Atlantic City Public Schools are powering up a new era of learning with a districtwide esports program that combines gaming, technology and career readiness.
District officials say the new, comprehensive esports program will allow them to leverage gaming to enhance student engagement, support STEM initiatives and teach essential social-emotional skills.
“This groundbreaking program is a powerful platform that will boost student engagement and connect their interests directly to viable future career pathways,” said Mike Bird, the district’s director of assessment and special projects.
Working in partnership with Esports Integration by Horizon AVL, the school system will roll out a district-wide esports initiative, complete with gaming rooms in all 11 schools. It will be an age-appropriate curriculum focused on educational development and career readiness support.
“With every school having a facility, and with the industry-focused curriculum, these students will walk away with a jumpstart to many career options,” said Joshua Kell, CEO of Esports Integration of Horizon AVL. “The transferable skills learned through this program will impact them for years to come.”
Esports is a structured platform for competitive video gaming where individual players or teams participate in organized leagues and tournaments, often competing for significant prizes and sponsorship deals.
Kell, 43, who got his start working behind the scenes creating broadcast media rooms, is a lifelong gamer who applied industry knowledge to grow a business that not only designs gaming rooms, but also helps write the curriculum.
The local program integrates esports into after-school and Saturday STEM sessions to give students regular access to project-based learning experiences, officials said. The program is expected to promote growth in academic, technical and interpersonal skills through Platform1, a learning management system. Students will compete as a school against other schools in their district while following the career pathways curriculum.
“Atlantic City Schools are approaching esports and related career pathways in an innovative way,” Kell said. “It’s not about playing the game; it’s about the learning outcomes. The coursework on Platform1 is aligned to multiple careers and industries. The learner will be able to thrive and grow in this supportive and exciting environment.”
Each gaming room is designed to serve as more than a competitive arena; it’s a career development hub where students engage with real-world industry tools and curriculum design to develop marketing, broadcasting, business, hospitality, IT and event management skills, company spokeswoman Lauren Kell said.
The district collaborated with EDGE Consulting of Winchester, Va., to align its curriculum standards and launch a district-wide esports competition league, connecting students across schools in friendly, skill-based tournaments.
“Atlantic City Public Schools has achieved a significant milestone with this program, making them a true leader in the esports education space,” Kell said.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 17, in the Atlantic City High School’s Media Center. District leaders and community members will gather to celebrate the unveiling of this transformative educational program.
Michelle Gladden is a freelance journalist and editor with over 25 years of professional experience. She was the founding executive director of a local arts support nonprofit and has served on various community boards and organizations.
