DCPS Career & Technical Education Programs

NAF College & Career Academies

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Academy of Information Technology

The Academy of Information Technology (IT) prepares students for career opportunities in programming, database administration, web design and administration, digital networks, and other areas in the expanding digital workplace. Through classroom topics such as 3-D modeling, animation, mobile device applications, and coding, students will be prepared to develop solutions in a multitude of platforms and programming languages. Employment in areas of IT is projected to grow 12 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations, giving students ample competitive tech opportunities upon graduation.

The IT Academies are located at the following DCPS high schools: Ballou High School, Cardozo EC, Columbia Heights EC, Dunbar High School, Eastern High School, Jackson-Reed High School, MacArthur High School, McKinley Technology High School, Phelps High School, and Woodson High School.

For more information on each Academy’s point of contact, see the High School Pages.

For more information on each Academy’s program of study, see the Programs of Study Pages.

Academy of Global Service & Diplomacy

The Academy of Global Service & Diplomacy, located at Roosevelt High School, provides students with knowledge, skills, and experiences to prepare them for dynamic careers in International Relations, Foreign Policy, and International Commerce. In an increasingly interconnected world, careers in international diplomacy will become even more essential and will continue to grow. In this program, students explore political science theories and careers, and learn essential communication, research, and writing skills. Industry partners, which provide internships and other work-based learning opportunities, include the US Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Department of State, and the Inter-American Development Bank.

For more information on the Academy points of contact, see the Roosevelt High School Page.

For more information on the Academy’s program of study, see Foreign Service and Diplomacy.

Academy of Civil Engineering & Architecture

The Academy of Civil Engineering & Architecture, at Anacostia High School, digs deep into the engineering design process and application of math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. Students will develop skills in building and site design and development, and will have the opportunity to become certified in Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in Revit Architecture, and Autodesk Certified User (ACU) in AutoCAD. Through a variety of internship opportunities with local partners including Accenture, and Pepco, students will learn essential career skills such as leadership, communication, and professionalism.

For more information on the Academy points of contact, see the Anacostia High School Page.

For more information on the Academy’s program of study, see Civil Engineering and Architecture.

Academy of Finance

The Academy of Finance, located at Columbia Heights EC, Jackson-Reed High School, and Woodson High School, consists of coursework designed to familiarize students with the knowledge and skills in economies and private enterprise systems, the impact of global business, the marketing of goods and services, advertising, and product pricing. Students analyze the sales process and financial management principles. The Finance curriculum is designed to promote learning, reinforce, apply, and transfer academic knowledge and skills to a variety of exciting and relevant activities, problems, and settings in business, marketing, and finance.

For more information on the Academy points of contact, see the High School Pages.

For more information on the Academy’s program of study, see Finance.

Academy of Public Leadership

The Academy of Public Leadership at Anacostia High School will prepare students for a variety of careers in government and public safety, including local, state, and federal government, national security, law enforcement, protective services and corrections. Students will study legal concepts and review essential cases in constitutional law, as well as examine the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, and corrections. They will learn essential career skills such communication, collaboration, and professionalism, preparing them for a career in public leadership. Industry partnerships include the National Guard, Allied Universal, and US Homeland Security.

For more information on the Academy points of contact, see the Anacostia High School Page.

For more information on the Academy’s program of study, see Law Enforcement (Public Safety).

Academy of Mass Media

Careers in audio and video technology and film production span all aspects of the audio/video communications industry, and is a fast-growing, high-skill area of need. The Mass Media Academies at Ballou HS and Coolidge HS develop students with technical knowledge and skills needed for success in arts, audio/video technology, and communications careers. Students in these programs develop an understanding of the industry with a focus on pre-production, production, and post-production audio and video products. Students leave the program with the industry certification Adobe Photoshop Premier Pro.

Academy of Hospitality and Tourism

The Academy of Hospitality and Tourism are two of the world’s largest industries and one of the fastest growing in the District of Columbia. Students in the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism, offered at Ballou HS, Columbia Heights EC, and Wilson HS, complete a sequence of courses designed in partnership with the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Throughout the program, students learn about the hospitality industry and participate in work-based and experiential learning opportunities, including field trips to restaurants, post-secondary institutions, and wholesale food companies.

Academy of Engineering

The Academy of Engineering answers an acute need for engineers in the US by educating high school students in the principles of engineering and providing exciting learning in the fields of electronics, biotechnology, aerospace, civil engineering, and architecture. The Academy of Engineering, offered at six DCPS high schools: Cardozo EC, Columbia Heights EC, Dunbar HS, McKinley Technology HS, Phelps ACE HS, and Woodson HS, uses Project Lead the Way curricula to provide opportunities to apply science, technology, engineering, and math through project-based, hands-on courses. Students in these programs have completed internships with Pepco, the Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Transportation.

Academy of Biotechnology

The Academy of Biotechnology, at McKinley Technology High School is a four-course program which prepares students in the emerging and in-demand career fields of biotechnology such as agricultural, medical, regulatory, and forensics. In the classroom, students use sophisticated laboratory equipment, perform statistical analysis, and practice quality-control techniques. Outside of the classroom, students go on exciting site visits such as the DC Department of Forensic Science and attend a live thoracic surgery at GW Hospital.

For more information on the Academy points of contact, see the McKinley Tech High School page.

For more information on the Academy’s program of study, see Biotechnology.

Academy of Health Sciences

The Academy of Health Sciences, located at Coolidge High School, Eastern High School, and Jackson-Reed High School, develops a pipeline of students prepared to pursue health-related degrees and professions in one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. The Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science curriculum provides students with activities like practicing suturing and constructing body structures from clay. The program empowers students to build knowledge and skills in biomedical science, as well as in-demand, transportable skills like problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, and collaboration. Work-based learning includes internships with Georgetown MedStar Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, and the Emergency Preparedness Program.