The National Academy Foundation's Academy Development Model is intended to assist interested school and district leaders, along with community partners in deciding whether to introduce or expand the NAF Academy Model in their community. The model is a summary of the rigorous proposal process outlined separately in NAF's Academy Planning Guide. It is also appropriate for school districts interested in expanding upon existing Academy sites. NAF currently supports the establishment of local Academies of Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, and is exploring theme development in other growth sectors.
NAF has been working with high schools in the development of career-themed academies for over 20 years. NAF's mission is to ensure that Academy students graduate from high school prepared for college, careers, and active civic engagement. The Academy model increases the engagement of high school students and provides a vehicle by which stakeholders beyond the walls of the school contribute to the educational experiences of youth.
Developing a successful career Academy is rewarding, yet challenging, work. When Academies are developed carefully and thoroughly, the impact on students can be substantial. The lack of attention to process and planning, however, can lead to difficulties in launching and sustaining the academy. NAF's experience in supporting Academies has shown that successful planning must be undertaken by a group of stakeholders from a number of constituencies. Moreover, we believe that the process is developmental. For people in diverse organizations, such as schools and their surrounding communities, process maps constitute an effective tool to guide their work together.
The Academy Development Model is designed to provide an overview of NAF's process, from the time that local stakeholders begin to think about implementing an Academy, through planning, implementation, launch, and sustainability. The Model also provides planning teams with an outline of what to do at each stage.
