Where Purpose Meets Opportunity: Reflecting on Career Exploration at TLA

As another calendar year draws to a close, I’m filled with gratitude—for our scholars, for our families, and for the strong network of community partners who support every step of our journey. Our Beloit and surrounding community partners are truly inspiring and they are always willing to go the extra mile to support our scholars.  We have an amazing network of people who care deeply about the success of our scholars and our future.

Connecting Career Exploration & Community

From the very beginning, we have emphasized how our community partners—local businesses, civic organizations, and caring individuals—make our scholars’ learning experiences more impactful, more hands-on, and deeply rooted in Beloit. That remains as true today as ever.

When community members speak in our classrooms, host job shadows, or mentor our scholars, they do far more than just share their time. They expand our scholars’ sense of what is possible. This partnership fuels our work-based learning model, which requires high school scholars to complete either a 90-hour Internship or a 450-hour youth apprenticeship before graduation.

Our Career Exploration pillar is the bridge between classroom learning and real life—and thanks to our community partnerships, our scholars are walking across that bridge with confidence.

Spotlight on Our Graduates

We are fortunate to have strong ties throughout Beloit, and our graduates are already making meaningful contributions. Many alumni are working in careers aligned with the Individualized Learning Plans they developed while at TLA. Some have stayed in the community. Some have ventured out. Others have continued their education, entering college with both academic preparation and practical experience that will serve them well as they pursue happy, choice-filled lives.

Our survey of our first graduating class shows that 74% of our scholars are currently attending college or technical school, 18% have entered the workforce, and 8% have joined the military. In other words, 100% of our graduates are pursuing a career pathway after high school. These numbers represent far more than just data points; they are stories of young people stepping confidently into their futures. We could not be prouder of our scholars.

Looking Ahead: Re-enrollment

As we look forward to 2026, I want to remind all current families, the re-enrollment window runs January 1–31, 2026. This is the time to secure your scholar’s place for the coming year so we can continue the momentum we’ve built together. Visit www.thelincolnacademybeloit.com/enroll for details.

Reaffirming Our Vision

At TLA, we have always believed in more than just educating young people. We believe in transforming lives through community-centered, experiential learning. Our three pillars—Academic Rigor, Character Development, and Career Exploration—are not just statements to us. They form the foundation for action, for relationships, and for purpose.

We are inspired by what we have built together so far and excited for what comes next. With our community’s continued support, we will keep expanding real pathways to careers, mentorship, and opportunity for our scholars. Together, we will continue building bridges, opening doors, and shaping futures filled with choices.