For over 35 years, Education Nonprofit Has Prepared the Next Generation of Leaders to be College, Career, and Future Ready
February 05, 2018 (New York, NY) – There are over 100,000 students in classrooms across the country with a new set of opportunities due to the fact that NAF, a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that high school students are college, career, and future ready, announced that their annual enrollment topped the 100,000 mark. A major milestone in the organization’s 35+ year history, this achievement will provide even more young people with opportunities for success in achieving their best possible futures – especially in underserved populations.
Since 1982, NAF has been partnering with high-need communities to improve outcomes for students by implementing NAF academies – small learning communities within existing high schools – at a low cost. NAF connects the working world with the classroom by infusing STEM and work-based learning experiences into the curriculum and 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, engineering, information technology, and health sciences.
Founded by nationally-recognized philanthropist, Sanford I. Weill, NAF provides solutions to challenges facing education and the workforce by bringing education, business, and community leaders together to transform the high school experience and amplify student success. Through NAF’s innovative educational design, teachers have the platform to be creative and seize learning opportunities that make education relevant to life after high school for students. Businesspeople can shape America’s future workforce at the local and national levels, by engaging in work-based learning opportunities, including job shadows, guest speaking opportunities, worksite tours, as well as the culminating experience – the paid internship. Most importantly, by providing access to equal opportunity, students have the chance to reach their full potential.
NAF President, JD Hoye, said, “As an organization, we are thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement and are honored to be serving over 100,000 students enrolled in NAF academies across the United States. This milestone would not have been possible without the hard work, dedication, and passion of each and every individual across our national network. It is also a reminder that there’s more work to be done in providing more students with employer-led opportunities, such as internships, and will require the buy-in and support of the business community to continue making our shared vision a reality for years to come.”
In 2017, NAF academies reported 97% of seniors graduated with 90% of graduates planning to go to college.
###
About NAF:
NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure that high school students are college, career, and future ready.
NAF works with high need communities to transform the high school experience through an educational design that includes industry-specific curricula, work-based learning experiences, and relationships with business professionals, culminating in a paid internship. NAF academies fit within and enhance school systems, allowing NAF to become an integral part of a plan for higher achievement at a low cost. NAF academies focus on one of five career themes: finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences. During the 2017-18 school year, more than 100,000 students attended 644 NAF academies across 36 states, including DC and the US Virgin Islands. In 2017, NAF academies reported 97% of seniors graduated with 90% of graduates with post-secondary intentions. For more information, please visit: https://naf.org.