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What’s the Difference?

Relationships

  • Academies offer the smaller, personalized environment of small schools
  • Academies offer applied learning opportunities of themed magnet schools
  • Academies are part of the open enrollment/choice schools process, so they are open to all students, regardless of their attendance boundaries
  • Academies partner with business to solve real-world problems for authentic learning
  • Academies focus on 21st Century Skills students need for success in college and life
  • Academies provide a culture of teamwork, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity
  • Academies give students a choice among many different themes
  • Academies provide rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum
  • Academies prepare students for college and career

Rigor

  • Graduation requirements are aligned with college entrance requirements

  • Opportunities for Advanced Placement

  • Opportunities for college credit
  • Challenging Career Education courses

Relevance

  • Students connect their learning to the real-world
  • Students develop a capstone project in their field of interest, which can include a student internship, work-based learning, service learning or a research project
  • Students earn a specialized high school diploma, and engage in extensive volunteer work and work-based learning opportunities that relate to their course of study
  • Students gain advantages in high school, college and careers because of the strong academic foundation and transferable skills