Dr. Cynthia Smith creates a tuition-free K-12 school focused on STEM education.

Cynthia Smith, a dedicated educator, is making a difference in her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. As reported by Afrotech, she is working towards providing students in the East Side neighborhood with access to quality STEM education and workforce training. Smith's dream of creating a tuition-free private K-12 STEM school, called Minds of the Future Academy, has finally come to fruition.

The school recently received full accreditation on July 17th, after almost a decade of hard work. Smith, who has been in the education field for 16 years, initially started the academy as a for-profit preschool in 2016. In 2019, Smith expanded her vision and turned Minds of the Future Academy into a non-profit organization, known as Minds of the Future Foundation.

The school is now able to receive funding through Step Up For Students, which helps cover attendance costs. Smith shared with the outlet that it was a significant accomplishment for her to open the school in her childhood neighborhood, knowing that she would have the full support of the community. One of the main goals of Minds of the Future Academy is to provide children with specialized educational opportunities without the financial and admissions barriers that they may face at other schools.

To achieve this, Smith purchased a 28,000-square-foot facility in October 2025, bringing all of the academy's operations under one roof. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities such as computer and STEM labs, podcasting and media production centers, and a makerspace where students can unleash their creativity and design clothing. The academy also emphasizes career preparation, which is integrated into its curriculum.

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade have the opportunity to take daily electives in coding, robotics, and visual arts. Middle and high school students can participate in workforce development programs that cover a wide range of subjects, including artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, digital marketing, carpentry, cosmetology, graphic design, media production, as well as CPR and first aid training. Smith shared with the outlet that their goal is to provide students with eight certification opportunities, giving them the necessary skills to enter the workforce immediately after graduation.

In addition to academic and career-focused programs, Minds of the Future Academy also offers arts programming and internships for juniors and seniors. The school's community garden is another way in which it gives back to its students and their families. Every Friday, free produce is provided from the garden.

With a 90% student retention rate and a 97% staff retention rate, it is evident that Minds of the Future Academy is making a positive impact on its students and staff. As the new school year approaches, the academy's staff has also grown from eight to 30 employees. However, Smith is not stopping there.

She is actively seeking additional funding to expand the academy's programs and continue providing educational and career opportunities for students in the Jacksonville community. In conclusion, Cynthia Smith's dedication and hard work have resulted in the success of Minds of the Future Academy. She is not only providing students with access to quality education but also preparing them for a successful future.

Her efforts are an inspiration to all, especially to black women entrepreneurs, as she also recently launched her own construction firm. The future is undoubtedly bright for both Smith and the students of Minds of the Future Academy.