Transforming Middle Schools Through Real-World Learning

Porter’s Academy LLC was founded by Dr. Brittany Porter, principal of Guyan Valley Middle School in rural West Virginia. Inspired by the challenges facing her students — high poverty rates, limited access to real-world learning, and low engagement — Dr. Porter built an innovative model that transformed her entire school into a simulated workplace.

 

Every student, regardless of background or ability, participates daily in a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program where they hold real jobs that support their school community. Students learn accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and pride — all while gaining exposure to future career pathways.

 

After two years of implementation, the results were undeniable:

 

• Attendance increased from 88% to 92%

• Discipline referrals dropped by more than 30% each year

• Physical fights reduced by 50%

• Students now take ownership of their learning, their school, and their futures

• True Cultural Transformation

 

 

Today, Porter’s Academy LLC helps other schools bring this model to life — providing complete CTE curriculum units, job systems, lesson plans, and implementation training. The goal is simple:

 

To help middle schools everywhere create purpose-driven students through real, hands-on experience.

 

​

What Makes Us Different

 

Unlike traditional CTE programs, Porter’s Academy:

 

• Is fully inclusive — all students participate, not just a select few.

• Is embedded into the school day, not an after-school elective.

• Focuses on student ownership and career identity, not just job skills.

• Provides a ready-to-use system for schools — complete with pacing guides, roles, rubrics, and digital materials.

​

Cultural Transformation for Middle Schools

 

The cultural change within her middle school is undeniable — and one to witness.

Hallways that once echoed with disengagement are now lined with student-created flyers promoting everything from school attendance and i-Ready goals to anti-bullying initiatives and home athletic events.

Menu boards feature affordable student-designed merchandise, created by peers through the Student Designs and Graphic Design CTEs, showcasing their pride in their school.

 

Throughout the building, students have created and managed resources for those in need — including food bags, clothing, hygiene items, and access to a local dentist partnership.

On Friday evenings, students from Wildcat Designs CTE open a student-run game room, giving their classmates a safe, positive space to connect and unwind.

 

These daily acts of leadership and creativity reflect more than a program — they represent a complete cultural shift built on purpose, belonging, and opportunity.