His physician father recognized that Rohan’s verbal and reading skills were not up to par, so he enrolled him in the ACS program to help him grow. Initially, his academic strengths were mathematics, logic, and reasoning, but he needed more than just traditional tutoring. What he found at ACS was a transformative experience that helped him unlock his full potential. “I was a student who needed both structure and intellectual challenge. ACS gave me that and so much more,” Rohan recalls. Tailoring Education to Every Student At the ACS Foundation, education is not a one-size-fits-all model. “We believe education should be personal, purposeful, and transformative,” says Mr. C. William Coakley, president of the ACS Foundation. “Every student deserves to be recognized as a whole person and engaged with intention.” The ACS philosophy is rooted in the idea that education goes beyond academic success. It focuses on the holistic development of students, intellectually, personally, and professionally. ACS creates individualized learning plans for each student, ensuring their strengths and weaknesses are nurtured. For Rohan, this meant working with Mr. Coakley to tailor his curriculum around reading, writing, and grammar while leveraging his math and logic strengths. Rohan’s time at ACS equipped him with the skills to score a 35 on the ACT, with individual scores of 35 in both reading and English proving that when students are given the right tools, they can achieve extraordinary results. Long-Term Mentorship and College Prep: More than Just Test Scores ACS is not just about preparing students for exams; it’s about preparing them for life. When students join the program, they are mentored and guided through every step of their academic journey. This includes one-on-one support in college research—helping them understand which schools would best align with their values, goals, and interests. Rather than focusing solely on Ivy League schools, ACS emphasizes finding the best fit for each student. This philosophy extends to the writing process as well. “We don’t just help students write essays; we help them tell their stories,” explains Rohan. ACS’s writing program is unique in that it focuses on personal identity—helping students craft essays that reflect who they are, what they stand for, and how they will contribute to the college community. During his college application process, Rohan worked through several drafts of his personal essays, with Mr. Coakley guiding him through every step—sometimes revising upwards of 30 drafts to ensure they were perfect. This process was transformative for Rohan, and he uses these skills today in his academic and professional life, from internship applications to research positions at the University of Michigan, where he currently majors in Aerospace Engineering..

As St. John Regional Catholic School (SJRCS) approaches its 200th anniversary, it thrives as a vibrant, faith-centered learning community. Guiding nearly 700 students from seven local parishes in Frederick, Maryland, it is one of only two regional schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Rather than being tied to a single church, it draws enrollment and support from multiple parishes. This unique structure allows SJRCS to foster a diverse school culture while remaining deeply rooted in Catholic tradition. “We hold our students to high academic and moral standards, and that combination appeals to our community,” says Kim Hanner, Principal. With two classrooms in Pre-K3 and three classrooms in every grade from Pre-K4 through eighth grade, SJRCS draws a thriving community of students. A testament to its reputation for blending rigorous academics with strong character formation. Central to the school’s philosophy is the CRUX framework: Courageous, Responsible, Unselfish and Christlike. The X is actually the Chi-Rho symbol, which stands for Christ. Teachers reinforce these values daily through a positive behavioral interventions and supports system, where students earn Wildcat Cards for positive actions. Such moments of encouragement often spark deeper experiences of faith. Mrs. Soto recalls one student who used his Wildcat Cards to buy raffle tickets for a gift card, prayed the night before to win, and beamed the next day when his name was called. “I got on my knees last night,” he told his teachers. For Soto, the joy came from his win and witnessing a child connect prayer to everyday life. Weekly or biweekly praise and worship sessions bring the entire school community together, reinforcing that, at SJRCS, faith isn’t just taught but developed from within and strengthened through shared experience. Supporting this growth is a well-rounded curriculum, which offers core subjects ELA, math, science, social studies and religion, complemented by art, music, Spanish, PE and technology for younger grades. Seventh and eighth graders have Spanish twice a week, while technology is integrated into their coursework. To prepare students for the digital world, SJRCS provides Chromebooks, uses Google Classroom and leverages online tools. .

Innovation, strong industry partnerships, and steady enrolment growth are the hallmarks of a thriving college. Together, they create a cycle in which students gain relevant, hands-on skills, employers find job-ready talent, and communities benefit from a stronger workforce. The best schools do not just teach; they adapt, anticipate, and lead, ensuring their graduates can excel in rapidly changing industries. In central Wisconsin, Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) stands at the forefront of this model. Known for its cutting-edge facilities, close ties with employers, and programs shaped by real-world demands, Mid-State has become a driving force for workforce readiness and regional economic growth. With campuses in Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point, and its main campus in Wisconsin Rapids, the College serves an expansive district of 2,500 square miles across eight counties. The College focuses on delivering career-centered education through hands-on learning, industry partnerships, and innovative technology. With an enrolment of approximately 5,000 students, it offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates and industry credentials across a wide range of fields, all designed to meet the region's evolving workforce needs. A significant aspect of Mid-State’s educational philosophy is its commitment to innovation. The College continuously integrates advanced technologies and real-world training into its programs. Two standout examples are the Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering Technology, and Apprenticeship (AMETA^TM) Center and the Healthcare Simulation Center. These facilities embody the college's forward-thinking approach to education, combining hands-on experience with state-of-the-art technology to prepare students for Industry 4.0 careers and critical roles in healthcare. The AMETA Center is a hub for advanced manufacturing training, featuring equipment such as robotic welding systems, computerized numerical control (CNC) fiber lasers, and automated mobile robots. Students gain invaluable experience with the latest technologies used in advanced manufacturing, civil engineering, and mechanical design. By working with these tools, they are better prepared to enter the workforce and meet the high demands of industry employers. Similarly, the Healthcare Simulation Center offers immersive clinical training for nursing, EMT, and allied health students. With high-fidelity mannequins and hospital-grade technology, the center enables students to practice real-life patient care scenarios before stepping into clinical environments. Another element that sets Mid-State apart is its focus on partnerships. Nearly 370 employers and employees, representing 275 organizations, serve on the College's academic program advisory committees. These partnerships ensure that Mid-State’s curriculum aligns with industry needs and that students graduate with the skills employers are seeking. The development of the AMETA Center itself was made possible through over $23 million in public-private partnerships, further demonstrating Mid-State's ability to leverage these collaborations for the benefit of its students and the local economy..