APSRC Awards a District Conversion Charter Schools Program subgrant to the Searcy County School District Career and Agricultural Trades Academy
LITTLE ROCK (July 30, 2026) â The Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) has awarded a District Conversion Charter Schools Program (CSP) subgrant to the Searcy County School District Career and Agricultural Trades Academy (SCSD CATA). Through the competitive federal grant program, the district may receive up to $2 million over 36 months to support approved implementation expenses.
SCSD CATA serves students in grades PKâ12 and is designed to connect academic learning with meaningful career and workforce opportunities. The district conversion charter school will expand personalized student support, strengthen career pathways, and increase access to work-based learning experiences that prepare students for college, careers, military service, and entrepreneurship.
Funding will support leadership capacity and academic programming, along with industry-standard equipment and instructional technology at the North Central Career Center, a long-standing regional career and technical education hub serving students across North Central Arkansas. These investments will allow the district to enhance workforce training opportunities in high-demand fields, including agriculture, healthcare, construction trades, and automotive technology.
"The Searcy County School District Career and Agricultural Trades Academy (SCSD CATA) is built on the belief that our greatest strength is our rural communities. This investment will help us build on that foundation by expanding educational choice, strengthening workforce pathways, and creating extraordinary opportunities for every student. We are grateful to APSRC for believing in our vision," said SCSD Superintendent Valorie McCleary.
SCSD CATA builds on an already strong record of student success, including a graduation rate of more than 96 percent and a high percentage of graduates earning ACT WorkKeys credentials. The academy's innovative approach brings together personalized learning, career-connected education, and regional partnerships to expand opportunities for students throughout Searcy County and the surrounding region.
The APSRC Charter Schools Program supports the development, expansion, and sustainability of high-quality Arkansas charter schools. Through a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, APSRC provides competitive subgrants that help schools implement innovative programs and expand educational opportunities for students.
For more information about APSRC and its Charter Schools Program initiatives, visit www.apsrc.net.
