The Health Academy Program is a 4 year educational program for students interested in pursuing a career in a patient care field of medicine. This includes many different jobs including doctors, nurses, medical assistants, x-ray technicians, respiratory therapists, psychologists, veterinarians and more. This is a "school within a school" type program where students travel together in a cohort throughout the day. The English, Math, Social Studies and Science classes tie into the healthcare theme to make the curriculum more relevant and real for the students. The sophomore through senior English classes are designed to incorporate health topics into every unit and have a patient care, public health or mental health focus. Students also get experience in the medical field through volunteer, job shadow and internship opportunities. Professional skills are also emphasized throughout the four years of the Health Academy. Senior year, students take and get certified in Community Health Worker and may add Medical Assisting or Emergency Medical Technician to their schedule. These courses require the students to be able to do a specified number of clinical hours second semester. This is also a dropout prevention program so students do not need a high grade point average to enter.

Students may enter the 9th grade program by registering for Exploring Health and Medical Careers when they schedule for their high school classes.  There are no requirements for this year although students will be removed from the class if they have been in fights or caught stealing during the spring semester of 8th grade.

To enter the 10th grade program, students must fill out an application that is signed by their parent. This lets us know that they have parent support to continue or join the Health Academy. Students who are in the Exploring Health and Medical Careers class receive automatic entry if they express interest unless their GPA is below 1.8 or they have had referrals for fighting during 9th grade. This is a program for students who want to make something of themselves and we don't accept students who bring drama into the classroom. Other applicants must have a minimum 1.5 GPA, good attendance and again no referrals.  There is an interview process to determine which students will be a good fit for the program.

If there is space available, students may enter during the junior year. The process is the same as applying for the sophomore year. Students must be in the junior year of the program to take the senior Health Academy class (currently Advanced Concepts for the Medical Professional) and be considered a Health Academy student.

HOSA is an international student organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education (HSE) Division of ACTE. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the health care industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people. HOSA's goal is to encourage all health science instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HSE-HOSA Partnership.

HOSA provides a unique program of leadership development, motivation, and recognition exclusively for secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or have interests in pursuing careers in health professions. HOSA is 100% health care!

Since its inception in 1976, HOSA has grown steadily reaching over 245,000 members through 54 chartered HOSA Associations, American Samoa, Canada, District of Columbia, Germany, Italy, and Puerto Rico.

HOSA is not a club to which a few students in school join. Rather, HOSA is a powerful instructional tool that is integrated into the Health Academy  and health science related curriculum and classroom. Health Academy instructors are committed to the development of the total person. Those who join the HOSA Partnership recognize the importance of providing students with training far beyond the basic technical skills needed for entry into the health care field. The rapidly changing health care system needs dedicated workers who, in addition to their technical skills, are people-oriented and capable of playing a leadership or followership role as a member of a health care team.

HOSA's mission is especially critical when considering the acute shortage of qualified workers for the health care industry. It is essential that the HSE-HOSA Partnership maintain its momentum and encourage all HSE instructors to integrate HOSA into their curriculum and classrooms.

From HOSA.ORG

HOSA: Future Health Professionals is also an afterschool chapter that meets 1-2 times a week after school to prepare for the State Leadership Conference and competitions.