Academy Development

NAF’s educational design includes four essential elements of practice that help ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready.

Year of Planning

The Year of Planning (YOP) program is the developmental process for implementing a NAF academy.

NAF academy portfolio managers provide guided technical assistance to align academy resources and programs to ensure that NAF’s design elements are in place before an academy opens in its Launch Year.

The YOP Guide is a comprehensive outline of the YOP program. The Academy Design Team (ADT) uses guiding questions to lead discussions and a pacing guide to establish the timeline to create goals and complete strategic actions. Note: The YOP program is self-paced and flexible to meet local needs. Adjust pacing as needed.

Get Started

The first step in building an academy is recruiting the Academy Design Team (ADT), a multi-disciplinary group. The ADT ensures that the school supports the academy’s vision and mission to launch a NAF academy.

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Year of Planning Pacing One Pager

The Year of Planning (YOP) program pacing calendar with linked resources to develop the academy design plan.

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Month 1: Team Building & Leadership

Recruit Academy Design Team (ADT). Complete YOP Snapshot 1 to develop Action Plan.

Month 2: Program of Study

Develop Program of Study with advanced academics and early college options.

Month 3: Student Recruitment & Enrollment

Create open, choice-based student recruitment plan.

Months 4-5: Academy Quality Process

Develop a data collection plan to track student progress toward NAFTrack Certification. Complete YOP Snapshot 2 to update Action Plan goals.

Months 5-6: Advisory Board Development

Formulate an employer engagement plan including advisory board recruitment.

Months 6-7: Work-Based Learning Program

Develop a Work-Based Learning plan for all academy grades with advisory board participation.

Months 7-8: College & Career Readiness

Develop a college and career readiness plan.

Months 8-9: YOP Graduation Preparation

Schedule a YOP graduation readiness session and graduation meeting. Complete YOP Assessment including evidence upload.

Coordinate a new student orientation open-house before school starts. Organize Launch Year celebrations at the start of school.

Next: Month 1: Team Building and Leadership

Explore the YOP Guide

» Year of Planning
» Month 1: Team Building and Leadership
» Month 2: Program of Study
» Month 3: Student Recruitment & Enrollment
» Months 4-5: Academy Quality Process
» Months 5-6: Advisory Board Development
» Months 6-7: Work-Based Learning Plan
» Months 7-8: College & Career Readiness
» Months 8-9: YOP Graduation Preparation
» Launch Year
» YOP Assessment