National Academy Foundation Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Career Academies
New York, NY…..The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first career academy. NAF supports one of the largest career academy networks in the United States, with over 500 NAF Academies in 41 states and the District of Columbia. The first NAF Academy was founded 27 years ago.
The first career academy was started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Edison High School. In the 2004 National Center for Education Statistics Schools and Staffing Survey, 4,800 high schools nationwide reported having at least one career academy, defined as “a multi-year program in which the curriculum integrates academic and career/technical education courses organized around one or more broad career themes.”
"The development of the first career academy 40 years ago planted a seed that has grown into thousands of successful career academies nationwide," said JD Hoye, President of the National Academy Foundation. "Over forty years we have seen how career academies can change young people’s lives and support them toward attending college and entering professional careers."
The NAF Academy model integrates career-themed curriculum with workplace experiences such as job shadowing and paid internships, and draws on community volunteers from business and higher education to provide mentoring and support for young people.
A recent study of career academy students conducted by MDRC found that eight years after graduation, minority male students who attended career academies have significantly higher earnings than their non-academy counterparts.
During this 40th anniversary of career academies, The National Career Academy Coalition, in partnership other career academy organizations including NAF, has released the policy document, "High School Career Academies: A 40-Year Proven Model for Improving College and Career Readiness." The paper highlights recent research that validates the efficacy of career academies.
NAF has also posted a conversation with two Academy graduates and NAF President JD Hoye highlighting Academy alumni success.
About the National Academy Foundation
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is an acclaimed national network of high school career academies – or schools within schools – predominately based in urban districts- with rigorous, career-themed curricula created with current industry and educational expertise. Each year, NAF serves more than 50,000 students in over 500 Academies in 41 states and the District of Columbia through the Academy of Finance, the Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, and the Academy of Information Technology. NAF was founded by Sanford I. Weill, Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup Inc., as a partnership between business leaders and educators. Employees of more than 2,500 businesses support NAF students by securing paid internships, volunteering in classrooms, acting as mentors, and serving on local Advisory Boards. NAF's record of success with 90% graduation rates and more than 80% of these graduates going on to college, has garnered the support of corporations, public policy makers, and foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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Featured Event
Groundhog Job Shadow
Feb 02, 2012 (All day)
Each February, NAF participates in National Groundhog Job Shadow Day (NGJSD), a national campaign that gives young people a new perspective on their studies through hands-on learning and a one-day mentoring experience. >
Students are paired with a mentor who they will "shadow" throughout the day to experience how the skills they learn in the classroom can be applied to the real world. This event also provides an opportunity to introduce future employees to the vast array of careers available as well as supporting community efforts. >