Fort Cherry School District
Situated in the scenic landscape of Washington County, Fort Cherry School District is a shining example of how a smaller district can provide big opportunities for its students. With a proud history dating back to the establishment of its high school, Fort Cherry has continuously evolved to meet the needs of its students and community. Their commitment to innovative education is evident the moment you step on campus.
One of the standout features of the high school is its student-run café and coffee shop, located in the library. Offering a variety of drinks and snacks, the café is more than just a place to grab a refreshment. It features modern, functional seating and serves as a hub for collaboration and social interaction. The importance of this program goes beyond the immediate enjoyment of a well-crafted coffee. By managing the operations of the café, students gain real-world business experience—learning skills such as teamwork, customer service, inventory management, and financial literacy—that will serve them well in their future pursuits.
The school also boasts an impressive sound studio equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Students were fully immersed in a podcast project during the visit, showcasing how modern coursework integrates creative and technical skills. This type of curriculum not only reflects the realities of contemporary careers but also fosters critical thinking, communication, and technical expertise.
Fort Cherry’s dedication to hands-on, career-focused education extends into their comprehensive agriculture program. Students can choose between General Agriculture and Horticulture, much like selecting a college minor. The Horticulture class engages students in practical activities, such as designing boutonnieres and corsages for Homecoming and Senior Nights, and preparing floral arrangements and wreaths for the holidays. Students even design their own bouquets for prom and homecoming, allowing them to blend creativity with technical skill. The program’s production greenhouse is a thriving operation, where students currently grow tomatoes and houseplants, transitioning to hanging baskets and annuals in the spring for a community plant sale.
The Small Animal Science and Veterinary Science classes are equally dynamic. Students care for guinea pigs and a small flock of laying hens, collecting and selling eggs to teachers and staff as part of a Community Supported Agriculture initiative. The district’s FFA chapter, with about 80 members, provides further opportunities for leadership, competitions, and community service projects, such as hat and glove drives and food collections.
The agriculture program also includes cutting-edge aquaponics systems, which provide hands-on learning opportunities for Intro to Ag students. A group of advanced students manages these systems independently, reinforcing problem-solving skills and responsibility. The program’s crown jewel is the Freight Farm, a fully automated hydroponics facility capable of growing an acre’s worth of produce. Students cultivate a diverse array of crops, such as lettuce, kale, herbs, cucumbers, and radishes, supplying the cafeteria and local community while developing their farming expertise.
Fort Cherry’s innovation isn’t limited to the high school. The elementary school prides itself on its aviation and robotics programs, introducing students to cutting-edge technology from a young age. Kindergarten and first graders start with Bee Bots, simple coding robots that teach basic programming concepts in a playful, accessible way. As students progress, they use Sphero robots and Lego Spike kits with curriculum developed by Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Academy. Older students even explore drone technology, beginning with line-of-sight flying before advancing to first-person-view drones with mounted cameras, giving them a pilot’s perspective. These programs provide a fun and engaging way to learn about coding, electronics, and problem-solving, all within the district’s STEAM framework.
Despite being a smaller district that borders some larger ones, Fort Cherry proves that size does not dictate the quality or range of opportunities. From the innovative programs to the welcoming and dedicated staff, the district stands as a testament to the transformative power of education to inspire and equip students for the future. The warmth and hospitality of everyone encountered made it clear that Fort Cherry is a community invested in the success and growth of its students.
