setting the stage: a vision for more than test scores Years before Kentucky began talking about local accountability, Bullitt County Public Schools was already taking steps to define success on its own terms. District leaders knew they wanted more for kids than a set of test results could capture. They invited families, students, educators, and community members into a process to co-create a Graduate Profile: a shared promise about the skills, dispositions, and values every BCPS graduate should carry into life after school. Those six competencies (innovative problem solver, effective communicator, productive collaborator, self-directed navigator, community contributor, and mastery learner) became a compass for the district. They represented not just aspirations, but a community-owned definition of what it means to succeed. the crossroads challenge: turning vision into daily practice At Crossroads Elementary, leaders saw the power of the Graduate Profile but faced a challenge: how to make it truly accessible to their youngest learners. The original competency language was designed for a broad audience, often reading at a grade 10–11 level. While powerful, it was abstract for K–5 students and hard to connect to daily classroom life. This is where our partnership began. Our goal was not to replace or dilute the district’s vision, but to make it visible, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate for every student, while staying fully aligned with BCPS’s broader work, including their newly developed grade-banded performance outcomes that describe each competency from kindergarten through graduation. translating the competencies for accessibility and alignment We collaborated with Crossroads to adapt each competency into plain, encouraging language that students could connect to their own experiences. Each was paired with a bold, Crossroads-branded icon, ensuring students could identify them instantly in hallways, classrooms, and on their work. bcps graduate profile → crossroads translation Innovative Problem Solver → I can solve tricky problems. Effective Communicator → I can share my ideas so others understand. Productive Collaborator → I can work with others to get things done. Self-Directed Navigator → I can make a plan and follow it. Community Contributor → I can help make my school and community better. Mastery Learner → I can keep trying until I get it right. By aligning these translations with BCPS’s grade-banded outcomes, we created consistency for educators and a clear developmental pathway for students. the two buckets that make a portrait live In BCPS, the Graduate Profile is not an isolated initiative, it lives within a larger system. At Alchemy, we think about this through two interconnected “buckets”: Content – language, visuals, and storytelling that make the vision memorable and accessible to all learners. This is how the Portrait shows up in words, symbols, and stories that everyone can understand and repeat. Systems – routines, structures, and vibrant learning experiences that make it real every day. This includes recognition programs, performance tasks, planning protocols, and opportunities for students to apply and reflect on competencies in authentic contexts. When these buckets connect, the Portrait moves from being a poster on the wall to being an active part of the district’s operating system. building the recognition system At Crossroads, the “systems” bucket came to life through a school-wide recognition program: Nomination form – a quick digital form for staff to recognize students demonstrating a competency. Certificates + icons – custom-designed certificates featuring the competency’s icon. Stickers + incentives – one sticker for each competency; a prize for collecting all six. Social media shoutouts – ready-to-use templates for celebrating students and staff online. Staff recognition – nominations for colleagues modeling the competencies. These routines created daily touch points for the Graduate Profile: in classrooms, in hallways, and in the community’s social feeds. connecting to local accountability In Kentucky, “local accountability” is a community-driven approach to measuring what matters most in schools. It goes beyond compliance to include vibrant learning experiences, student well-being, and the skills defined in a district’s Graduate Profile. For BCPS, the Crossroads system became one way to “report back” on their promise. Each certificate, sticker, and shoutout serves as a visible record that the competencies named by the community are actively shaping daily learning. scaling the impact: district, school, and classroom alignment BCPS’s commitment to the Graduate Profile is reinforced at every level: District level – Systems thinking and learning design work with coaches and leaders ensures structures, resources, and policies support the competencies. School level – Branded visuals and recognition programs, like Crossroads’, make the competencies visible and celebrated. Classroom level – Instructional design creates vibrant learning experiences that enable students to develop, strengthen, and reflect on the competencies. When all three levels work in concert, the Graduate Profile becomes a connected system that equips every student with the skills and dispositions their community values most. the result With a shared language, strong visuals, and a recognition system in place, Crossroads is laying the groundwork for the Graduate Profile to move from a district document to a lived part of school culture. The goal is for students to use the competencies in their own words, for staff to actively celebrate them, and for families to see visible evidence of the district’s vision in action. The work at Crossroads is a model for how a Portrait of a Learner can move from vision to daily celebration and how making it accessible to all learners can strengthen community trust and connection. want to see how your profile stacks up? your portrait of a learner shouldn’t just live on a poster...it should shape daily learning. want to see how your profile stacks up? 📥 Download our step-by-step guide to making your portrait of a learner accessible, inclusive, and alive in daily school culture ✨ Schedule a consult 📚 Explore the whole case study
When Bullitt County Public Schools set out to design a community-based accountability system, they weren’t just changing how data got reported. They were changing who it was for. Spoiler: the answer was parents, not policymakers. In this post, we’ll walk you through how Alchemy Collaborative helped BCPS document that journey from jargon-heavy aspirations to human, hopeful, forward-facing storytelling. what is community-based accountability, really? It’s not just a new dashboard. It’s a mindset shift. Instead of reporting rear-facing test data, districts like BCPS are starting with community voice (parents, teachers, and students) asking what really matters for student success. Think: Do students feel safe? Are we hiring the right people? Can families see progress that feels real? It’s accountability that reflects values, not just metrics. Accountability isn’t just what we measure. It’s who we’re accountable to. how alchemy turned ideas into a visible system BCPS had big ideas and clear pillars but they needed help turning those into something people could see, share, and understand. That’s where we came in. Our approach: Developed and distributed press releases and updates to keep the community informed and engaged at every stage Designed pillar-based graphics that the schools and district could actually use Created visuals and guides that made the work more accessible Built a repeatable system for documenting progress without reinventing the wheel every time We helped make the invisible parts of the process visible. Because clarity builds trust. what made this work different (and replicable) Three things set the BCPS CBA system apart and made our partnership shine: forward-facing language We ditched the buzzwords and focused on parent-friendly benefits (like “safe and conducive spaces” instead of “climate indicators”). community-owned communication Schools and families shaped the story; Alchemy just helped give it structure. designed for evolution Nothing was final on day one. The system flexes as the district grows. And we built the comms tools to flex with it. want to build your own story system? We help districts translate meaningful work into visible systems. Whether you’re building a local accountability model, refreshing your graduate profile, or trying to get everyone to use the same five brand colors. ✨ Schedule a consult 📚 Explore the whole case study Your story is worth telling clearly, consistently, and in your community’s language. We’re here to help.
