(The Center Square) – Students’ real-world experience and relationships with local businesses with an eye on career aspirations were shown this week by two North Carolina high schools to the leader of the state’s Internal Operations Division within the Department of Information Technology.
Gray’s Creek High in Hope Mills and Pine Forest High on the outskirts of Fayetteville are providing the opportunity for dozens of students in work-based learning academies. The two traditional public high schools and the program welcomed Torre Jessup, the chief deputy and deputy state chief information officer with a chance to show the gains realized before students cross the stage with a diploma.
Students, administrators and business leaders work in tandem with the nonprofit National Academy Foundation in the programs. Skills on the job are provided for students. The organization headquartered in New York bills itself with a college-bound rate of 89%, graduates joining the workforce or military at 64%, senior graduation rate of 99%, and boasts 619 academies nationwide in 34 states and territories.
Gray’s Creek and Pine Forest, which have about 150 students in the academies, had 100% graduation last year, with 90% going on to college.
During Jessup’s visit, a presentation was followed by a roundtable discussion. Achievements, experiences and aspirations were shared. Business leaders around the Cumberland County schools were in another panel discussion, with practical advice about internships, networking and staying current with emerging trends.
Jessup said the state is supportive of the educational opportunities offered, and the technology initiatives. Preparation for the digital workforce of the 21st century includes gaining and enhancing skills for analysis, technical and communication.
Thirty-eight different high schools serving nearly 8,000 students are in the 53 National Academy Foundation academies in North Carolina.
