Cutting-Edge Education

written by Bobbie Hayse

City schools’ innovation programs an asset to the community, Kentucky

Owensboro Innovation Academy opened its doors in August 2015, and along with that historical addition of a new high school came a shining spotlight on not just the area’s school systems, but also the city of Owensboro.

The STEM-based high school features students from Owensboro and Daviess County public school systems, as well as Hancock County Schools. A prominent feature of the school is its project-based learning for students.

In December 2019, then-Kentucky Commissioner of Education Wayne Lewis said the Owensboro Public Schools district is a Kentucky treasure, specifically for its emphasis on innovation and implementation of new schools to highlight STEM programming. For the efforts of OPS district leaders, the school system was given an award during the 2019 State of Education address.

Three other districts across the commonwealth were also given the Innovation & Excellence in Educational Leadership Award at that time, and Lewis said it was important to call attention to Kentucky schools and districts that are stretching their boundaries and showing good results in the process.

OIA is “absolutely one of those places,” Lewis said in 2019.

“I believe it’s one of the most innovative high school ideas in the state,” he said. “It took incredible leadership on the part of the board and the district’s administration to move in that direction.”

OIA came out of an idea to make the city schools district one of innovation. In 2014, the school was accepted into

the California-based New Tech Network, making it the first in the state to have such an affiliation. The New Tech Network is a nationwide consortium of more than 200 schools in more than 30 states.

PHOTO BY GREG EANS

OIA specializes in project-based coursework and offers hands-on learning as a way to immerse students in subject material. From robotics and engineering to STEM-driven curricula, OIA cultivates an educational environment that emphasizes collaboration and leadership.

Due in large part to the success of the original academy, Owensboro Innovation Middle School was developed and opened in 2019 as a feeder school to the OIA. The Innovation Middle, or iMiddle as it’s often referred, is modeled after OIA in that it also provides project-based learning for students. It is located at the former site of Owensboro Middle School South — previously known as the 5-6 Center — at 2631 South Griffith Ave.

The district completely renovated the school and made room for OIA students, who first entered the newly-remodeled classrooms in the 2020-21 school year, thus creating a full Owensboro Innovation Campus.

The $13.3 million project included energy and other mechanical items that needed upgrades, a new roof, new HVAC and new lighting. It also includes a complete re-design of the school, fitting for the innovative curriculum that takes place there.