Celebrating Educational Excellence: ASA Career Education Champion Awards Highlighting Charter Schools

On April 7, 2025, the annual Building Hope IMPACT Awards celebrated outstanding education initiatives by presenting the ASA Career Education Champion Awards. This year, the accolades were awarded to Latitude High School in Oakland, California, and Liberty STEM Charter School in Sumter, South Carolina. Through this partnership, American Student Assistance® (ASA) showcases schools that take remarkable strides in preparing students for fulfilling careers.

The ASA Career Education Champion Awards are part of a broader mission to transform how students engage with their future professions. By encouraging children to explore their passions, strengths, and marketable skills, these awards illuminate pathways leading to successful and enjoyable careers. Julie Lammers, the Executive Vice President of ASA, applauded both schools, stating, "We honor Latitude High School and Liberty STEM Charter School as two schools that excel at empowering students to explore their interests, develop career-ready skills, and connect learning to real-world opportunities."

Latitude High School: Pioneering Real-World Learning

Located in the diverse city of Oakland, Latitude High School emphasizes experiential learning that connects students directly with the realities of the workforce. The school practices what it preaches by integrating more than 100 job shadowing sites, internships, and dual enrollment opportunities into the curriculum. This hands-on approach empowers students to apply classroom knowledge to various fields, from technology to food science.

Latitude's unique model capitalizes on the vibrant Bay Area industries, enabling students to gain confidence in their career choices while establishing useful connections in the professional world. By bridging the gap between education and employment, Latitude High School exemplifies how real-world applications can enhance a student’s educational experience.

Liberty STEM Charter School: Shaping Futures from Early Ages

Meanwhile, Liberty STEM Charter School in Sumter leads the charge in early career exploration. Focusing on a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum right from kindergarten, Liberty embeds real-world career thinking into its project-based learning approach.

As students progress through their academic journey, they receive support from strong partnerships with local industries that help to connect their learning with future job prospects. Liberty STEM proves that early exposure to career opportunities can significantly impact students' ambitions and career trajectories.

William D. Hansen, President and CEO of Building Hope, expressed pride in recognizing such exemplary institutions, stating, "Building Hope is honored to partner with American Student Assistance to recognize these schools that go above and beyond in preparing students to achieve the future they envision."

The IMPACT Awards Gala and Its Significance

The award recipients were selected from a competitive pool of candidates for the Building Hope IMPACT Awards program, which celebrates public charter schools demonstrating remarkable engagement with their communities, innovation in education, and empowerment of students. Both Latitude High School and Liberty STEM Charter School will receive their honors at the upcoming Building Hope IMPACT Awards gala, scheduled for May 7, 2025, in Miami, Florida.

This annual meetup draws educators, innovators, and educational advocates from across the nation to acknowledge and support excellence in K-12 education. Since its inception in 2022, Building Hope has granted over $440,000 to 33 charter schools, alongside $40,000 benefiting eight volunteer leaders, demonstrating a commitment to advancing educational quality throughout the nation.

Conclusion

The ASA Career Education Champion Awards not only spotlight exemplary achievements in education but also signify a collective effort to prepare the next generation for real-world challenges. Schools like Latitude High and Liberty STEM illustrate the transformative power of innovative educational practices and community partnerships in cultivating future leaders and professionals.

For those eager to learn more about the IMPACT Awards or to register for the 2025 IMPACT Summit, visit Building Hope's official website.