8 Kentucky School Advocate | MAY 2026
Transforming alternative education, Shelby
Academy wins 2026 PEAK Award
By Brian Wilkerson | Staff writer
Walking down a hall at Shelby
Academy, Principal Ben Roberts talked
with pride about what his students and
teachers have accomplished. He pointed
to a bulletin board featuring local
veterans reimagined as comic book
heroes, a lesson that paired students
with those who served their country.
When the veterans saw the
students’ work, “it was truly
emotional,” Roberts said. “They just
felt so loved and needed, but yet, the
kids had a huge part in this, so they
felt that love as well.”
A few steps later, he stopped
to talk with Leland Montesino, a
The student hesitated, and Roberts
added, “I’ll do it with you, so that means
we’ll be together.”
As Leland headed away, Roberts called
after him, “I’m proud of you, man.”
At the other end of the school,
a different type of lesson was
underway. Along a classroom wall were
some newly hatched chicks, ducks and a
goose, the start of a three-year plan that
will grow to include a greenhouse, visits
to a farmers market and more.
For teacher Caytie Burgin, the work
extends well beyond the school day. She
checks on the young animals nightly and
brings them home on weekends, until
student who had just completed the
Academy’s GED Program.
“At the next (school) board meeting,
are you going to be a part of it?” Roberts
asked. “We’ll have a celebration” about
reaching the milestone.
Shelby Academy Principal Ben Roberts talks with student Leland Montesino, who recently completed the Academy’s GED Program.