CANOPS, Bethel University and Boys & Girls Clubs launch Success Academy partnership

By AI, Created 4:23 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Career Academy Network of Public Schools, Bethel University and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor are opening Success Academy at Bethel University for the 2026-27 school year in South Bend. The campus-based lab classroom is meant to expand early learning options for kindergarten and first grade students while giving Bethel teacher candidates supervised classroom experience.

Why it matters: - The partnership links a public school network, a university and a youth nonprofit to expand early learning access in South Bend. - Success Academy at Bethel University is designed to pair student instruction with teacher training in one classroom model. - The program centers on the Science of Reading, which makes literacy instruction research-based and systematic.

What happened: - Career Academy Network of Public Schools, Bethel University’s Education Department and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northern Indiana Corridor launched Success Academy at Bethel University. - The classroom will open on Bethel University’s campus for the 2026-2027 school year. - Instruction is scheduled to begin August 5, 2026. - Kindergarten and first grade students will learn together in a mixed-grade classroom. - The classroom will operate as an extension of Success Academy at the Boys & Girls Club.

The details: - The lab classroom is intended to provide developmentally appropriate, high-quality early learning experiences. - Students will get a safe, engaging and developmentally responsive learning environment. - Students will receive increased adult-to-student support and more individualized attention. - The model includes experiential learning in the community tied to real-world projects. - Students will use instructional materials aligned to state standards. - Bethel teacher candidates will gain hands-on classroom experience in a structured and supervised setting with a certified teacher. - The classroom will serve as a demonstration and innovation site for university faculty and K-12 educators. - Best practices in teaching and learning will be modeled, refined and improved through collaboration. - The classroom will follow the Success Academy at Boys and Girls Club academic calendar. - Enrollment information is available on the school website at Success Academy enrollment information.

Between the lines: - The partnership is built to bridge theory and practice, giving Bethel students a direct path from coursework to classroom work. - The lab setting also gives CANOPS and Bethel a place to test and sharpen instructional methods. - The emphasis on the Science of Reading signals a focus on literacy outcomes and consistency in early instruction.

What they’re saying: - Jeremy Lugbill, CEO of Career Academy Network of Public Schools, said the partnership expands student opportunities by connecting strong instruction with real-world learning in the community. - Dr. Jim Bennett, program director and department chair for education at Bethel University, said the collaboration gives students a highly supportive learning environment and teacher candidates invaluable hands-on experience.

What’s next: - The classroom will launch with the start of the school year in August 2026. - Enrollment will continue through the school website ahead of opening. - University and K-12 partners will use the classroom as a continuing site for observation, practice and refinement.

The bottom line: - The new Success Academy aims to serve young students and train future teachers at the same time, using one shared classroom model.