Agreement extends commitment for three more years at North High School
Akron Public Schools (APS) announced yesterday a three-year renewal of the partnership agreement between Akron Children’s Hospital and North High School. Through the partnership, Akron Children’s Hospital will continue to offer instructional support and real-world learning opportunities for students in the Akron Children’s Hospital Academy of Health and Human Services.
Akron Public Schools Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack is aware of the special nature of this partnership, saying, “With this wonderful collaboration, Akron Children’s Hospital has created unique and creative experiential learning opportunities for our students.” She added, “The best part is the hospital continues to deepen the relationship with us and our students with innovative ideas. What they have brought and will continue to bring is a gift for our students and their families.”
“We’re excited to renew and expand this successful partnership with Akron Public Schools,” said Chris Gessner, president and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital. “Since our involvement with the APS academies began in 2016, graduation rates at North High School have increased 26 percent, proving that hands-on experiences, job shadowing and internships make a motivational difference for students. We’re proud to play a part in that achievement and hope to continue to see exponential academic progress during the next three years. It is wonderful to be able to expand our involvement and work with even more students at Ellet and Jennings. It truly is a win-win situation for both APS and Akron Children’s as we work together to train and retain the future health care workforce in Akron and beyond.”
The collaboration between Akron Public Schools and Akron Children’s Hosptial was formed with the help of United Way of Summit & Medina. United Way serves as a link between the College and Career Academies of Akron and local businesses to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and to strengthen the education to employment pipeline in Summit County.
“We are grateful to Akron Children’s Hospital for demonstrating its commitment to our community’s future by renewing their partnership with the College & Career Academies of Akron,” said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit and Medina. “Expanding health equity is a key part of United Way’s mission, and achieving it will require a new generation of skilled health professionals. By giving students hands-on learning experiences and real world skills, Akron Children’s Hospital is helping to ensure that our community will have the talent pool to ensure every resident can achieve a healthy life.”
APS was designated a Ford Next Generation Learning Community in May 2017. Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is supporting the transformation of public high schools into career-themed academies to better prepare students for college and professional success in today’s competitive global economy. College and Career Academies of Akron are supported by the following key strategic partners: GAR Foundation, United Way of Summit & Medina, ConxusNEO, Summit Education Initiative, and Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.