LITTLE ROCK, Ark. ā The Pulaski County Special School District and Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation announced the establishment of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Academy of Business, Technology, and Community Impact at Joe T. Robinson High School and DRIVEN School of Opportunity on Thursday. The partnership between Arkansas Blue Cross, the Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation, and the Pulaski County Special School District expands career-connected learning opportunities for students through the Academies of Central Arkansas model.
All students from both high school campuses will have the opportunity to join the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Academy of Business, Technology, and Community Impact. As a result of this transformative partnership, students will participate in enhanced learning opportunities during all four years at Joe T. Robinson and DRIVEN School of Opportunity. Freshmen will participate in career awareness activities through guest speakers, independent research, and the Academies of Central Arkansas Annual Career Expo. Sophomores will explore careers through industry tours and college visits, while juniors will participate in job shadowing experiences and receive career mentorship. Seniors will complete employer-supported capstone projects and internship experiences developed collaboratively by Arkansas Blue Cross and academy faculty.
As a partner, Arkansas Blue Cross will collaborate with academy teachers and the Academy Coach to identify needed resources, workplace learning opportunities, essential workforce skills, and relevant industry certifications. Company representatives will provide mentorship, support project-based learning integrated into academic and career coursework and assist with curriculum development. Arkansas Blue Cross will also invest in equipment and financial resources to strengthen implementation of all pathways within their Academy, including Business Finance, Business Management, Cybersecurity, and Visual Arts and Design.
āArkansas Blue Cross recognizes the importance of giving students the opportunity to learn about, explore and experience real world activities that can help them see how they are gifted and if they are interested in future careers that are both promising and rewarding," Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross, said. āThe Academies of Central Arkansas has established an amazing program that we are proud to be a part of, and we are looking forward to providing some of those opportunities to Joe T. Robinson and DRIVEN high school students through our talented team at Arkansas Blue Cross.ā
Curtis Barnett, Arkansas Blue Cross President & CEO
Academy ambassadors Madison Millard, Joe T. Robinson senior, and Grace Johnson, DRIVEN School of Opportunity senior, praised the partnership and the school merchandise and beverage store, "The Drip", made possible through the partnership.
"It's going to be so much more than a store. It's going to be a real business where we can take what we learned in class and actually put it into practice,ā Millard explained. āOur accounting, marketing and management students will build business plans, learn how to manage and market the company, work with customers, and solve real world problems.ā
āOne thing the academies have taught me is that success doesn't happen all at once. It happens one step at a time through industry tours, job shadows, and opportunities to connect with professionals," Johnson added. āThese experiences help us discover what we are passionate about, what we may not want to do, and what steps we need to take next.ā
Grace Johnson (left) and Madison Millard smile after giving their speeches.
āFrom the very beginning, PCSSD has been very strategic and intentional every step of the way, taking the time to actually listen to students and parents, to understand and hear their future aspirations and goals, and then to redesign their offerings to align with those students' passions," said Markous Jewett, president & CEO of the Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation. āThat's no easy task, but that's exactly what PCSSD has done and has continued to do under the leadership of their school board Superintendent Jeff Senn, Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sonja Whitfield and Academy Director Kristen Herring, and many, many more folks involved in that work every single day.ā
āWe are committed to providing opportunities that ready our students for college, careers, military, or whatever path they choose after graduation,ā said PCSSD Superintendent Jeff Senn. āThis partnership with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield further strengthens PCSSDās commitment to making sure that every student has access to a rigorous education and meaningful experiences to support their future success.ā
The Academies of Central Arkansas represent a collaborative partnership among the region's business community, civic leaders, post-secondary institutions, and the Jacksonville North Pulaski, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County Special School Districts. Since 2018, these partners have worked together to implement the Academies model in every public high school across the three districts, achieving full implementation during the 2025 -2026 school year. Today, the Academies have established 171 partnership agreements with regional and statewide employers, higher education institutions, and community organizations, creating a robust network of support for career-connected learning. Over the past three academic years, these partnerships have provided students with 3,442 industry tours, 7,511 college visits, and 1,637 internships, while enabling them to earn 5,803 industry-recognized certifications and 5,246 college credits. During the same period, partners have contributed more than 30,000 volunteer hours and $2.12 million in equipment and financial support to strengthen academy programming.
About the Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation
The Academies of Central Arkansas Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as the regional convening organization for the Academies of Central Arkansas. The Foundation partners with participating public-school districts, as well as business, civic, and community leaders to expand career-connected learning opportunities that prepare every student for success in college, career, and life. For more information, visit www.academiesofcentralarkansas.org.
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 2,900 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 ā one in three Americans.
About Joe T. Robinson High School
Joe T. Robinson High School is a comprehensive public high school in the Pulaski County Special School District serving students in western Pulaski County. Offering rigorous course study through offerings such as Advanced Placement courses, students have the opportunity to blend academics with an exceptional athletic program and extracurricular programming to create a well-rounded student experience. Named for Arkansas Sen. Joseph T. Robinson and known as the Senators, Joe T. Robinson prepares students for college, career, military, and beyond.
About DRIVEN School of Opportunity
DRIVEN School of Opportunity is a public conversion charter high school within the Pulaski County Special School District serving students in grades 9-12. Established in August 2026, the school is grounded in a commitment to individual student achievement, responsibility, and excellence. Through Arkansas School Choice, students from across the region may attend DRIVEN.