Akron Public Schools was designated a Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) Community on May 16, 2017.  The Ford NGL model mobilizes educators, employers, and community leaders to prepare a new generation of young people who will graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and life—prepared to compete successfully in the 21st century economy. 

Ford NGL blends the expertise of stakeholders within and across communities. Three distinct but interconnected strands comprise the Ford NGL framework, which enables whole communities to design and carry out a long-term plan for revitalizing education.



Akron Public Schools was fortunate to have a diverse group of 50 business, civic and university leaders step forward to form a College and Career Academies of Akron Steering Committee in the summer of 2017.  They provided input and oversight to the work of 14 tactical teams and the creation of a three-year master plan for the academies. 

Joining the Ford NGL network is a tremendous opportunity that will enable Akron Public Schools to create sustainable systems of community engagement and secondary school transformation. The goal of the district is to begin the transition to wall to wall Freshman Academies in the 2018-19 school year, with full transition to wall to wall College & Career Academies during the 2019-20 school year.