Academy of Finance

NAF’s Academy of Finance is the longest-running and largest of our career pathways.

The Future of Finance

NAF Academy of Finance students have access to career-focused curricula and participate in work-based learning. As alumni, they have worked for global Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and public service organizations. Nearly 32,000 students benefit from the NAF Approach at 171 Academies of Finance nationwide.

Our Approach

The NAF Approach is simple. Our Academies of Finance are small learning communities within high schools or districts that support students in igniting their aspirations, growing professional and industry skills, and connecting with industry experts through career-focused curricula and work-based learning:

Career-Connected Curricula

Our Academy of Finance curricula align with competencies identified by industry partners, professional organizations, and postsecondary institutions as essential for success in college and career. Our curricula includes Finance, Accounting, and Entrepreneurship, and Insurance Authentic learning projects in partnership with career experts like Finance Expeditions.

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Work-Based Learning

Our students build future ready skills and social capital to fuel their aspirations through hands-on learning experiences such as business design projects and competitions, internships, mentorship, financial literacy programs, and more while connecting with industry professionals to make informed choices and be successful in their future careers.

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Our Impact

32,917

Students in 171 Academies

99%

of Seniors Graduated

89%

Plan to Go to College

Industry Need

Our career pathways support growing industries and the needs of the local community. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics*, Employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow faster than the average of all occupations from 2024 to 2034, adding about 942,500 new jobs annually, and has a median annual wage of $81K. Globalization, a growing economy, and a complex tax and regulatory environment will lead to strong demand for accountants and auditors.

9.4M

New Jobs by 2034*

$81K

Median Annual Wage*

Stories from our NAF Academies of Finance

Most teenagers never learn about money in school but NAF Academy of Finance students do. Explore five practical financial literacy lessons designed for high schoolers, covering everything from reading your first paycheck to the power of compound interest.

After 20 years as a bank auditor, Jasmine Palmer-Gray found her calling teaching finance in her hometown of Detroit. Get an inside look at how her NAF Academy of Finance classroom turns real-world experience into life-changing lessons for students.