Our Mission & Approach

The mission of the National Academy Foundation (NAF) is to sustain a national network of career academies to support the development of America's youth toward personal and professional success in high school, in higher education, and throughout their careers.
 
More than 90% of NAF Academy students graduate from high school—compared to 50% in the urban areas where most NAF Academies exist; four out of five graduates pursue college or other post-secondary education.
 
NAF’s success in raising the standard of academic and financial achievement among young people – especially among underperforming students – has garnered the endorsement of corporations, public policy makers, and foundations, such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
 
NAF Academies function as dynamic partnerships and collaborations between schools, teachers, administrators, business volunteers, and an active Advisory Board led by industry professionals. Some Academies operate as smaller schools within larger public high schools; others function as stand-alone public schools.
 
Each year, NAF serves more than 50,000 students in approximately 500 Academies in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Students choose from among the following Academy themes: Academy of Finance, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, Academy of Information Technology, and Academy of Engineering.