. These credentials help students enter healthcare roles, media careers or continue into college programs across health sciences and communications.
Possible Local Employers:
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- OhioHealth
- Mount Carmel Health System
- WBNS-10TV
- The Columbus Dispatch
- WOSU Public Media
The Academies at Walnut Ridge High School
The Academies at Walnut Ridge High School focus on technology, aviation systems, logistics and digital communications. Students explore how modern transportation, supply chains and automation systems power the global economy. Hands-on learning prepares students for careers in engineering, aviation and communications.
Industry Credentials:
- Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) Industry 4.0 Certifications
- Aviation Flight and Ground Certifications
- Adobe Certified Professional Certifications
College and Career Pathways
Students gain skills used in advanced manufacturing, engineering technology, aviation management, logistics and digital communications. These pathways connect students to college programs in engineering, aviation, supply chain management and communications.
Possible Local Employers:
- Anduril Industries
- NetJets
- Rickenbacker International Airport
- UPS Supply Chain Solutions
- Cardinal Health
- WOSU
- The Columbus Dispatch
- WBNS–10TV
The Academies at West High School
The Academies at West High School prepare students for careers in health care, technology, marketing and innovation. Students study patient care, business development, digital marketing and information technology through hands-on projects and industry-connected coursework. These pathways help students explore careers across healthcare and the technology-driven business economy.
Industry Credentials:
- American Medical Certification Association Patient Care Technician Certification
- Adobe Certified Professional Certifications
- CompTIA Technology Certifications
College and Career Pathways
Students build skills for careers in nursing, healthcare support, digital marketing, information technology and cybersecurity. Graduates pursue college programs in health sciences, business, marketing and technology or enter the workforce with recognized credentials.
Possible Local Employers:
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- OhioHealth
- Mount Carmel Health System
- L Brands
- Huntington National Bank
- Amazon Web Services
- GBQ Partners Source: Columbus City Schools
