Leominster Center for Excellence highlights internships, portfolio work and a 100% EmpowerED graduation rate
March 09, 2026 | Leominster Public Schools, School Boards, Massachusetts
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
Principal John VanSallett presented an overview of the Leominster Center for Excellence (LCE) and its two programs — the Innovation and Career Academy (ICA) and EmpowerED credit recovery — at the March 2 meeting.
VanSallett described ICA as a project-based, advisory-driven program where students complete interdisciplinary portfolios, participate in sustained internships and present exhibitions three times a year. He said students use an online platform called Emblaze to log internship hours and that more than 85% of ICA students were actively engaged in internships as of Feb. 25. VanSallett listed sample internship sites including the Leominster Public Library, an alpaca farm and automotive shops and said some students have received job offers tied to internships.
On EmpowerED, VanSallett reported that 35 students were enrolled in 2024–25, with 30 seniors and 26 graduates that year; he said four additional students have since completed requirements, bringing the program to a reported 100% graduation rate for that cohort. He described average credit totals and early-semester credit gains compared with the previous year.
Committee members asked about post‑graduate follow-up; VanSallett said the program does not currently run a five‑year follow-up but agreed it would be useful and feasible to develop a survey or tracking process.
What happens next: VanSallett will consider a follow-up tracking mechanism for graduates and continue to report internship engagement and portfolio outcomes to the committee.
VanSallett described ICA as a project-based, advisory-driven program where students complete interdisciplinary portfolios, participate in sustained internships and present exhibitions three times a year. He said students use an online platform called Emblaze to log internship hours and that more than 85% of ICA students were actively engaged in internships as of Feb. 25. VanSallett listed sample internship sites including the Leominster Public Library, an alpaca farm and automotive shops and said some students have received job offers tied to internships.
On EmpowerED, VanSallett reported that 35 students were enrolled in 2024–25, with 30 seniors and 26 graduates that year; he said four additional students have since completed requirements, bringing the program to a reported 100% graduation rate for that cohort. He described average credit totals and early-semester credit gains compared with the previous year.
Committee members asked about post‑graduate follow-up; VanSallett said the program does not currently run a five‑year follow-up but agreed it would be useful and feasible to develop a survey or tracking process.
What happens next: VanSallett will consider a follow-up tracking mechanism for graduates and continue to report internship engagement and portfolio outcomes to the committee.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
