Polk County’s Career Academies are not just for preparing students for the workplace, although that is certainly a big part of it, John Small told his audience at the Bartow Kiwanis Club Friday.

Small, who is senior director of Workforce Education, explained to the gathering that it’s also about keeping students engaged. And it seems to be working pretty well. And the kids don’t necessarily have to attend an academy in their chosen career. Referring to Bartow’s Summerlin Academy, which he described as a big success story, Small said, “Not all the kids at Summerlin are going into the military (which is its emphasis) but they learn leadership and teamwork as well, which are great skills for any field.”