Career Academies

Woodson NAF/Career Academies (Academy of Engineering, Academy of IT, and Academy of Finance) are STEM initiatives to ensure that Woodson students are college and career ready. Students pursue their standard academic core courses in addition to 3-5 rigorous, career-focused courses exclusive to their Academy.

Students will take at least one industry-recognized certification exam, typically in the 11th or 12th grade. These certifications are viewed as a student’s mastery of skill within their field, and are valued by employers.

Students will have the opportunity to take courses on college campuses during their Academy experience.

Upon graduation from a Career Academy, students will have the opportunity to receive the NAFNext Certification.

Many companies, including AT&T, Cisco, HP,  JPMorgan Chase, Verizon, Xerox and more have promised to give special consideration to job applicants holding a NAFNext Certification, providing Career Academy graduates a significant advantage in the job market

Career Academy students can expect to benefit from the following work based learning opportunities:

• • Mentorship from professionals in students’ career areas of interest
  • Paid internships in students’ field of interest
  • Site visits to and job shadowing opportunities at dynamic workplaces in the District
  • College Tours/Visits

Career Academy Results

• Students in Career Academies tend to have higher high school graduation rates than their peers.
• Students in Career Academies tend to have higher college enrollment rates than their peers.
• 52% of Career Academy graduates earn bachelor’s degrees in four years- compared with 32% nationally.
• Of those who go on to postsecondary education, more than 50% are the first in their families to go to college.
• 90% of students report that the Academies helped them to develop career plans
• 85% of alumni are working in a professional field.
• Academy graduates sustained $16,704 more in total earnings over the 8 years following high school than non-academy group members who were also studied.

Career Academy Directors and Coordinators

IT Academy: Korey Morris (director), Maya Jefferson (coordinator)
ENG:  Renee’ John (director),
Finance: Elizabeth Dunn(director)