For families, a new school year comes with plenty of unknowns and nothing feels more unknown than a new leader at the helm. Whether it’s a principal stepping into their first school or a seasoned administrator moving to a new building, the way you communicate their arrival sets the tone for the year ahead. Here’s how to make sure that introduction builds trust, connection, and momentum before the first bell rings... plus how one Kentucky middle school principal used this approach to hit the ground running. start before the start Don’t wait until the first assembly or newsletter to introduce a new leader. Use the weeks before the school year to share a short, personable welcome video on your school’s social channels and website. Keep it simple: a quick introduction, a little personal background, and an invitation for families to connect. When Bernheim Middle School in Bullitt County welcomed new principal Chase Goff , they released a video before back-to-school night. Chase introduced himself, shared what he’d learned in his first weeks on campus, and spoke directly to students and families: “I will listen — always. We will learn together. And everyone will lead. To be the school we aspire to takes all of us working together.” That personal commitment helped families connect with him before they even shook his hand. let their personality lead Families want to know credentials, but they connect with personality. In his video, Chase mixed his professional observations with personal stories (like remembering his first Renaissance Conference as a student) and excitement for beloved school traditions like Bruin Bashes and Ren Rallies. This blend of heart and history told the community, I’m here to honor what matters to you, and I’m excited to be part of it. show them in action Pair the introduction with candid media (event photos, walk-through clips, or a short “meet the team” video). Bernheim followed Chase’s intro with a leadership team welcome video, featuring assistant principals and staff speaking directly to students about culture, expectations, and excitement for the year ahead. That second video showed Chase not just as a face on a flyer, but as an active part of a team that cares about students. pay attention to the small details Sometimes the most impactful gestures aren’t the flashiest. Before the year began, Chase made sure every staff member got an updated professional headshot, something they hadn’t had in several years. It was a small but meaningful move that showed he was listening to staff requests and wanted them represented well. Those details build credibility faster than any speech can. keep the conversation going An introduction isn’t a one-and-done. Plan for follow-up touches in the first 90 days (quick video updates, social spotlights, or “day in the life” posts). By starting strong with a warm, detailed introduction and following it up with consistent, approachable communication, new leaders can set a tone of trust, enthusiasm, and partnership that lasts all year long. The takeaway: A well-crafted introduction isn’t just about making a leader known... it’s about making them felt . When your community sees and hears their leader before day one, they walk into that first day feeling like they already belong. video link: https://youtu.be/tBy-5vSqHZs
This week in Fleming County, we stepped into a high school hallway and found something quietly beautiful: a prayer tree where students are invited to share prayers of peace with one another. In a world that often feels hurried and heavy, this gentle invitation felt like a deep breath. A reminder that peace is not passive. It’s something we plant, nurture, and offer to each other and to the communities we call home. what abundance looks like in education At Alchemy Collaborative, we believe peace and hope can grow in even the most unexpected places. This is at the core of what we call abundance : the belief that resources, encouragement, and hope aren’t meant to be hoarded. They’re meant to overflow. That’s why one of our core values is bountiful harvesting. In our work with schools, that means helping leaders create systems and spaces where positive culture grows, where stories are shared, and where every student and staff member feels seen. A “prayer tree” in a public school hallway is a living example of that. It’s a simple, visible way for a community to practice abundance: planting seeds of encouragement, sharing hope, and reminding one another of their worth. from hallways to hearts: why we built abundance by ac This is also the heartbeat behind Abundance by AC : our collection of devotionals, themed resources, and encouragement for educators and faith-driven leaders. We know the challenges of school leadership and service can be heavy. Abundance by AC exists to help leaders stay grounded in purpose and renewed in spirit, so they can keep planting seeds of peace and hope right where they are. planting peace wherever you are Whether it’s a tree in a hallway, a kind word in a meeting, or a resource shared with a fellow leader, peace grows when we choose to plant it. Thank you, Fleming County, for the pleasant surprise and for the quiet ways you’re creating space for hope. You’ve reminded us (and everyone who reads this) that abundance can take root anywhere if we’re willing to plant it. Read more about creating abundance in your own school or leadership journey at Abundance by AC .
