Clay Center Community High School and Wakefield High School have been awarded a $199,000 grant from the Patterson Family Foundation to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities for students over the next three years.
This funding will support the launch of PartnerEd (Industry + Education), a program that brings local industry experts into classrooms to work directly alongside teachers. PartnerEd is designed to connect education with real-world opportunities, giving students hands-on experiences in agriculture, construction & design, health sciences, business, and other career pathways. It will also help them earn certifications that prepare them for life after graduation.
The goal is to give students the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed—whether that means stepping into a good job right away or continuing their education. Thanks to the support of the Patterson Family Foundation, PartnerEd will open new doors of opportunity for students while strengthening the future workforce in the local community.
“This grant is truly a game-changer for our students,” said USD 379 Director of Curriculum and Instruction Jaclyn Pfizenmaier, who applied for the grant. “PartnerEd allows us to connect education with real-world opportunity, and that’s something our rural community needs and deserves. We’re excited to watch our students dream bigger and achieve more because of this support.”
An advisory board will be established to facilitate the grant and its program goals. USD 379 will share updates by January of 2026.