Newest Members Become Part of a Transformative Movement to Ensure All High School Students are College, Career, and Future Ready
(June 26, 2025 – New York, NY) – NAF is delighted to welcome 40 new academies into our national network for the 2025-26 school year. As an emerging academy, students have the opportunity to take career-focused courses and participate in work-based learning experiences to help them become future ready.
High schools participating in NAF’s Admissions process either graduate from NAF’s rigorous Year of Planning (YOP) or Fast Track (FT) program.
The Admissions process involves activities to assess and align high school programs and resources with the standards of practice of NAF’s design to start an academy successfully. NAF works to ensure all stakeholders develop a lasting relationship with academies and are well-trained and confident in implementing the NAF design. The process establishes a sustainable foundation for a high-quality academy, creating a shared vision and mission to fulfill the school and community goals.
High schools enrolled in NAF’s emerging academy programs gain access to a guided assessment process that informs and directs the work of advance program planning and development, technical assistance from NAF, professional development, a full suite of resources, and NAF-developed, industry-validated curriculum.
New Academies Include:
Callaway High School, Academy of Information Technology – Jackson, MS (FT)
Center Point High School, Academy of Finance – Center Point, AL (YOP)
Crossroads High School, School-Wide NAF Academy – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
East Hartford High School, Academy of Engineering – East Hartford, CT (FT)
East Kentwood High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism – Kentwood, MI (YOP)
Edison High School, Academy of Green Energy & Technologies – Fresno, CA (FT)
Eleanor Roosevelt High School, Academy of Finance – Greenbelt, MD (FT)
Elvira M. Colón Negrón, Academy of Information Technology – Santa Isabel, PR (FT)
Escuela Superior Benito Cerezo Vázquez, Academy of Information Technology – Aguadilla, PR (FT)
Fallston High School, Academy of Finance – Fallston, MD (FT)
Freedom High School, Academy of Finance – Tampa, FL (FT)
Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Harold S. Vincent High School, Academy of Agricultural Science – Milwaukee, WI (FT)
Hope Academy, Academy of Business Administration – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Hope Academy, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Huffman High School, Academy of Business & Finance – Birmingham, AL (YOP)
Innovation Central High School, Academy of Business, Leadership, & Entrepreneurship – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Innovation Central High School, Academy of Design & Construction – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Innovation Central High School, Academy of Health Sciences & Technology – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Innovation Central High School, Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Innovation Central High School, Academy of Teaching, Learning, & Social Justice – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, Academy of Health Sciences – Detroit, MI (YOP)
KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, Academy of Finance – Atlanta, GA (FT)
Lanier Jr. Sr. High School, Academy of Health Sciences – Jackson, MS (FT)
Lee High School, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism – Wyoming, MI (YOP)
Lighthouse Academy, Academy of Business Administration – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Lighthouse Academy, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
Maya Angelou Public Charter High School, Academy of Business Management & Entrepreneurship – Washington, DC (FT)
McAdory High School, Academy of Finance – McCalla, AL (YOP)
National Academy Foundation High School, Academy of Information Technology – Baltimore, MD (FT)
Palo Alto Middle College High School, Academy of Work Experience – Los Altos Hills, CA (YOP)
Provine High School, Academy of Business, Finance, and Entrepreneurship – Jackson, MS (FT)
Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy, Academy of Digital Media – Denver, CO (YOP)
Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, Academy of Horticultural Science – Washington, DC (FT)
SEED School of Los Angeles, Academy of Transportation Infrastructure – Los Angeles, CA (FT)
Thomas Jefferson High School, Academy of the Arts – Auburn, WA (YOP)
Union High School, Academy of Sustainable Agriscience – Grand Rapids, MI (YOP)
United Charter High School for Advanced Math & Science III, Academy of Engineering – Brooklyn, NY (YOP)
United Charter High School for Advanced Math & Science IV, Academy of Hospitality & Tourism – Queens, NY (FT)
Wenonah High School, Academy of Business & Finance – Birmingham, AL (YOP)
“We’re thrilled to welcome the newest members of the NAF family – our Year of Planning and Fast Track academies!” said Lisa Dughi, NAF Chief Executive Officer. “Your commitment to preparing students to be future ready and reach their full potential is truly inspiring. We applaud your passion and are excited to support your work as you build meaningful opportunities for young people. Together, we will celebrate the incredible success your students are sure to achieve!”
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About NAF
NAF is a national education non-profit that brings schools and businesses together to better prepare students of all backgrounds. Since 1980, NAF has led a movement for immersive, career-focused teaching and work-based learning in high school. With the support of NAF community-based advisory boards, schools connect with the workforce to fuel shared progress—from creating career-connected curriculum and paid internship opportunities, to fostering innovation and building future-ready businesses. NAF helps students explore career options, create a plan for the future, and take part in hands-on, work-based learning unlike anything traditional public education systems can offer. NAF puts students on a path to achieving their full potential.
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; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework. During the 2024-25 school year, over 112,000 students attended over 600 NAF academies across 34 states and territories. In 2024, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 90% of graduates planning to go to college. Learn more at naf.org and follow us on social @NAFCareerAcads.