What does it take to build a school brand that sticks? Spoiler, it’s not just slapping a logo on a wall (though that helps). At Bluegrass Middle School, we’ve seen how intentional branding creates clarity, pride, and consistency for students, staff, and families. In this post, we’re sharing how we partnered with Bluegrass to build a strong brand foundation and bring it to life through everyday touchpoints. If you’ve ever wondered how to actually implement branding in a school, this one’s for you. what does “foundational branding” mean? Before we ever talk about headshots or signage, we start with strategy. Foundational branding is all about defining a school’s visual identity and making sure the basics are in place. For Bluegrass, that meant: finalizing the logo and visual assets creating a design lab to store and share files aligning brand visuals with the school’s mission and culture Once that foundation was set, every decision that followed was easier and more effective. Strong school branding starts with a shared foundation. Without it, nothing sticks. how do you keep branding consistent across a school? We love a good design lab . Think of it as the digital headquarters for all things branded: logos, templates, signage files, social graphics, and more. When staff need a flyer, a badge, or an email signature, it’s all right there. Bluegrass uses their design lab to keep things consistent and accessible. No more outdated logos or mismatched fonts. everyone’s on the same page, literally. what kinds of branding projects actually make an impact? Once the foundation is solid, the fun begins. Through Bluegrass’s alchemy access hours, we’ve supported a range of creative projects like: branding for facilities and physical spaces updated email signatures, refreshed annually branded headshot backdrops professional headshots for staff custom assets for events and campaigns The principal often texts us with an idea, and we make it happen. It’s fast, collaborative, and always on-brand. why does this partnership model work? Because it’s personal. We’ve built a strong relationship with the leadership at Bluegrass, and that trust leads to quick turnarounds, creative problem solving, and consistent results. We’re not just a vendor. We’re a team they can text anytime, and we’ll figure it out. That kind of partnership helps branding feel like a culture, not just a to-do list. want your school branding to work like this? If you’re dreaming of a design lab, a consistent brand, and a creative team that actually gets schools, we’d love to help. Let’s talk about branding for your school.
Uncertainty in schools isn’t going anywhere, but silence or sterile updates can make confusion grow faster than a kindergarten line in the hallway. At Alchemy, we believe moments of change are the perfect chance to build trust, not lose it. Inspired by The Learning Accelerator’s piece on scaling through storytelling, we’re here to show you how clear, human-centered stories can bring families and staff closer... even when plans shift overnight. why your community needs more than bullet points Families don’t just want to know what is changing. They want to know why it matters for their kids. Teachers want to see themselves reflected in the story. And everyone needs communication that feels like it came from a neighbor, not a PR robot. At Alchemy, we help district leaders: ✔️ Lead with heart by putting students and staff at the center of every message ✔️ Translate chaos into clarity so updates build confidence instead of confusion ✔️ Build storytelling systems because trust comes from consistent, on-brand communication... not one-off announcements stories are powerful, but systems make them sustainable We’ve seen too many schools pour energy into one great story, then let it fade into the ether. Our approach helps you create repeatable systems so your stories keep flowing, your brand stays strong, and your community feels seen even when times are tough. want to get started? Ready to build a storytelling system your district can count on? Schedule a discovery call with Team Alchemy today.
Last week, something powerful happened in Fleming County. We launched a logo. But that moment was about so much more than a mark. It was the start of a new partnership. One built on trust, purpose, and the shared belief that communication should reflect the heart of a district, not just the headlines. a new story begins Fleming County Schools has been quietly, and boldly, reimagining what education looks like in rural Kentucky. Their work around vibrant learning, locally defined accountability, and real-world readiness has gained statewide attention for good reason. They’re not waiting on permission to do what’s right for students. They’re building it, day by day, story by story. And on July 29, we had the honor of helping them put a visible frame around that work. The new Fleming County logo doesn’t just represent a district. It represents a journey : one of progress, purpose, and the many paths students take as they grow. As we shared during the launch: “This isn’t a peak. It’s a path. A reminder that learning here is not linear or static, but always unfolding.” From the historic bridges woven into the “F” to the upward curve at its center, the logo reflects the values that guide this district’s work: connection, momentum, and collective belief in what's possible. more than design. it’s direction. We didn’t just design a logo. We introduced a full visual identity system, from t-shirts and signage to branded templates and a new Design Lab portal where staff can access tools to