LEAD Arlington shines a spotlight on student-led innovation at AHS

LEAD Arlington returned this month, and this time, our students were the stars of the show. Local leaders from across ACS, town government and business sectors toured Arlington High School for a behind-the-scenes look at how ACS students are preparing for careers and college through real-world experiences - all led by the students themselves!

Stops on the tour included some of the school's most dynamic programs: STEM, BioSTEM, the Fabrications Lab, Anatomy and Physiology, Machining and Entrepreneurship. At each location, student leaders guided the way, offering a hands-on, up-close look at how classroom learning comes alive through collaboration, critical thinking and creativity - the foundation of the Portrait of an ACS Graduate.

Class of 2025 Senior Michael Anderson, who’s taken nearly every STEM course offered at AHS, now spends his days in the school’s machining lab, a pathway he discovered through the district's career and technical education (CTE) programs. “It’s just great to know that I’m going out into a world that I already know,” Michael said. “I’m working with tools that people are getting paid $85,000 to $90,000 a year to use, and I’ve already had a huge head start in high school.”

Michael, who plans to study engineering at the University of Memphis, says the hands-on nature of the machining program - paired with dual enrollment credits through Southwest Tennessee Community College - has given him a clear direction for the future. “Every chance you get to show off what we do is a chance to get someone else hooked on engineering," he said. "It’s exciting to show how much creativity is involved."

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That excitement was echoed across the building, especially during the crowd-favorite stop: the science department’s Anatomage Table - a recent investment by Arlington High and ACS. The state-of-the-art tool features digitized cadavers and real-time anatomical simulations, bringing real-life medical training right into the classroom. The technology allows students to practice procedures, visualize body systems and explore medical careers without needing physical cadavers. It's a tool once reserved for medical schools and universities.

Class of 2026's Grayson Currie, who shared her experience in both BioSTEM and nursing services, said the variety of learning experiences has helped her grow in and out of the classroom. “I was shy when I came to Arlington,” she shared. “But getting involved in different programs helped me branch out and make connections. I’ve discovered what I’m passionate about, and I’ve grown as a leader because of it.”

Grayson wasn’t the only student leader who helped guide the experience. Grayson Brandt, Megan Nichols, Macie Smith and dozens of other students across various programs proudly led visitors through each stop, answering questions and sharing their journeys.

“Being able to showcase all the wonderful things about Arlington was such a great opportunity," Grayson Currie said. "It makes me proud to be a Tiger.”