More than 25 individuals, including students, trades workers, small business owners, and community leaders spoke before the Madison Metropolitan School Board on Monday night in support of the Forward Career and College Academy, a new career-focused charter school, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. They urged the board to approve it as a charter school with the district next month.
The school would offer local high school students paid internships and work-study programs in the trades and other high demand careers. The school would primarily serve low-income students and students of color, according to John McKenzie, the local philanthropist and real estate developer behind the proposed school.
If the school is approved, organizers intend to open it in fall 2026 with a cohort of 150 ninth graders. Organizers’ goal is to see enrollment grow to 600 students over the next three school years.
Supporters of the proposal include Michael Johnson, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County; Oscar Mireles, the recently retired Omega School director; and Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and the Philadelphia School District.
