By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Crenshaw County Schools has announced a new partnership with Alabama-based company Hyper-Individualized Education Design (Hi.Ed). Hi.Ed offers a cutting-edge guidance management system aimed at helping students transition smoothly from K-12 education to college, military or the workforce. The platform offers a personalized, goal-oriented approach to education, ensuring each student’s academic path aligns with their future aspirations.

Beverly Sport, Director of Federal Programs and Curriculum for Crenshaw County Schools, expressed excitement about the system, highlighting its ability to provide personalized learning tools, goal-setting features and real-time progress tracking.

“Crenshaw County Schools is super excited about the Hi.Ed platform,” Sport said. “By empowering students to take charge of their education through tailored support and real-time feedback, Hi.Ed equips them with the skills and discipline needed to excel both academically and in their lives after high school.”

Hi.Ed, originally developed to help student-athletes track graduation progress and NCAA eligibility, is now available to all students regardless of their plans after graduation. It focuses on fostering critical thinking, adaptability and career readiness, while providing real-time academic and attendance metrics to students and their guardians. The platform also connects students with colleges, military and career opportunities.

“Hi.Ed pairs seamlessly with our teacher-led student data chats, which encourage students to be accountable for their learning, set goals and monitor their progress,” Sport said. “Hi.Ed puts students in the driver’s seat of charting their educational path and achieving their goals, but the program is not just about academic success—it’s about building a foundation for lifelong achievement.” 

Hi.Ed CEO and founder Duwan Walker, a former high school and college football coach with programs such as the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the University of South Alabama, Jacksonville State University and others, developed the platform from his experiences guiding young athletes. His goal was to create a web-based solution that helps students identify, explore and prepare for career pathways, whether they involve a four-year degree, two-year degree or skills training for immediate workforce entry.

Walker described Hi.Ed as “adaptive, first-of-its-kind software,” incorporating algorithms to align a student’s curriculum with their goals to ensure the student is purpose-driven with every course taken.

“Hi.Ed provides a clear vision of a student’s hopes and dreams upon graduation, assisting with bridging the gaps of confusion and uncertainty and serves all students, parents, administrators and other stakeholders by joining one another under one practical platform, creating a clear line of transparency from school to home and then later connecting students to the workforce.”

The platform allows students to choose a track—college, military or workforce—and works with third-party recruiters to ensure students have access to opportunities in their chosen life course. As part of this leg of the program, a military media blitz, designed to connect students who have interest in enlisting in the military with representatives from various military branches, was held Oct. 9 at all three schools. Parents were invited to attend and learn more about the opportunities that military enlistment can provide.

With components focusing on academics, athletics and career readiness, Crenshaw County Schools’ partnership with Hi.Ed represents yet another significant step toward empowering students for success beyond high school.

Brantley High School senior Tra’Shaun Brooks, who plans for his college major to be marketing, described the experience as valuable, stating that using proper etiquette includes principles and behaviors that will help him build positive relationships after high school.  

“At home I was taught about different eating utensils, but usually ate with a fork, sometimes a spoon and a knife only when I had a steak,” Brooks said. “My family and I usually go out to eat at least once a week and I’m not usually that concerned about proper etiquette, because I am with my family. So, when asked to attend the senior etiquette brunch, I could really see the importance of etiquette and the advantages of knowing how to use proper etiquette after high school. With my chosen major, I will need to be respectful, polite and possess good listening and communicating skills while sitting around the table with my clients.”