NKY Public Schools “Elevate” Regional Success
This blog was written by Brian Robinson, Superintendent, Fort Thomas Independent Schools and Chair, NKY Works Career Readiness Focus Area.
NKY Works is focused on leading and integrating workforce development services in Northern Kentucky. To accomplish this charge, we remain committed to ensuring our students entering the workforce are career ready, possessing the skills and competencies necessary for a thriving workforce. On September 29, 2025, at the Fall Convening of the Northern Kentucky Education Council, local superintendents unveiled a bold, unique and collaborative vision for the future of education in our region. The launch of the Elevate NKY Regional Scorecard marks a milestone moment, one rooted in partnership, purpose, and pride.
Elevate NKY began as a conversation, an honest and forward-looking dialogue between business leaders, K–12 educators, post-secondary institutions, and community partners organized through the Northern Kentucky Educational Cooperative (NKCES). Together, these stakeholders shared a common goal: to develop a shared understanding of the state of education in our region, to celebrate our successes, and to identify opportunities for meaningful collaboration.
This initiative is more than a scorecard, it’s a movement. It affirms that Northern Kentucky is not only a great place to live and learn, but also a destination region, a community that thrives when business, governance, education, and civic life unite to champion a shared vision for the future.
A Shared Vision for a Destination Region
Public education plays a vital role in Northern Kentucky’s continued success. The strength of our schools fuels the strength of our workforce, our economy, and our communities. We are proud of where we stand as a region, and we embrace our role in preparing a powerful, future-ready workforce who are equipped to take ownership of their futures and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our region.
The Elevate NKY Scorecard, available at nkces.org/elevate-nky, was designed with three key purposes in mind:
To be a trusted source of accurate, transparent information about the state of education in Northern Kentucky.
To celebrate the many regional successes that make Northern Kentucky a model for educational excellence.
To guide the continuous improvement work of the NKCES Leadership Team and Board of Directors as they collaborate with local districts, businesses, and community organizations.
This regional scorecard is more than a data dashboard; it’s a storyboard of success. It highlights the vibrant learning experiences happening every day in Northern Kentucky classrooms and provides a platform to share, scale, and strengthen those experiences across all districts. It will serve as a launchpad for new opportunities that connect every student to pathways for personal and professional growth.
Evidence of Excellence
Education in Northern Kentucky is thriving, and the data proves it. One powerful example can be found in our ACT performance. In Kentucky, every public-school junior takes the ACT, offering a true picture of academic readiness across the state and nation.
When we examine Northern Kentucky’s results, the story is clear:
Our regional composite average exceeds not only the state average, but also the averages of all other states that administer the ACT to all students.
Even more impressively, our average matches the national composite score for graduating students, even though only 36% of students nationally take the ACT, and those who do are typically college-bound.
This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication of our educators, the engagement of our families, and the commitment of our students.
Pride in Progress, Purpose in Partnership
While we have much to celebrate, we also recognize that continuous improvement is essential to sustaining excellence. Northern Kentucky’s public schools are committed to ensuring that every student has access to rich learning experiences, strong supports, and meaningful opportunities to achieve personal success.
The Elevate NKY initiative is our region’s call to action to continue building bridges between education, business, and community so that every learner can reach their full potential.
By working together, superintendents, teachers, families, business leaders, post-secondary institutions, and local governments, we can ensure that Northern Kentucky continues to shine as a destination region, a place defined not only by what we achieve individually, but by what we accomplish collectively.
Looking Ahead
Northern Kentucky’s story is one of collaboration, celebration, and continuous growth. The Elevate NKY Regional Scorecard is both a reflection of our past successes and a roadmap for future progress. It reminds us that we thrive together, and that our shared commitment to education will continue to elevate our region for generations to come.
Together, we are painting a bright future, one where every student is prepared, every community is engaged, and every success is shared.
Education is thriving in Northern Kentucky and our best days are still ahead.
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The NKY Works Career Readiness Focus Area is chaired by Brian Robinson and co-chaired by NaviGo’s Jennie LaMothe. It meets every other month, with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 19. The team is currently focused on increasing the number and quality of work-based learning opportunities available to students. Get involved with the team by contacting NKYWorks@NKADD.org.