With each new session I go through in the nine-month Leadership Vicksburg process, I learn new things about our community, and Wednesday I got a little better look at the Vicksburg Warren School District, thanks to several officials visiting our class and Warren Central High School hosting our group. 

We heard a lot of information over the course of the day, but having a chance to listen to Deputy Superintendent Dr. Cedric Magee explain how the academies work – and hearing my classmates ask questions – was really informative and even impressive

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the academies, three exist at Vicksburg and Warren Central high schools and River City Early College and they are best described as being schools within the schools. Each school houses the ACME (Architectures, Construction, Mechatronics and Engineering), CAB (Communications, Arts and Business), and HHS (Health and Human Services) academies, which all combine to form the VWCCA (Vicksburg Warren College and Career Academies). 

Each of these academies focus on a different set of skills and concepts that help prepare students for college or career fields after high school. But, what’s really impressive to me is how the students are placed in one of the three academies. It’s a simple process. In eighth grade, students are assessed and placed in one of the three academies based on their interest in, and aptitude for, certain fields. Of course, these students still must take the state-mandated courses we all did in high school, namely English, math, science and social studies, but the idea of specialized academies helps narrow their focus when choosing electives, something I certainly wish had been available to me at that age.

And there’s even the opportunity to change academies once during their high school careers if, for whatever reason, they feel the one they were placed in isn’t really for them. Dr. Magee explained it gives students the opportunity to change direction once, without allowing for the possibility of multiple transfers over the course of four years.

Taking it all in yesterday, I was very impressed with the VWSD’s plan, its ability to consider the pitfalls and hurdles that might arise and the overall use of these programs in helping guide students along their paths to graduation. As parents and teachers know, each student is different, but all of them have their own strengths, and how they can best utilize those strengths is not something that can be properly cultivated in a one-size-fits all high school experience. The academies, coupled with internship opportunities in our community, an available counselor for each academy and an overall focus on what students do well – as well as what they enjoy – sounds like a recipe for success I’m excited to continue covering in the future.

Toward the end of our session yesterday, we had an opportunity to travel to Warren Central High School and have some informal conversations with seniors. We talked about the wide range of career fields our class members represent, answered questions and even asked a few questions ourselves. And it was both enlightening and uplifting. These students, all of whom are on the cusp of adulthood, may still be teenagers, but they are clearly giving serious thought to their futures and asking the tough questions people at that age should be mulling over before making some really important decisions. 

At the end of the day, I left feeling pretty good about the next generation of leaders for our city and county. Some of these students will be in college next year; some will be serving our country; and some will be jumping right into the workforce. But, thanks to the way the VWSD is coaching them up throughout their high school careers, thanks in large part to the implementation and cultivation of the academies, it feels like the future of Warren County is a bright one.

Blake Bell is the general manager and executive editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at blake.bell@vicksburgpost.com.