In our April newsletter, we were proud to announce the addition of the Innovative Academies of Dayton Public Schools (Ohio) to the Ford NGL Network. However, this community is truly something special, and we wanted to share more about the remarkable journey they are undertaking – one that honors Dayton’s rich history while creating a future filled with opportunity for every student.
As Dr. Lawrence, Superintendent of Dayton Public Schools, notes, the district has literally “served the city of Dayton for hundreds of years” while remaining “deeply committed to preparing every student to thrive in an evolving global society” (Master Plan, p. 4). That commitment extends far beyond the school district itself. Joe Sciabica of the Employers’ Workforce Coalition, one of the organizations serving on the Convening Council guiding Dayton Public Schools’ Community Connected transformation, shared that “the future prosperity of the Dayton region depends on our ability to prepare young people for meaningful careers in the industries that are shaping tomorrow’s economy. … This is a moment of great promise for Dayton Public Schools and for our entire community” (Master Plan, p. 5).
What stood out to us was not only Mr. Sciabica’s powerful statement, but also the breadth of community leadership represented on the Convening Council itself. Alongside the Employers’ Workforce Coalition, the council includes Marvene Mitchell-Cook of Montgomery County Workforce Development, which serves more than 800 businesses across the county; educational consultant Scott Walthour; and Lauretta Williams of the Dayton Unit of the NAACP. Ms. Williams will also serve as the Community Coordinator, a key role that helps strengthen communication and collaboration between the Convening Council and the school district. Together, these leaders reflect the shared belief that preparing students for success is both a school responsibility and a community commitment.
As the Dayton community shared during its Master Plan presentation to Ford NGL, the city and surrounding region were once major Midwestern manufacturing hubs where generations of residents earned strong, middle-class wages. Dayton proudly carried the nickname “The Gem City,” reflecting the beauty, prosperity, and spirit of innovation for which it became known (Gem City History: Why Are We Called the Gem City?, 2018).
Like many communities across the Rust Belt, however, Dayton experienced significant economic challenges over the past several decades. As manufacturing facilities closed and employers left the region, poverty increased, and opportunity gaps widened.
The school district also experienced uneven population shifts and, over time, found itself offering certain programs and opportunities to some students but not all. Yet even as these challenges emerged, the city itself was beginning to reawaken economically, attracting new industries, employers, and investments. Community members spoke with great pride about Dayton’s history and its enduring identity as a city of “innovators, educators, and entrepreneurs who believe in the transformative power of education” (Master Plan, p. 10).
Today, that pride is being translated into action. Through the development of a Community Connected Portrait of a Graduate, the district’s Academic Action Plan, and a culture grounded in its 5Cs – Culture, Customer Service, Communication, Collaboration, and Commitment – Dayton Public Schools and its community partners have made a clear commitment: every student in every school will have access to high-quality career pathways. These pathways include career-connected learning, work-based learning experiences, opportunities to earn college credit, and access to industry-recognized credentials.
As the Innovative Academies of Dayton Public Schools shared their story, a palpable sense of purpose and possibility emerged among the Ford NGL team. Their reasons for choosing Ford NGL were compelling, but even more inspiring was the community-wide commitment behind the work. Rooted in inquiry, leadership, community voice, and equitable access, this transformation is designed not only to create opportunities for every K-12 student in Dayton Public Schools, but also to contribute to the long-term economic revitalization of the city itself.
Their vision is clear: every student will discover their purpose, graduate prepared, and have a pathway to success.
And if you ask those who attended the Master Plan presentation, they will tell you that Dayton’s passion for its students, its schools, and its future was impossible to miss. There was not a dry eye on Zoom that day.
Learn more about the Innovative Academies of Dayton Public Schools HERE.
References
Gem City History: Why are we called the Gem City. (2018, January 30). The Clarion. https://www.sinclairclarion.com/home/tartan-news/2018/01/30/gem-city-history-why-are-we-called-the-gem-city/
