Liberty Public Schools in Kansas City, Missouri, was recognized with the 2026 Carnegie Award for Impact for its work to meet a bold goal: 100% of Liberty students would engage in a Real World Learning experience and graduate having demonstrated skills aligned to the district’s Graduate Profile. Through intentional effort to build systems that ensure that real world learning is expected and accessible for every learner, the district increased student participation in real world learning activities from 42% in 2021 to 100% in 2025. Every 2025 graduate earned at least one Market Value Asset (MVA), evidence of acquiring industry valued and recognized skills through real world learning experiences.
The district focused its improvement efforts on three key drivers: expanding the number and diversity of real world learning experiences available to students through community and business partnerships; designing systems and structures to ensure student access and support; and integrating real world learning across the K-12 continuum.
To meet its goal, a district continuous improvement team regularly examined data about the kinds of experiences available and student participation in order to identify opportunities for growth. Site improvement teams developed advisory structures and student-friendly planning tools as well as tracking systems to monitor student progress and provide support so that each student had a clear plan to earn an MVA.
Liberty Public School’s work is further supported through its participation in the Kauffman Real World Learning Network, a regional initiative connecting educators, students, and employers to ensure that every student can discover and pursue their potential.
Explore the work and results of Liberty Public Schools through these resources:
- Download the Liberty Public Schools Impact Story, including key lessons learned from their work.
- Investigate the Liberty Public Schools Graduate Profile, which describes the skills and dispositions students develop to be prepared for their future pursuits.
- Learn about the variety of real world learning opportunities Liberty students can access through this resource.
Fellow 2026 Recipients
- Hemet Unified School District: 2026 Carnegie Award for Impact recipient
- CORE Districts’ BTSC: 2026 Carnegie Award for Impact recipient
The Carnegie Foundation launched the Carnegie Award for Impact in 2026 to recognize examples of significant impact on high school student success and preparation for career and postsecondary opportunities. Recipients demonstrate models, approaches and continuous improvement practices that catalyze consistent and persuasive student results, and illustrate the key roles different stakeholders play in sustaining positive improvement.
