Soaring Beyond the Classroom: How a Public-Private Partnership Is Redefining Education at the Academy at Shawnee✈️

In a city defined by its relationship to the skies, from the global logistics hub at UPS to the storied history of Bowman Field, a new educational model is taking flight. The Academy at Shawnee has partnered with Flight Club 502, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to create an innovative, immersive learning environment that takes place not in a traditional classroom, but in a hangar at Bowman Field. This unique collaboration is a bold attempt to address systemic academic challenges by offering 17 JCPS students a compelling, high-value career pathway directly linked to a Private Pilot's License. 

A Flight Plan for Learning

The Academy at Shawnee is a prime example of the Academies of Louisville model in action, where every student is enrolled in a career-themed pathway, whether it's aviation, entrepreneurship, or health care. However, for a select cohort of students, the Academy at Shawnee's flight and aeronautics pathway takes them out of the traditional school building and into a dynamic, real-world learning environment: Bowman Field.

This isn't a simple field trip or after-school club; it's a full-time, immersive learning model. Students spend every school day at the airfield, where their core curriculum and aviation training are seamlessly integrated. This interdisciplinary approach is made possible through a partnership with the Pathfinder School of Innovation, JCPS's online school. Students complete their required coursework in subjects like math, science, social studies, and English virtually, giving them the flexibility to apply those lessons directly to their hands-on flight training. As JCPS CTE Instructional Lead James Moore notes, their classroom is "unlike any other," with students working on core subjects "right alongside their aviation training that includes flight lessons, air hours in the simulator, and FAA Ground School."

This unique learning environment is the result of a powerful public-private partnership. The Academy at Shawnee provides the institutional framework, and Flight Club 502, an aviation-focused non-profit, provides the hands-on instruction. This is a mutually beneficial arrangement, as the Academy is the only JCPS high school to offer a course that can lead directly to an FAA Private Pilot License, a key credential that would be difficult to provide on its own. 

The program's financial sustainability is a testament to the power of these collaborations. It relies on a blend of philanthropic support, corporate backing, and student-borne fees. Flight Club 502’s 501(c)(3) status allows it to attract donations, which reportedly go directly to youth programs. This has drawn the support of influential partners, including a donation from Mark and Kellie Carter and the "UPS Gives Back Program." This blended funding model, along with financial assistance options for students, ensures the program remains accessible while covering its significant operational costs.

Fueling Futures and Changing Lives

The initiative’s outcomes extend far beyond the technical skills of flying. The ultimate goal is to provide students with a tangible, high-value credential: the FAA Private Pilot's License upon graduation. For many, this is a direct flight path to a promising career. But the impact is not only measured in certifications; it is also profoundly personal and transformative.

A key outcome is the strong sense of community the program cultivates. It provides a "second home" for students, creating an environment where they feel safe, supported, and part of a collective mission. This powerful sense of belonging is a critical factor in student success, especially for those who may not have found their footing in a traditional school setting.

For senior Cameron Sloss, the program is a vehicle for change. As a student-athlete at the Academy at Shawnee, he wanted to "change the narrative" about his school and show kids "that they can reach a high goal." He understands the unique opportunity he's been given. "I know a lot of kids like me don't get this opportunity," he said, adding that despite the "hard courses," he feels the support from the staff "is going to benefit me very well." His perspective highlights the program’s deeper function as a social and economic intervention.

JCPS Superintendent Dr. Brian Yearwood echoes this sentiment, recognizing the program as a "dream opportunity" for students. He believes the "practical experience makes learning more engaging, more effective, because they're not only taking things from a textbook, they are looking at the application of knowledge." This hands-on, application-based learning is a powerful incentive for students who have struggled with traditional academic pathways to re-engage with their education and build a promising future.

An Innovative Model for Kentucky

While the Academy at Shawnee's aviation program is part of a larger trend of schools embracing career and technical education, its approach is truly groundbreaking within Kentucky. It stands out not only for its immersive, full-time design but also for its singular focus on leading students to a high-value, industry-recognized credential: the FAA Private Pilot's License. By creating a specialized, public-school pathway to this certification, the program provides a direct and accessible route into a high-demand career field.

The program’s initial success is a testament to the power of a shared vision between dedicated educators and generous community partners who recognize that the future of education lies in these types of real-world collaborations. As Dr. Yearwood stated, "This is trailblazing. This is one of the first, and we want to see a lot more happen." For Yearwood, a self-described aviation enthusiast who began working toward his own pilot's license, the program is a personal dream come to life. He hopes that one day, he will get to take a flight with one of his own students, watching them "actually flying and taking off as professional pilots."