Mission
The Pathways Partnership was formed to create a sense of possibility in the minds of Kansas City Kansas Public School students that college is an affordable and accessible option to them from associate degree completion at Kansas City Kansas Community College to bachelor's degree completion at KU Edwards Campus.

The Leadership Academy is designed to educate and inspire Kansas City Kansas Public School middle school students to take the lead in achieving their college and career aspirations. The academy is set-up in a two-tiered system. Year-one students participate in workshops that focus on positive leadership skills. Year-two students tour college campuses and explore college options early.

The Leadership Academy includes the following curricula:

1. Team Building Exercises
   1. Establishing ground rules with all participants to create buy-in
   2. Group picture and group reflection
   3. Warm-Up each morning to build a sense of community

2. Group Sessions
   1. Interpersonal and Small-Group Communication
   2. Team Building
   3. Managing Conflict
   4. Understanding Diversity
   5. Decision Making/Goal Setting

 

3. Creativity Workshops (selected by individual students) may include:

1. Graphic art (Video production)
2. Creative Writing
3. Science
4. Dance

Visit from the Freedom Writers
The story of the Freedom Writers begins with Erin Gruwell, a first-year teacher in an urban school district in Long Beach, CA. She encouraged her students to change their lives through writing. Together her class told their stories in a diary that was published. They started an organization where they shared their stories with other students like themselves. The proceeds from the diary and speaking tours pay for each of the Freedom Writers to continue their education. Their story was told in a major motion picture titled, "The Freedom Writers."

The Leadership Academy participants are guided by academy leaders who are college students currently attending one of the KU campuses or Kansas City Kansas Community College.

• To increase the percentage of Kansas City Kansas Public Schools graduates who attend college
• To promote, coordinate and integrate with the Family Advocate System.
• To support teachers with parent and student engagement strategies that encourage students to attend college
• To work with Small Learning Community coordinators in professional workshops
• To give teachers support and enhance their training without creating additional work
• To help establish the Career Fest program that focuses on:
  • Partnering students from Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools with local business leaders
  • Building relationships between middle school students and local (or community) business leaders
  • Boosting knowledge and showcasing community needs