About

Career Academy Overview

A Career Academy is a small learning community within the large traditional high school. Designed as a four-year high school program, the Academy has an open and equitable student recruitment process that results in a student body that reflects the demographics of the community. However, students must be assigned to Apex Friendship High School as their base school in order to apply. Once accepted into the program, students remain together throughout their high school years with a core group of specially trained teachers. The Academy model provides an environment for these teachers to develop interdisciplinary activities that makes learning relevant and captures the interest of students. Through real-world, hands-on experiences, the Academy exposes students to careers within academy career theme. The Academy is designed to equip students with the personal, analytical, technical, and communication skills they need to thrive in a global economy and in the process, introduce them to career opportunities in today’s workforce. Academy students will be prepared and encouraged to continue their education at the post-secondary level and build their careers with a strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) background.

There are many benefits to being a student in a career academy. Students are introduced to broad career opportunities related to the career theme through courses as well as exciting enrichment activities that are only offered to academy students. Students complete a minimum of 135 hour internship during senior year. Graduates acquire the problem solving, teamwork, and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in higher education and beyond. Graduates are more prepared for employment and have more positive career outcomes.

Career Academy Mission, Vision and Value Statements

Vision Statement

WCPSS Career Academies consist of an inclusive, diverse group of future leaders that makes a global difference to fill the skills gap and develop a talent pipeline.

WCPSS career Academies include high-tech classrooms and collaborative work-spaces with cutting edge technology that expose our students to real world situations.

Local, national and worldwide business, industry and government agencies commit, support and sponsor career academies through consistent partnerships that provide the foundation of our programs.

Mission Statement

WCPSS Career Academies will empower a diverse group of students to become collaborative leaders in a global community.

Values

• We value leadership
• We value supportiveness
• We value empowerment
• We value community

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In compliance with federal law, Wake County Public School System administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability.