James Madison Academic Campus is an MPS high school on the Northwest Side of Milwaukee. It is a United Way Community School that operates three NAF Academies: Finance, Hospitality and Tourism, and Health Science.
NAF is an educational non-profit organization formerly known as the National Academy Foundation. NAF academies operate primarily in urban public school districts, and has been partnering with existing high schools in high-need communities to enhance school systems at a low cost. NAF academies can take the form of small learning communities within larger schools or as stand-alone public high schools. NAF currently has academies in 21 of the 25 largest school districts in the United States. NAF academies are organized around one of five career themes – Finance, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Technology, Health Sciences, or Engineering –viable industries with demonstrated growth and strong potential in the years ahead. In addition to core academic courses, students take industry-specific classes related to these themes and participate in work-based learning activities to put their lessons into action.
To give JMAC students the opportunity to turn lessons into action, the JMAC Advisory Board and teachers have carefully designed opportunities for JMAC students to interact throughout the semester with the professional worlds of Health Sciences Hospitality and Tourism, and Finance. These desired interactions include classroom speaker visits, field trips and experiences, job shadowing, internships, and opportunities for professionals to mentor student and assist with work-based learning projects.
National Academy Foundation: Academy of Health Science
The NAF Academy of Health Science connects high school students interested in pursuing health-related degrees and professions in healthcare, one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. The curriculum covers an introduction to healthcare careers, foundations in healthcare, and partners with Project-Lead-the-Way science courses such as Biomedical Science, Human Body Systems, and Medical Interventions.
National Academy Foundation: Academy of Finance
The NAF Academy of Finance connects high school students with the world of financial services and personal finance, offering a curriculum that covers banking and credit, financial planning, global finance, securities, insurance, accounting, and economics.
National Academy Foundation: Academy of Hospitality and Tourism
In conjunction with our culinary arts programs, the NAF Academy of Hospitality and Tourism connects high school students with opportunities in hospitality, event management, lodging, and tourism activities, offering a curriculum that covers event planning, culinary arts, global cultures/geography, leisure activities, and hospitality management.
Activities include
- Career Day – Professionals discuss their careers, what they do and the type of education required
- Tours and industry visits
- Mentoring
- Job shadowing
- Project evaluation
- Classroom education
- Part time job or internship opportunities
The JMAC Advisory Board created a semester calendar that includes each health science and finance teacher’s curriculum and desired speaker dates for various curriculum-related topics. Additionally, the calendar will include other opportunities for partnering organizations to offer job shadowing, field trips and support for work-based learning semester long projects.
- More information about NAF can be found here: naf.org/about
- Curriculum and project descriptions
If you are interested in volunteering by being a speaker, mentoring, helping with projects or hosting a field experience contact our NAF Team directly through our Community Schools Coordinator or NAF Director.
What an exciting and rewarding possibility to interact and provide inspiration for these students from our everyday experiences! Please consider adding your knowledge and talent to this project.