Marshall University, Wayne County Schools and Empowerment Collaborative Launch Landmark Education Partnership

A new partnership will establish West Virginia’s first Marshall University-Anchored Empowerment Demonstration School, creating an innovative model for authentic learning, student leadership and career preparation.

Marshall University, Wayne County Schools and the Empowerment Collaborative have joined forces to establish West Virginia’s first Marshall University-Anchored Empowerment Demonstration School.

Launching with sixth-grade students, the initiative will expand by one grade level each year to develop a comprehensive Empowerment School model. The partnership is designed to transform the middle school experience by connecting academic learning with career exploration, leadership development and meaningful community engagement.

Students will participate in simulated workplace environments and authentic, project-based learning experiences aligned with academic standards. Through this approach, they will strengthen essential skills such as communication, collaboration, leadership and problem-solving while gaining early exposure to potential career pathways.

Each partner will play an important role in supporting the initiative. Wayne County Schools will provide operational leadership and serve as a demonstration site, while Marshall University will contribute expertise in educator preparation, educational research, continuous improvement and the statewide sharing of effective practices. The Empowerment Collaborative will help guide the implementation of the Empowerment School model and support the creation of engaging, real-world learning environments.

The partnership builds upon the encouraging results already seen in Empowerment Schools, including increased student engagement, improved attendance, fewer disciplinary referrals and stronger academic performance. Marshall University will help study and refine these practices while preparing future educators to bring innovative teaching strategies into their own classrooms.

The long-term goal extends beyond Wayne County. The partners envision a statewide network through which West Virginia schools can learn from successful Empowerment practices and create stronger connections among education, local communities and workforce development.

This collaborative effort represents an important step toward reimagining how students experience school and preparing them for continued success in college, their careers and life.