At Lawrence USD 497’s College & Career Academy, students are at the center of a learning experience that will launch them into the next phase of their lives. 

“I’ve always believed that students should be the CEO of their own learning,” Superintendent Anthony Lewis said recently.  

For its work in helping at-risk students graduate and choose a career path, the College & Career Academy was one of three programs nationally last year to win the Magna Award, sponsored by the National School Boards Association. 

At the academy, students receive one-on-one mentoring, mental health services and CTE pathways training. The academy was created in 2020 as the district sought ways to reverse declining graduation rates. 

"Starting during the COVID pandemic wasn’t easy, but about 100 students have gone through the program and graduated since then. Without this program, many of these students wouldn’t have graduated," said Bill DeWitt, who is the principal at the academy.  

DeWitt said many students were simply getting lost at Lawrence’s two primary high schools for various reasons.  
The academy, which was created using existing district resources, provides academic and career development. The teachers are regularly in contact with parents and families. 

“You are dealing with very challenging behaviors, motivations, backgrounds, interests, families, but it’s highly rewarding,” DeWitt said. 
Lawrence School Board President Kelly Jones said it is inspiring to see the students focused on their paths and proud of their work. 

At a board meeting in 2021, students from the academy related their stories of success.  

The Lawrence Times reported that Senior Gracyn Garrett said she was thinking of dropping out of high school, but the academy gave her hope and a plan to graduate with training in food handling, child development and nursing.  

“It’s no flattery or exaggeration to say that this school saved my life,” she said. “They have given me the materials to build my skills and the confidence to know that my past doesn’t have to define me, that I’m intelligent, capable and prepared to handle what comes next.”