Central High School Signature Partnership

Brandeis School of Law proudly partners with Louisville’s Central High School through a University of Louisville Signature Partnership initiative. Together, we are building bridges to the legal profession for underrepresented students – starting in high school.

Launched in 2001, the Central High School Partnership engages students from Central’s Law and Government Magnet Program with meaningful, hands-on experiences that spark interest in law and support long-term academic success. Since its start, hundreds of Central High students have participated in this nationally recognized program.

Brandeis Law students are also key contributors. Each year, they earn public service or academic credit by mentoring, teaching and helping Central students gain confidence in legal thinking and skills. These experiences give Brandeis students training in classroom instruction, public speaking, leadership and team collaboration – while building lasting bonds with the high school students they mentor.

What the Partnership Offers

Through a combination of coursework, mentorship and skill-building opportunities, Central High School students:

• Visit the law school to tour, sit in on classes and attend moot court competitions and guest speaker events
• Participate as jurors in Brandeis Law’s Advanced Trial Practice mock trial
• Take part in enrichment activities such as state capitol visits and the all-day Professionalism Best Practices event at Brandeis
• Connect with Brandeis faculty, students, and legal professionals
• Build long-term relationships that support college and law school aspirations

Each year, graduating Central Law and Government Magnet students who attend college remain connected to the partnership, receiving guidance as they prepare for the law school application process.

Primary Curricular Components

Street Law

Developed at Georgetown University Law Center in the 1970s, the Street Law curriculum teaches legal issues and critical thinking skills and has been adopted by schools nationwide. Approximately 12–15 Brandeis Law students teach the program to Central High Law Magnet sophomores each year, earning public service hours.

Marshall-Brennan Civil Liberties Curriculum

Created by American University’s Washington College of Law, this national program fosters “constitutional literacy” through civics and civil liberties education. Four to five third-year Brandeis Law students teach the curriculum to Central High seniors, earning academic credit while contributing to a broader national initiative.

Substantive American Government Coursework

Brandeis faculty present sessions on topics such as immigration, search and seizure and housing discrimination, aligning with Central High’s American Government curriculum for juniors. Law students often help plan and present these sessions.

Why It Matters

The Central High School Signature Partnership reflects Brandeis Law’s deep commitment to public service and hands-on legal education – giving our students real-world teaching experience while expanding access to the legal profession.

• Empowering future lawyers from historically underrepresented backgrounds
• Promoting public service and civic engagement among current Brandeis students
• Creating a lasting pipeline of mentorship, education and opportunity