Schools of Success
Schools of Success is the model Fort Wayne Community Schools developed to ensure all students are prepared for life after graduation. Through the pathway model, students gain the knowledge, experiences and skills needed for long-term success, whether they enroll in higher education, enlist in the military or enter the workforce as an employee or entrepreneur.
Middle School Matters
Each student’s journey through the FWCS Schools of Success starts the moment they enter Fort Wayne Community Schools. In middle school, students participate in guaranteed experiences and opportunities to build knowledge related to the three Schools of Success: Health Sciences and Human Services; Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology and Trades and Business and the Arts.
Students learn about pathways they can follow in high school and the option to take courses on campus in their home school or off campus at Amp Lab or the FWCS Career Academy. These future programs may seem far off, but the choices and experiences in middle school help students make informed decisions when the time come to choose their pathway.
The FWCS Schools of Success focuses on three career areas:
- Health Sciences & Human Services: Focuses on careers that support healthcare, social work, early childhood education and public safety.
- Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology & Trades: Prepares students for hands-on, technical careers in fields like advanced manufacturing, construction, automotive and engineering.
- Business & the Arts: Covers a wide range of creative careers including marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, graphic design, digital media and performing arts.
Explore More
For more information about each pathway and Schools of Success, click the button below.
Guaranteed Experiences
Guaranteed Experiences are provided to all students in all schools during the school year. Through these experiences, students form community connections, explore industry and learn about local cultural landmarks.
For more information about our Guaranteed Experiences happening at other grade levels, click the button below.
Portrait of a Graduate
From the moment students enter FWCS, they are introduced to their designated profile, Explorer, Connector or Graduate, displayed in every school. These profiles were designed to highlight the skills, traits and knowledge FWCS aims for its students to possess as they progress through each stage of their education.
These Portrait Profiles are deeply aligned with the district's Schools of Success Pathways, offering clear, structured routes through areas to form a system that supports students from early learning through graduation.
Portrait of an Explorer (elementary)
- Skilled
- Experienced
- Prepared
- Connected
Foundational literacies, early creative & social skills
Portrait of a connector (Middle School)
- Skilled
- Experienced
- Prepared
- Connected
Skill-building and community connections in a growing context
Portrait of a graduate (high school)
- Skilled
- Experienced
- Prepared
- Connected
Real-world preparedness, advanced skills, post-secondary readiness
Off-Site Pathway Opportunities
We believe students are never too young to start discovering what’s possible as they move through our district. Even in middle school, learning about future opportunities helps students stay motivated, set goals and make choices that matter and excite them.
Programs like the Amp Lab at Electric Works and FWCS Career Academy may not begin until high school, but knowing they exist gives students a clear vision of where their education can take them.
Amp Lab
FWCS Amp Lab is a hands-on, project-based learning program for high school juniors and seniors, located at Electric Works. It focuses on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, allowing students to work on real-world projects with local businesses. The goal is to prepare students for college, careers, or starting their own ventures through collaboration and critical thinking.
FWCS Career Academy
The FWCS Career Academy serves high school juniors and seniors who choose hands-on, off-site learning opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom. These programs are designed to give students real-world experience in their chosen field.