District Spotlight: Wayne County

Designed to replicate real-world workplaces, the ATC immerses students in pathways ranging from Construction, Welding, Automotive Technology, and Machine Tool to Health Science, Agriculture, Computer Science, and Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG). Classrooms feature robotics, CNC equipment, additive manufacturing, and industrial-grade tools, ensuring students leave with skills that directly match the needs of local employers.

The ATC’s close proximity to Somerset Community College allows dual credit courses to flourish. All nine ATC instructors serve as KCTCS adjunct faculty, each offering multiple dual-credit opportunities that give students a head start on postsecondary credentials.

The numbers tell a story of meaningful outcomes:

• 760 students are enrolled in ATC programs and 543 in high school CTE.
• 86% of ATC seniors graduate postsecondary ready through certifications, dual credit, or exams.
• 160 students registered for CTE dual credit in 2024–25, an increase fueled by Work Ready scholarships.
• A tailored IEP/ELP tutoring model helped ensure 100% of students with IEPs passed their ATC courses in 2024.

Health Science shines especially bright, with a 100% pass rate for Medical Nurse Aide exams in 2025 and nearly perfect NOCTI results. Meanwhile, Agriculture students are operating a greenhouse that supplies produce to schools and nonprofits, Construction students are contributing to regional building projects, and Automotive students are competing successfully across the state.

Legislative support has made these successes possible. The biennial ATC funding process through KDE, Federal Perkins allocations, Work Ready scholarships, and a recent HB 6 grant all directly strengthened Wayne County’s programs. Notably, HB 6 funding allowed the district to build a secure breezeway connecting the high school to the ATC—enhancing safety while ensuring seamless access to career pathways.

“Our facilities are second to none, and our equipment rivals or surpasses what one will find in industry,” said Interim Superintendent Brian Dishman. “Students are being trained for tomorrow’s jobs and beyond.”

Wayne County is focused on expanding work-based learning, boosting participation in non-traditional fields, and aligning credentials with regional workforce demand. Their story shows what’s possible when policy, funding, and local innovation come together: stronger schools, stronger communities, and stronger futures for Kentucky’s students.

For more information, visit wayne.kyschools.us.