Originally Published March 28, 2023
ACADEMIES OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS ANNOUNCES BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Partners with Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (March 28, 2023) – The Academies of Central Arkansas announced today the establishment of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Academy of Health at Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School. This partnership between Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Parkview High School and the Little Rock School District is a core foundation for the Academies model of teaching and learning being implemented in public high schools throughout Pulaski County, better known as the Academies of Central Arkansas.
Students in the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Academy of Health will benefit from enhanced learning opportunities throughout their four years at Parkview. In the upcoming school year, freshmen students will experience career exposure through classroom speakers and guest lecturers and will attend a career exposure event where Arkansas Blue Cross, along with other central Arkansas businesses, will showcase career opportunities. Sophomore students will be provided field trips and business tours and junior students will then be provided job shadowing opportunities. Together, Arkansas Blue Cross and Parkview will develop capstone projects and internship opportunities for senior students.
As a partner, Arkansas Blue Cross will work collaboratively with Parkview High School teachers and their Academy Coach to identify the needed resources, learning opportunities, required skills for students, and relevant industry certifications for the mental and behavioral health pathway of study. They will provide mentorship and expertise on project-based learning embedded into coursework in both core academics and career classes. Arkansas Blue Cross will also provide needed equipment and financial resources for the implementation of the mental and behavioral health pathway of study.
“We are excited to become a partner with Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School,” said Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “It is especially exciting to be working alongside teachers and administrators to further develop and deploy the mental and behavioral health pathway of study. There are many rewarding career opportunities in the mental and behavioral health field, and we are looking forward to introducing students to the possibilities. There is great need in our state for mental and behavioral health services and care and we believe the youth of today hold great promise for making a positive difference in our state’s future.”
Academies of Central Arkansas is a joint initiative of the four public school districts across Pulaski County and the regional business community. In 2019, the Jacksonville North Pulaski, Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County Special School Districts, together with the five Pulaski County chambers of commerce and business and civic leaders, began implementing high school academies within all public high schools in the county, serving all students.
Little Rock Regional Chamber President & CEO Jay Chesshir said, “We are so excited to kick off several weeks of Academies announcements with today’s partnership between Arkansas Blue Cross and Parkview High School. We need businesses engaged in our public high schools to provide relevance and real-life examples to students’ college and career preparation. Arkansas Blue Cross understands the important role it plays in that regard and is a shining example of that commitment. They are one of many companies stepping up to partner and lead the charge in transforming our public high schools in Pulaski County.”
“The Little Rock School District is fortunate to have many wonderful partners who are committed to the success of our students. As we continue to reimagine LRSD and work collaboratively to ensure that each student is prepared for college and/or career, opportunities such as the one we are announcing with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield today reinforce our efforts to provide 21st century educational experiences that make learning real and relevant. This partnership is particularly timely in that it aligns desirable career pathways with simultaneously meeting the needs of our students and community while also addressing today’s challenges,” added LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright.
Implementation of the Academies of Central Arkansas will take several years to fully build out. Once completed, this educational approach will help transform high schools for all students within the four school districts. The Little Rock Regional Chamber is still actively recruiting business partners for all Academy high schools. Businesses interested in getting more information can reach out to the chamber directly or visit www.academiesofcentralarkansas....
About Academies of Central Arkansas
The Academies of Central Arkansas is an initiative of the Little Rock Regional Chamber and utilizes the Academies model of teaching and learning. It is being implemented wall-to-wall within all four public school districts in Pulaski County. The model transforms the public high school experience by blending core academics with career and technical education. Students see relevance and better engage with their math, science, English, and social studies when taught through the lens of an occupation or industry theme that interests them. This model connects students’ learning with real world applications, preparing them not only for college, but for career and life. For more info visit www.academiesofcentralarkansas....
About Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Founded in 1948, Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, is the largest health insurer in Arkansas. Arkansas Blue Cross and its affiliates have more than 3.200 employees. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is comprised of 33 independent, community-based and locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans that collectively provide healthcare coverage for nearly 106 million members — one in three Americans.
About Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
Parkview Magnet High School has earned high National and metro-area rankings in the U.S. News Best High Schools report. Parkview was Arkansas' first and only complete interdistrict magnet high school. As a traditional magnet school, students assigned to Parkview will be assigned to a magnet area in science, choral music, orchestra, band, visual arts, drama, or dance. Students at Parkview are provided with an innovative, diverse, and comprehensive curriculum that fosters academic growth and enables students to meet the challenges of the future. As a magnet and academies high school, Parkview will provide expanded and specialized studies in fine arts and sciences through rigorous core curriculum, robust magnet programs, and unique pathway focuses.
MEDIA CONTACTS: | ||
Jay Chesshir President & CEO Little Rock Regional Chamber jchesshir@littlerockchamber.com 501-377-6002 | Pamela Smith Communications Director Little Rock School District 501-447-1030 | Max Greenwood Vice President, Government and Media Affairs Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield 501-378-2131 |