Little Rock Regional Chamber -

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (March 28, 2023) – The Academies of Central Arkansas announced today the establishment of the Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Academy of Health at Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School.  This partnership between Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Parkview High School and the Little Rock 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 Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield Academy of Health will benefit from enhanced learning opportunities throughout their four years at Parkview. 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 Arkansas Blue Cross, 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, Arkansas Blue Cross and Parkview will develop capstone projects and internship opportunities for senior students. As a partner, Arkansas Blue Cross will work collaboratively with Parkview High School teachers and their Academy Coach to identify the needed resources, learning opportunities, required skills for students, and relevant industry certifications for the mental and behavioral health pathway of study. They will provide mentorship and expertise on project-based learning embedded into coursework in both core academics and career classes. Arkansas Blue Cross will also provide needed equipment and financial resources for the implementation of the mental and behavioral health pathway of study.

“We are excited to become a partner with Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School,” said Curtis Barnett, president and CEO of Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. “It is especially exciting to be working alongside teachers and administrators to further develop and deploy the mental and behavioral health pathway of study. There are many rewarding career opportunities in the mental and behavioral health field, and we are looking forward to introducing students to the possibilities. There is great need in our state for mental and behavioral health services and care and we believe the youth of today hold great promise for making a positive difference in our state’s future.”

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 excited to kick off several weeks of Academies announcements with today’s partnership between Arkansas Blue Cross and Parkview High School. We need businesses engaged in our public high schools to provide relevance and real-life examples to students’ college and career preparation. Arkansas Blue Cross understands the important role it plays in that regard and is a shining example of that commitment. They are one of many companies stepping up to partner and lead the charge in transforming our public high schools in Pulaski County.”

“The Little Rock School District is fortunate to have many wonderful partners who are committed to the success of our students.  As we continue to reimagine LRSD and work collaboratively to ensure that each student is prepared for college and/or career, opportunities such as the one we are announcing with Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield today reinforce our efforts to provide 21st century educational experiences that make learning real and relevant.  This partnership is particularly timely in that it aligns desirable career pathways with simultaneously meeting the needs of our students and community while also addressing today’s challenges,” added LRSD Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright. 

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.