Destinations Career Academy of Colorado’s SkillsUSA chapter, based in Westminster, is among nearly 50 participants hosting events for Sign MFG Day 2026 on Oct. 2. Created by the International Sign Association with the National Association of Manufacturers, the event invites high school, technical and community college students to explore careers in sign, graphics, print and wrap, and has led to job shadowing, internships and full-time hires.
Stride ranks seventh on Best in Business’ list of the top 10 U.S. education companies. The profile traces Stride’s start as K12 in 2000, its 2020 rebrand reflecting growth into career training and adult learning, and its reach of more than 2,000 schools across all 50 states. It notes Robert Knowling became chairman and CEO in mid-2026, succeeding longtime leader James Rhyu.
As Alachua County Public Schools enrollment drops roughly 10% since 2021-22, families are weighing alternatives, including Florida Cyber Charter Academy, a tuition-free virtual charter school serving all grades statewide. Literacy coaches Krissi Campbell and Michelle Crespo-Melendrez describe live classes with state-certified teachers, a 180-day calendar, in-person meetups, and the same support systems as traditional schools, including inclusion courses for students with 504 plans or IEPs.
West Virginia Virtual Academy, the state’s largest public charter school, serves about 2,600 K-12 students through the K12 Zone, a virtual campus where teachers lead instruction and students play games, chat through avatars and attend virtual career fairs with colleges and businesses. School leaders highlight state-certified teachers who all teach in their content areas, safety monitoring tools, and in-person clubs and field trips that build social connection.