The back-to-school season is always filled with energy, but across our network this fall, something even more powerful is happening. Communities are leaning into the FNGL Community Connected Academy Model, a proven approach that puts students at the center of learning while building bridges with local partners, businesses, and leaders. When students are given real opportunities to lead, to engage with their community, and to connect their classroom learning to the real world, they do more than succeed in school—they begin to shape their futures with confidence and purpose.
This fall, our network is celebrating powerful examples of students stepping into leadership roles, taking on opportunities that connect them to their communities, and gaining experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime. From Michigan to Indiana to Missouri and beyond, these stories remind us that every community has its own way of living out the Community Connected Academy Model—and together, we are creating a movement centered on student success.
Center Line Public Schools – Building Leaders Through Dale Carnegie
In Center Line, MI, the Academies of Center Line student ambassadors participated in a Dale Carnegie workshop called Nine Steps to Becoming a Successful Leader. Students learned practical strategies for remembering names, sparking conversations, and making lasting first impressions. These timeless leadership and communication skills help them become approachable, confident leaders who can thrive in school, in the workplace, and in the wider community.
Fort Wayne Community Schools – Launching the First Student Ambassador Program
In Fort Wayne, IN, this fall marks an exciting milestone with the launch of the district’s first Student Ambassador Program. Through the Schools of Success initiative, ambassadors are stepping into roles that extend well beyond the classroom. They will lead projects, guide peers through career exploration, and represent the district at events and tours. The program reflects FWCS’s commitment to nurturing leaders who embody creativity, accountability, and collaboration.
Shakopee Public Schools – Students, Business, and Community Driving the Future
In Shakopee, MN, more than 80 business leaders, educators, and student ambassadors came together to focus on real-world learning and career readiness. The Academies of Shakopee ambassadors were front and center in these conversations, ensuring student voice was heard in shaping opportunities for the future. It is a powerful example of the Community Connected Academy Model in action, where students, schools, and business leaders partner to build career-ready pathways.
Raytown Quality Schools – A Superhero Spirit for Students
In Raytown, MO, the school year kicked off with a creative video featuring Dr. Martin Knox, a superintendent portrayed as a fearless superhero. The message was clear: the extraordinary work of educators, leaders, and ambassadors is all about empowering students to dream big and achieve more. Raytown’s celebration captured both joy and determination, setting the tone for a year centered on student opportunity and growth. Watch it here.
New Washington Academies – Peer to Peer Leadership in Action
In Greater Clark County, IN, student ambassadors at New Washington Academies gathered for an experience that prepared them to support elementary and middle school ambassadors. These gatherings are more than training—they are opportunities for peer leadership, mentoring, and building strong friendships across academies. By connecting with each other, these students are living proof of how leadership can be cultivated across grade levels and throughout the community.
A Network That Learns and Leads Together
Taken together, these stories show what happens when schools embrace the FNGL approach to the Community Connected Academy Model. Each community finds its own way to bring students and local partners together, but the shared vision is clear: every student deserves opportunities that are engaging, relevant, and connected to their future.
Our network is learning from one another and lifting up examples of how powerful it is when students are at the center. This fall, we celebrate not just the start of a new school year, but the ongoing commitment of our schools and communities to create futures filled with possibility and purpose for all students.
