Our Approach

It all begins with exposure to the right class, the right internship, the right mentor, or just stepping through the right door.

About Us / Our Approach

At the heart of NAF’s approach is the belief that if you can see it, you can be it. Through exposure to career options and opportunities to build upon one’s aspirations, develop future ready skills, and create critical workplace connections, NAF believes we can transform the high school experience, shape a talented workforce, and support students on their path to achieving economic mobility.

The NAF Design

The traditional NAF approach is focused on the establishment of NAF academies — small learning communities within public schools. These academies are implemented using the NAF design, which includes four core elements:

Academy Development and Structure

NAF academies are structured as small, focused learning communities that fit within and enhance high school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at low cost. We promote open enrollment for our academies in order to maximize every student’s chance at a successful future. The flexible structure encourages teacher collaboration across subject areas and fosters personalization to meet student, school, district, and state needs and goals.

Curriculum & Instruction

NAF provides rigorous, career-focused curricula that incorporate current industry standards and practices, project-based learning, and performance-based assessment. NAF empowers teachers to expand the classroom boundaries by exposing students to real-world issues in career-focused industries through connections with industry professionals and the business community.

Advisory Boards

NAF advisory boards provide an essential bridge between schools and the workplace. Businesspeople and community leaders volunteer on local advisory boards to play an active role in developing their future workforce by shaping talent in high school.

Work-Based Learning and Internships

High quality work-based learning is a proven strategy that provides high school students with experiences to identify and achieve career goals while engaging with industry professionals who are eager to support their unique paths to future success.