Are there any prerequisites?
Prerequisites vary depending on the academy. Some academies target at-risk students; others work with university path students, while others recruit primarily those “in the middle”. Thus, prerequisites differ based on the target audience and the level of difficulty of curriculum within the academy program.

Can students be terminated from the program?
Yes. Students a not guaranteed a position in the program. They can be terminated due to absenteeism, tardiness, attitude, low grades or infractions during the internship. This decision would be made on a student-to student basis. The decision is left to the individual school.

How many students do academies serve?
This depends on the focus of the school. In some cases, all students are enrolled in an academy upon entering the ninth grade. In other schools with only one academy, there could be anywhere from 40 to 50 (to twice as many) students enrolled in one academy program. Other schools have multiple academies, but not all students are academy students. The number of academies determines the total number of students enrolled.

How are students selected for the academy?
Most are selected by application. This process varies depending upon number of students eligible and the number of academies within the high school. The application process implies importance and acceptability to students and parents.

Are students in academies eligible for articulation in
post-secondary education?
Yes. Some students receive as many as 18-22 credits articulated with two year post-secondary institutions in the state of Tennessee. Nashville State Community College is one example of a two-year institution offering articulated credit for specific associate degree programs.

Is there an academy which includes entrepreneurship?
All academies that have been researched thus far reflect many entrepreneurial aspects. While no academy has been designated as an entrepreneurial academy, many academies include entrepreneurial aspects within their curriculum.

Does school size have a bearing on academy set-up feasibility
School size doesn't determine whether or not you can have an academy. Essentially, any school can have an academy program. The number of academies and the industrial makeup of the school community factor into the number of academies that a school can successfully run.

Do academies replace traditional co-op programs?
No. Traditional co-op programs, with strong work-based learning experiences, continue to thrive. Academies and internships are simply an additional avenue of career exploration for students.

How are academies accepted by other teachers?
In most cases, non-academy teachers accept academies well in areas where there has been good communication about the purpose and development of IT Academies. It is very important that academy coordinators keep non-academy teachers aware of academy objectives and success.

Is the academy a separate department from the regular school department?
The academy department incorporates several departments of the school. It is a school-within-a-school concept, which separates it, but, at the same time, integrates different disciplines.

Is the academy appropriate for us? How will it affect our school and community?
When considering an academy model, many factors should be examined. School districts and/or business community representatives must come together to talk realistically about shared support of a program. Important issues to discuss include concentration or cluster focus of the academy, the ability to provide paid internships for academy students, resource identification. Advisory board support, commitment to teacher training and the implementation of the curriculum within overall diploma requirements.

How do I start the process of establishing an “academy” in my school and/or community?
As with any new educational program in a public high school, the implementation of an academy takes planning district approval, and funding. The first step should be to assess the needs of the local community for jobs within the seven career clusters identified by the State Board of Education. Those clusters that seem to best meet the needs of the community could be established within the academy concept.

What Happens when Academy classes aren't scheduled separately for only academy students.
Awkward situations result. If the class is made up predominantly of academy students, then the few who aren't in the program feel left out. Attempts to forge ties among students are harmed. If academy classes become substantially smaller than others in the school, some high schools may require acceptance of some non-academy students to provide balance. Mixed class situations can become a problem for the teacher in presenting and assigning lessons.

Approximately, what does the academy cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of academy that is implemented. Some programs use existing curriculum while others require the purchase of a particular curriculum. Professional development costs vary with the type of academy. The time key personnel commit to the program is an additional cost.

Where can we obtain resources to establish and operate an academy?
Look to existing resources and the school's community to identify sources for realignment or develop new sources. Grant funds are also available in the Smaller Learning Communities grants offered by the U.S. Department of Education.