Federal Government Gets Some HELP from NAF

Karen Webber-Ndour, Principal, National Academy Foundation High School, Baltimore, Maryland, testified in front of the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee as part of their consideration of the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act (called No Child Left Behind in its current form). Her testimony outlined elements that are essential to a high-quality high school with a career academy approach, and how reauthorization of ESEA might support such strategies. Read her testimony or watch the hearing.

Alum's Experience Comes Full Circle

Natasha Ghatak is a 2003 alumna of the Gaithersburg High School Academy of Finance in Maryland who went on to study at the University of Maryland, thanks in part to a scholarship from Citi she received through her academy. Natasha now works for Marriott and serves as co-chair of the Academy of Finance Advisory Board.  This year, she established and presented the first ever M. J. Ghatak Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, to Leslie Galfond, an Academy of Finance student at Gaithersburg High School.

Graduation Season Means New Schools

As the school year winds down, 30 schools are gearing up for the fall when 33 new NAF academies will open in their schools.  Having graduated from the Year of Planning program, these academies will join the NAF network, many of them opening their doors to students for the first time.  View the full list of schools opening academies.

Call for Curriculum Fellows

We are now recruiting for the 2010-11 NAF Curriculum Fellows. NAF is looking for teachers who have not yet implemented the NAF curriculum in their academies or wish to expand the number of NAF courses offered. This program offers teachers direct training in any NAF course, stipends and travel. For further information, contact Laura Fidler at laura@naf.org.

On May 10, NAF held its annual Gala Benefit Concert featuring an amazing performance by four-time Tony-award winner Audra McDonald. The event raised over $1.8 million and celebrated the meaningful interaction between Academy students and business people that takes place every day at NAF academies. More than 100 students were in attendance to share their experiences and network with the event's corporate donors. Check out our photo highlights!

Connecticut Business Industry Association Connects Hartford Students with Internships

Fifty high school juniors and seniors from three Hartford area NAF academies -- the Academy of Engineering and Green Technology, Pathways to Technology, and High School, Inc.-- attended a half-day orientation to prepare them for paid spring and summer internships offered by CBIA member companies. Internship arrangements are flexible, and CBIA's Education Foundation is assisting with various aspects of the program, serving as a liaison between employers and the three schools.

Career Academies Create More Opportunities for NC students

Academies at Apex High School are seen as a positive force in preparing students for life beyond high school.  Read about the impact their program has had on local education reform.

William A. Gregory Foundation Awards Scholarships to AOF Students

Each year, the William A. Gregory Foundation presents scholarships to outstanding Academy of Finance students from Armwood, Brandon, Chamberlain, and Thomas Jefferson High Schools at the annual Hillsborough County AOF Completer Celebration Breakfast in Tampa, Florida.  Several scholarships ranging from one to five thousand dollars are awarded and one outstanding student receives a $20,000 award.  Over the past several years, they have given out more than $250,000 to AOF graduates in Hillsborough County. Congrats to this year's winners!