The University of Akron is now officially a sister university to three high schools within the Akron Public Schools system.

The school district and the university announced the partnership on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The new approach builds upon the existing collaboration between the two institutions. The University of Akron will now offer additional support to students in the college and career academies at Ellet High School, NIHF STEM High School and Akron Early College. The university will work with teachers to develop career-themed classroom content, offer workshops to students and parents on the college admission process and design "problem-based" learning opportunities, according to a news release.

The college and career academies model, where students have the opportunity to study within career paths with the support of local businesses and institutions, is in the process of being implemented in the Akron schools. The process is supported by strategic partners, which the release notes includes the GAR Foundation, the United Way of Summit County, ConxusNEO, the Summit Education Initiative and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. The University of Akron partnership was formed with help from the United Way of Summit County.

University of Akron interim president John C. Green said that, for the university, this partnership helps create a "pipeline" of students, making it more competitive but also giving it the chance to recruit students who may historically have not gone to college.