Health and Science Academy

The Academy of Health Sciences is designed to address the achievement gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while encouraging students to pursue health-related professions.

“With the graying of the American population, health-related occupations are expected to grow 36 percent through 2016, faster than all other occupations combined,” said JD Hoye, NAF’s president. “Without improved and more rigorous instruction in math and science, our educational system will fail to meet our economy’s workforce demands.”

As an example, a ninth graders at LNCP in the Health and Science Academy may take a class called – Health Careers Exploration and Global Health – that will serve as foundational building blocks for the Academy of Health Sciences’ demanding four-year curriculum. In Health Careers Exploration, students will learn about biotechnology, informatics, therapeutics, health technology and management, and diagnostics. In Global Health, students will be introduced to a range of health issues, including demographic and economic influences on health care, health care systems in other countries, and emerging research in preventative medicine and treatment. The two courses will be developed with leading curriculum experts and health care professionals.

The Academy model being implemented at LNCP is designed to reflect high academic and industry standards. Each academy offers a four-year sequenced curriculum that provides a broad understanding of the field and links to strong core academics. The academies stress project-based course work in small learning communities in “schools-within-a-school” and offer mentoring by business professionals, job shadowing and paid internships.

Click here to download the NAF Academy of Health and Science Curriculum PDF.