communicate with clarity. But even more importantly, we began building the system that helps those messages stay aligned and trusted long after launch day. Because in Fleming, the work is bigger than branding. It’s about reframing accountability, from test scores to student stories. It’s about showing, not just saying, what matters most. As we shared in our session: “Your community’s trust isn’t built in spreadsheets. It’s built in the stories you choose to tell.” what’s next We’re just getting started. Over the next few months, we’ll be walking alongside Fleming County Schools to help: Equip school leaders with ready-to-use tools that reflect the new brand Create systems for collecting and sharing story evidence tied to their Bridge Performance Indicators Build visual and verbal trust across schools, students, families, and the broader community Fleming’s journey is a bold one and we’re grateful to play a part in helping shape how it’s seen. to the leaders in fleming: Thank you for trusting us with your story. Thank you for showing what it looks like to lead with belief , not just metrics. And thank you for reminding us all that branding isn’t about the sparkle. It’s about the signal and you’ve made it clear. We can’t wait to see where the path leads next. 🛍️ PS : If you’re ready to rep the new look, the Fleming Spirit Shop is open and shipping is free with code FCSFreeShipping ! 📎 Fleming Spirit Shop want something new? If you’re ready to change up your look, we're ready when you are. Let’s create something unforgettable together. Schedule your Foundation Call
Why communication strategy matters more than ever in the era of local accountability and vibrant learning. Walk into any school and you’ll find a quiet hum of activity that never makes the newsletter: A teacher comforting a child after a tough morning. A principal jumping in for lunch duty. A parent dropping off cupcakes for the class next door. A student unlocking something new in themselves during a vibrant-learning experience. These are the everyday moments that shape a school’s identity. But without a system to capture, connect, and communicate them, they disappear. this is where marketing comes in. Not as a sales pitch. Not as self-promotion. But as a stewardship tool: one that aligns your values, your people, and your promise to the community. let’s clear something up: School leaders are starting to talk more about: Vibrant learning Community trust Local accountability But when communication systems don’t keep pace with that vision, the result is fragmentation. Your schools are doing the work but your people can’t see the story. And when stories go untold, momentum fades. you’ve seen this play out before: A new program launches, but families don’t understand what it is (or why it matters). A school earns a big achievement, but it never reaches the local paper or city council. A rebrand rolls out, but staff keep using outdated logos, mottos, or messaging. A board asks, “What are we doing about communication?” and no one has a clear answer. sound familiar? None of this is a failure of effort. It’s a gap in strategy. A gap that thoughtful marketing can fill if we redefine what it means in the context of public education. so what i s school marketing? Let’s ditch the corporate buzzwords and say it plain: Marketing in schools is the system that ensures your message doesn’t get lost. It’s how you: Show what learning really looks like Build clarity across your schools and staff Translate vision into community trust Make your Measures of Quality visible to families, not just policymakers It’s not fluff. It’s infrastructure. local accountability needs local messaging. If your district is embracing a new framework for accountability: one based on growth, relationships, and readiness, not just state test scores, then your community needs to be brought into that journey. They need: Clear language Real stories Visible evidence Trustworthy systems You can’t wait for the press to pick it up. You have to build the narrative from the inside out. And that means marketing. what district marketing should include: Defined Goals: What are we trying to communicate and to whom? Audience Mapping: What does each group (families, staff, board, community) need to hear and believe? On-Brand Assets: Do all schools have the visuals and templates to show up with confidence? Multi-Channel Systems: Are we relying on one flyer or layering social, email, print, and personal touchpoints? Feedback Loops: Are we tracking what’s working? Do we know what our community is actually hearing? Consistency: Can every principal tell your district’s story the same way? why this matters now As districts shift toward locally designed, community-centered frameworks, communication must mature alongside. You’re not just publishing test scores. You’re building a portrait of your district’s soul. And that deserves more than scattered posts and siloed announcements. It deserves a communication strategy that honors the complexity, and beauty, of your work. at alchemy collab, we believe: Local accountability needs local messaging. Vibrant learning deserves visible celebration. Trust is built through clarity, not volume. And your community is more likely to believe in your vision when they can see it. want this for your school or district? If you’re ready to move from reactive storytelling to intentional communication systems, we’d love to help. Let’s design a strategy that reflects what’s already true about your schools and makes it impossible to ignore. Schedule your Foundation Call or explore our district support services .
