During a recent statewide superintendent webcast, Franklin County Schools took center stage with a powerful presentation on the Future Forward Education and Career Center—a reimagined school serving youth in the juvenile justice system. Superintendent Mark Kopp and Principal Adam Nance shared how their district is leading with compassion, innovation, and a belief that every child deserves a fresh start.
Kopp began by recounting how Future Forward was born from summer 2020 conversations between Franklin County Schools and the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice. The goal: provide meaningful education to students held at the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to provide those educational services,” Kopp said. “We knew we had the dream team to make it happen.”
That dream team included Adam Nance, appointed principal of both Future Forward and William Cofield High School. Nance immediately began reshaping the school’s identity—starting with its name.
“We changed it from the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center to the Future Forward Education and Career Center,” Nance explained. “We wanted to remove the stigma. That name shouldn’t follow a student into a job interview or college application.”
To reinforce the school’s new identity, Nance introduced a mascot—a horse—and a rallying cry: “Champions.” The message is clear: students at Future Forward are not defined by their past. They are learners, leaders, and champions of their own future.
Kopp and Nance emphasized that the school is designed to feel like any other classroom, with project-based learning, career and technical education, life skills courses, and community engagement. With an average stay of just 20 days, the focus is on building a positive connection to school and helping students explore career paths.
“Every child deserves a fresh start,” Nance said. “We want them to leave here with hope, direction, and the belief that they can go forward.”
The presentation drew praise from fellow superintendents and KDE leaders, who commended Franklin County’s intentional planning, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to equity.
Future Forward is more than a school—it’s a statement. And thanks to the leadership of Kopp and Nance, Franklin County Schools is proving that second chances can lead to powerful new beginnings.
#Courage | #OneTeamFCS