Starting a NAF Academy
NAF welcomes interest and inquiry from those wishing to start a NAF Academy.
The process begins with the assembling of all stakeholders:
- School District Administration
- School Administration
- Teachers
- Business Partners
- Community Partners
- Parents, Students, Alumni
- Other school staff, i.e. guidance counselors
Each commits to engage in a process with NAF and each other in order to structure an Academy that complies with core standards (Career Academy National Standards Of Practice) and the NAF Academy model.
A NAF Academy is built upon three essential components that engage students:
- Career-themed curriculum
- Paid internships
- Local Advisory Boards that support Academies
NAF Academies are small learning communities comprised of students, local business partners, and educators. These stakeholders form intensive learning groups structured around a career theme featuring the NAF Curriculum. Learning communities must be equipped with the resources, leadership, peer support, and training in NAF Curriculum implementation necessary to sustain the Academy.
Community partnerships help to support the local Academies and include collaboration between the school and business and civic communities. Business leaders form the local Advisory Board actively engage with one another and schools to provide worthwhile opportunities for students and teachers. They help teachers make classroom learning relevant and offer students meaningful workplace exposure and experience.
Professional development provided to NAF Academies helps to enhance leadership skills and education competencies of those charged with sustaining a NAF Academy. NAF conferences, leadership institutes, year-round technical assistance, online resources, and national and regional representatives ensure that Academy stakeholders share knowledge gained in schools and draw on industry expertise and guidance from NAF.
The NAF Academy Development Model provides an overview of NAF’s process, from the time local stakeholders assemble, through planning, implementation, launch, and sustainability.
Applying for AOF, AOHT, and AOIT?
The NAF Academy Application Guide:
- assists interested school-district administrators and community partners in deciding whether a NAF Career Academy is an appropriate fit for their community; and
- guides stakeholders in preparing the required written proposal for the establishment of a NAF Academy of Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, and Information Technology.
Download the Academy Application Guide for 2010-11.
Download the NAF Academy Development Model.
Download the Academy Application Team Checklist, Guidelines for Creating a Local Concept Paper and the Letter of Intent Guidelines.
Applying for AOE?
Those interested in starting an Academy of Engineering apply through a separate Request For Proposals process. NAF Academies of Engineering are supported through a partnership with Project Lead the Way and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. Click here to locate information and materials on how to apply to start an Academy of Engineering.
Submission Deadlines for Academies applying for Year of Planning cohort for the following school year:
October 15 - Letter of Intent due for Academy of Engineering
December 1 - Letter of Intent due for Academy of Finance, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Academy of Information Technology
January 8 - Proposal due for Academy of Engineering
January 15 - Proposal due for Academy of Finance, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Academy of Information Technology
Learn about the Year of Planning process.
