Case Study: Lee County Public Schools achieves career-ready skills and higher student achievement with Adobe

Lee County Public Schools equips students with Adobe certifications that build professional-level skills for careers in digital media and beyond

Lee County Public Schools, the ninth-largest district in Florida and one of the 50 largest in the U.S., faced the challenge of better preparing students for college and careers, raising academic performance, and re-engaging disenfranchised learners amid rapid technological change and a competitive job market. The district needed a scalable, cost-effective way to give students real-world digital media skills and industry-recognized credentials that would boost graduation and postsecondary success.

Lee County launched the Academy for Technology Excellence and rolled out Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) and Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) programs using Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection, hands-on courses taught by IT‑certified instructors, and a low‑cost classroom testing license. The initiative raised student grades and FCAT scores, produced a greater than 95% graduation rate among full-term ATE students, helped students earn multiple certifications (some up to 19), secure IT jobs or college credits, and has been replicated district-wide with site licenses in all 13 high schools and two technical centers.

Lee County Public Schools

Jana Hambruch

Project Director, Office of Zone and Attractor Programs, Lee County Public Schools