You would not expect to find a entirely performing automobile repair service shop, a well being lab, a comprehensive-service cosmetology studio and an power coaching lab when going for walks through the entrance doors of most neighborhood substantial educational institutions, but which is exactly what you will obtain at Maplewood Large School. 

Maplewood, a single of 12 Metro high colleges that make up the Academies of Nashville, offers learners 5 appealing and sensible Academies pathways – every single one particular created to aid pupils produce their personal superior faculty knowledge. The Academies build special experiences for all students, via job shadowing, experiential understanding chances, visitor speakers and networking with business professionals.

Just talk to James Rigsby, a junior in Maplewood’s Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation who is translating his enjoy of “tinkering” on autos into a fulfilling education and learning and fulfilling occupation by means of the Automotive Maintenance and Gentle Maintenance pathway.

“It’s aided me since [my teacher] has taught me far more than I assumed I would at any time know,” he stated. “If I go to trade faculty, I know I’ll have extra information than every person else.”
Rigsby has options to focus in diesel engines following graduation – but whilst he’s in college, he’s collaborating in palms-on mastering in the Firestone Finish Car Treatment Store. The Car Care Shop is additional than just an appealing classroom total of motor vehicle components and tires auto maintenance store in which college students learn and receive palms- on studying from their teacher, T.J. Williams.
For Academy Mentor Lanedria Marshall, the fingers-on encounters students take part in – whether or not in the automobile store, the cosmetology studio, or in any other pathway classroom – are what make the Academies so impactful for all college students.
“The Academy model allows college students experience all of these distinct items although students are still in faculty,” she stated. “It definitely delivers so many different activities to life.” 
What started as a particular passion for Rigsby has turned into field certifications and other finding out encounters that go outside of the classroom.
“I search ahead to coming again immediately after graduation and chatting to other pupils to show them what they can get out of this plan,” he mentioned.
The Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation features two other pathways, together with the Automotive Upkeep and Mild Mend pathway:
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- Entrepreneurship, taught by Roger Jones
- Cosmetology, instructed by Sonja Colquitt


Maplewood is also home to future architects, engineers and electricians, thanks, in part, to the school’s Academy of Well being and Electrical Providers, which properties the Electrical power and Power Distribution pathway.
Junior Bernardo Diaz is one of those pupils enrolled in the Strength and Electric power Distribution pathway, an expertise established by Academy companions Stansell Electric and Nashville Electric Service.
Diaz credits his pathway with not only appealing projects – like making parallel circuits and doing the job in the out of doors Vitality and Electricity Training Lab – but also with maximizing his total large faculty working experience.
“[The pathway] assisted me get more into substantial school and built me experience much more comfy,” he reported. “I am in a position to stay related to my other classmates when we operate on jobs with each other.”
And, in a university like Maplewood, bustling with virtually 700 learners, generating group for college students is an crucial component of the college day. Because pathway students get a ton of the similar programs and lessons at the similar time, they are able to hook up with each and every other and aid each and every other.
“The more compact learning communities designed by the distinct pathways aid pupils create bonds that can be daily life-switching,” Marshall claimed.
Alongside with the Energy and Electric power Distribution pathway, the Academy of Health and Electrical Products and services also contains two other pathways:
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- Diagnostic Services
- Therapeutic Solutions
- Lecturers: Megan Lawrence and Heather Casteel



Kennedy Environmentally friendly, a senior at Maplewood, is enrolled in the Therapeutic Companies pathway, which prepares college students to perform in the high-demand from customers health and fitness care subject.
Beyond her fingers-on experience in course and in the on-internet site, Ascension St. Thomas Medical Most important Care Clinic, Inexperienced is also using edge of dual credit programs, the place she earns both high university and college or university credit rating simultaneously.
“It usually means a ton to me to be given the chance to consider a faculty training course, particularly for some thing that I am seriously passionate about,” Green stated. “I really feel like having that credit rating will provide a lot more interest to me when I’m implementing for faculties, since they will [see that I] currently have a minor bit of knowledge in anatomy and physiology or in biology.
“I truly feel like it does give me an edge, but it also helps folks recognize: Is this one thing you want to do when you get to school? Are you passionate about it? Is it anything that you see you doing in the extensive run?”
Academies of Nashville at Maplewood Superior Faculty
Academy of Entrepreneurship and Innovation
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- Automotive Routine maintenance and Gentle Restore, which includes the Firestone Finish Car Treatment Shop
- Entrepreneurship
- Cosmetology




Academy of Wellbeing and Electrical Providers
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- Strength and Ability Distribution
- Diagnostic Expert services
- Therapeutic Companies




Maplewood also offers Twin Credit rating classes, Twin Enrollment classes, and Field Certifications.
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