Little Rock Regional Chamber -

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (April 21, 2023) – The Academies of Central Arkansas announced today the establishment of the Central Arkansas Water Academy of Science & Construction.  This partnership between Central Arkansas Water, Maumelle High School and the Pulaski County Special School District is a core foundation for the Academies model of teaching and learning being implemented in public high schools throughout Pulaski County, better known as the Academies of Central Arkansas.

Students in the Central Arkansas Water Academy of Science & Construction will benefit from enhanced learning opportunities throughout their four years at Maumelle High School. In the upcoming school year, freshmen students will experience career exposure through classroom speakers and guest lecturers and will attend a career exposure event where Central Arkansas Water, along with other central Arkansas businesses, will showcase career opportunities. Sophomore students will be provided field trips and business tours and junior students will then be provided job shadowing opportunities. Together, Central Arkansas Water and Maumelle High School will develop capstone projects and internship opportunities for senior students.

As a partner, Central Arkansas Water has already begun collaborating with Maumelle High School teachers and the District Lead Academy Coach on curriculum advisement, industry credentials, hands-on learning opportunities to provide required skills for students, and needed financial resources to create a learning laboratory space for students.

Central Arkansas Water will be constructing that laboratory space on the Maumelle High School campus where students can participate in industry competitions such as backhoe rodeo and meter madness. Additionally, Central Arkansas Water will provide mentorship and expertise on project-based learning embedded into coursework in both core academics and career classes.

“We are very excited to introduce the Central Arkansas Water Academy of Science and Construction at Maumelle High School. It is truly extraordinary to help create this incredible environment of learning for those students who are considering careers in our industry or other construction industries. CAW is proud to be a part of this amazing transformation and we look forward to hiring graduates from this program to help ensure high-quality, affordable, abundant, and dependable water services for decades to come.” said Tad Bohannon, CEO of Central Arkansas Water.

The Academies of Central Arkansas is a joint initiative of the four public school districts across Pulaski County and the regional business community. In 2019, the Jacksonville North Pulaski, Little Rock, North Little Rock, and Pulaski County Special School Districts, together with the five Pulaski County chambers of commerce and business and civic leaders, began implementing high school academies within all public high schools in the county, serving all students.

Little Rock Regional Chamber President & CEO Jay Chesshir said, “We are so pleased to add Central Arkansas Water to the growing list of companies partnering with our public high schools as part of the Academies of Central Arkansas initiative. CAW’s commitment to educating our future workforce is unparalleled, and I am confident the students at Maumelle High School will be better prepared for college, career and life as a result of this partnership.”

"We are thrilled to announce Maumelle High School's new academy partnership with Central Arkansas Water. This collaboration offers our students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in water distribution, while also enhancing their college and career readiness skills,” said Maumelle High School Principal Jason Young. “We believe this partnership will not only benefit our students but also contribute to the sustainable development of our community. We are excited to see the positive impact this partnership will have on our students’ future success."

Implementation of the Academies of Central Arkansas will take several years to fully build out. Once completed, this educational approach will help transform high schools for all students within the four school districts. The Little Rock Regional Chamber is still actively recruiting business partners for all Academy high schools. Businesses interested in getting more information can reach out to the chamber directly or visit www.academiesofcentralarkansas.org.