Akron Public Schools (APS) announced today its partnership between North High School and Signet Jewelers, the global retail jewelry company headquartered in West Akron since 1910 and home to brands like KAY Jewelers, Zales and Jared. The partnership is part of the large community of businesses engaging with the College & Career Academies of Akron and the second named academy partner at North. Signet Jewelers will offer instructional support and real-world learning opportunities for the following pathways: Entrepreneurship & Marketing, HVAC/R, IT Support & Services, and Programming & Software Development. The academy will be named the Signet Jewelers Academy of Global Technology and Business.
“I was thrilled when I heard Signet Jewelers was joining College & Career Academies as our final named academy partner. Our students have enriching experiences with local companies and also from Akron-based companies with a presence around the globe. Just imagine the new possibilities Signet Jewelers will open for our students at North High School,” said Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack.
“At Signet, we’re continuous learners. We place a high priority on giving our team members resources and opportunities that grow their passion, not just their jobs in the jewelry industry, which has been at the heart of our success in delivering on our purpose of Inspiring Love,” said Howard Melnick, Chief Information Officer, Signet Jewelers. “We are beyond excited to partner with Akron Public Schools and the College & Career Academies of Akron to share this commitment to learning within Signet with our Akron-area high school students as they discover, grow and follow their passions and become tomorrow’s leaders.”
The collaboration between Akron Public Schools and Signet Jewelers was formed with the help of United Way of Summit & Medina. United Way serves as a link between the College and Career Academies of Akron and local businesses to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and to strengthen the education-to-employment pipeline in Summit County.
“It is vitally important for us to invest in tomorrow’s leaders and innovators,” said James Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina. “We are grateful to Signet Jewelers for helping students learn hands-on so they can develop their skills, pursue their passions and build a better future for our community.”
APS was designated a Ford Next Generation Learning Community in May 2017. Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is supporting the transformation of public high schools into career-themed academies to better prepare students for college and professional success in today's competitive global economy. College and Career Academies of Akron are supported by the following key strategic partners: GAR Foundation, United Way of Summit & Medina, ConxusNEO, Summit Education Initiative, and Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.
About Akron Public Schools:
Akron Public Schools (APS) enrolls more than 21,000 students and employs 3,000 teaching and non-teaching professionals in Northeastern Ohio. The district, one of the state's largest and most diverse, covers 62 square miles in a city of 195,000. APS educators are committed to rigorous teaching and learning, safe learning centers and community engagement to prepare young people to be well rounded and ready for the challenges of learning that follow in life. The goal of APS is to be the #1 urban school system in the United States. For more information about Akron Public Schools, visit
AkronSchools.com.
About Signet Jewelers:
Signet Jewelers Limited is the world's largest retailer of diamond jewelry. As a purpose-driven and sustainability-focused company, Signet is a participant in the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. Signet is a Great Place to Work–Certified™ company and has been named to the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for four consecutive years. Signet operates approximately 2,800 stores primarily under the name brands of KAY Jewelers, Zales, Jared, Banter by Piercing Pagoda, Diamonds Direct, JamesAllen.com, Blue Nile, Peoples, H. Samuel, Ernest Jones and the jewelry subscription service Rocksbox. Further information on Signet is available at
www.signetjewelers.com.
About United Way of Summit & Medina:
United Way of Summit & Medina takes on the issues that matter most to children and families. We pursue Bold Goals through forward-thinking strategies, innovative programs and hands-on work in our community. We team up with private and public leaders, local businesses and thousands of volunteers from across our community to create change that matters. Together, we are hand raisers. Game changers. Because there’s a better future in store for our community, and the time is now to make it happen. Learn more at
uwsummitmedina.org.
Our student ambassadors join the Signet/APS team for College & Career Academies at this morning's announcement.