(May 03, 2016 – New York, NY) – Thirty-two academies in the NAF network have reached Distinguished level – NAF’s highest level of achievement – based on NAF’s annual assessment. Twenty-eight of these academies have reached this level more than once and four are new to the roster. This designation is given to those that have exhibited exceptional fidelity to an educational model that prepares students for college, career, and future success. Additionally over 100 academies reached Model status for delivering high quality educational experiences for young people.
“It is important that we take the time to pause and recognize the tremendous achievements of these distinguished academies. As part of NAF’s network, these academies have gone above and beyond to provide not only the industry-vetted curriculum, but the resources, mentors, and work-based learning opportunities – including internships – to continue ensuring that our students are college, career, and future ready. Their delivery of the NAF educational design is a testament to what we can do as a network of education, business, and community partners, to deliver high quality learning experiences for our future leaders,” said JD Hoye, President of NAF.
NAF’s annual assessment measures an academy’s strengths and challenges in implementing NAF’s results-driven design. The assessment is crafted to help all academies assess their progress and increase their alignment to NAF’s standards, reflecting national standards developed by researchers and members from similar career and pathway organizations.
“The proof is in the data. NAF students outperform and are better prepared for the future than their non-NAF peers. Being part of the NAF network allows students access to life-changing opportunities that help define their future career paths and provide endless sources of support every step of the way – it’s what sets NAF apart and enables us to serve tens of thousands of high school students each year,” explains Katherine Blasik, Assistant Vice President, Research & Evaluation at NAF.
The Distinguished and Model academies will be recognized at NAF Next, NAF’s annual professional development conference, in Orlando, FL this July.
Distinguished Academies:
• Academy of Finance and Enterprise — Long Island City, NY
• A. J. Moore Academy of Health Services at University High School — Waco, TX
• Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism — North Miami, FL
• Apex High School, Academy of Information Technology — Raleigh, NC
• City Polytechnic High School, Academy of Engineering — Brooklyn, NY
• Columbia Heights Educational Campus, Academy of Hospitality and Tourism – Washington, DC (*new this year)
• Coral Gables Senior High School, Academy of Finance — Miami, FL (*new this year)
• Coral Reef High School, Academy of Finance — Miami, FL
• Crooms Academy of Information Technology — Sanford, FL
• Harmony Magnet Academy of Engineering — Porterville, CA
• Harmony Magnet Academy of Performing Arts — Porterville, Ca (*new this year)
• Hialeah Gardens High School, Academy of Engineering — Miami, FL (*new this year)
• Hialeah Gardens High School, Academy of Information Technology, Miami, FL
• High School, Inc., Academy of Finance — Hartford, CT
• J.P. Taravella High School, Academy of Finance — Broward County, FL
• Jean Ribault High School, Academy of Business and Finance — Jacksonville, FL
• Justin F. Kimball High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism — Dallas, TX
• Lancaster High School, Academy of Finance — Lancaster, NY
• Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Academy of Finance — Broward County, FL
• Mater Academy East Charter High School, Academy of Finance — Miami, FL
• Miami Beach Senior High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism — Miami Beach, FL
• Miami Central Senior High School, Academy of Information Technology — Miami, FL
• Miami Lakes Educational Center, Academy of Health Sciences — Miami FL
• Northeast High School, Academy of Finance — St. Petersburg, FL
• Northport High School, Academy of Finance — Northport, NY
• Palomares Academy of Health Sciences — Pomona, CA
• Pathways Academy of Technology & Design — Hartford, CT
• Porterville High School, Academy of Finance — Porterville, CA
• Porterville High School, Academy of Health Sciences — Porterville CA
• Scotlandville Magnet High School, Academy of Engineering — Baton Rouge, LA
• Southwest Miami High School, Academy of Finance — Miami, FL
• Timber Creek High School, Academy of Information Technology — Orlando, FL
About NAF:
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF’s educational design ignites students’ passion for learning and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce by transforming the learning environment to include STEM infused industry-specific curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships. Since 1982, NAF has been partnering with existing high schools in high-need communities to enhance school systems at a low cost by implementing NAF academies – small learning communities within traditional high schools. NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2015-16 school year nearly 89,000 students attended 716 NAF academies across 36 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. In 2015, NAF academies reported 98% of seniors graduated with 92% of graduates planning to go to college.
###