writing samples and provide precise feedback. “It’s not replacing the teacher,” Baker clarifies.“It’s helping them do what they already do—just faster and more efficiently.” BUILDING PATHWAYS: FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER At the secondary level,Alexandria’s focus shifts from exploration to execution. The district has become a model for career and technical education (CTE) in a community that values both college readiness and workforce training. Baker, a former high school principal, recalls the shift in thinking that shaped his leadership philosophy. “Years ago, schools pushed every student toward college,” he says. “Now we understand that success doesn’t have one path. Some of our students will go into skilled trades, some into health care, and others into higher education—and all of those are valid.” When Baker first became principal, he replaced traditional “college visit” days with manufacturing tours, giving seniors a firsthand look at local employers and real workplaces. “A lot of students would say,‘I’ll work where my dad works,’ but they’d never actually seen the facility,” he explains. “After those tours, their eyes were opened.” The district now offers 10 CTE pathways, and is in the planning stages for new agriculture and diesel mechanics programs that reflect local workforce needs. “We’re a rural, farming community,” Baker says. “It made no sense that we didn’t have an ag education. That’s changing—and our next step is a diesel mechanic program in partnership with the regional career center.” Mr..Kyle says the results are already visible: “Students are earning certifications, building experience, and connecting with employers before graduation. We’re setting them up for success, whether they go to college or straight into the workforce.” DUAL ENROLLMENT AND COLLEGE CREDIT For students aiming to continue their education, Alexandria offers robust dual-enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) options. Through the Indiana College Core program, students who 171 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 12 ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION
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