National Academy Foundation Invests In High School Students With Help From The Coca-Cola Foundation

 Partnership Strengthens Work-Based Learning Programs

(August 22, 2011) The National Academy Foundation (NAF) has received a $25,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation to strengthen work-based learning experiences for students in its Atlanta-based academies. Work-based learning is a critical element of NAF’s proven educational model, which fosters relevant and authentic experiences for students that connect classroom learning to real-world application.

Since 2007, The Coca-Cola Company has been a steadfast supporter of NAF’s Annual Benefit, contributing more than $100,000 to support NAF academies and students across the country.  With this new grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Company, NAF academies will engage the local business community and corporate volunteers, and NAF’s field team specialists, experts and program partners will provide coaching and technical assistance for NAF academies. 

"The Coca-Cola Company has been a partner of ours for several years. We are excited that they are strengthening our partnership and joining us in the critical work of preparing the next generation of leaders with the skills they need to succeed and thrive," said JD Hoye, President of NAF.

"At Coca-Cola, we believe education is one of the keys to developing sustainable communities," said Lori George Billingsley, Vice President, Community Connections, Coca-Cola Refreshments.  "We support education and youth development organizations that teach young people about the countless opportunities they have to better their communities. Most importantly, we support programs that truly prepare and empower youth to go out and create positive change."

About The National Academy Foundation

The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is an acclaimed network of career-themed academies that open doors for underserved high school students to viable careers. For nearly 30 years, NAF has refined a proven model that provides young people access to industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals.  NAF academies focus on one of four career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, and engineering. Employees of more than 2,500 companies volunteer in classrooms, act as mentors, engage NAF students in paid internships, and serve on local Advisory Boards. During the 2009-10 school years, 500 NAF academies served more than 50,000 students across 40 states, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. NAF’s national graduation rate of 90% testifies to the effectiveness this effort.