Academies Earn High Marks From Area Schools

A high school program that connects classrooms to careers is gaining popularity in Ventura County, with health, agriculture and business “academies” already in place.

Dubbed schools-within-schools, academies tailor the high school curriculum to a specific theme, such as technology or tourism. About 125 students take between two and four core subjects within the academy and spend time outside of school getting hands-on experience in their field.

In Ventura County, Moorpark and Santa Paula high schools have led the way in the movement. Santa Paula started its agriculture-science academy four years ago. Moorpark has offered a health sciences academy for four years and a business academy for three years, and is planning three more--one in education, another in engineering and technology and a third in arts and communications.

Fillmore High School is seeking funds for an agriculture program modeled after Santa Paula’s, and Simi Valley High School hopes to start both food service and business academies. And after a recent visit to Moorpark High, Conejo Valley Unified School District administrators are planning academies in technology, health and communications.

“There is a big wave that is starting to move forward,” said Anthony Michaelides, work-based learning coordinator for Ventura County schools. “The students are still learning the basics, but they are learning [them] with a career flavor.”

Students say academies challenge them and make them more competitive in getting jobs and gaining college acceptance. Teachers credit the programs with making learning relevant to students by linking schoolwork to future job opportunities. And principals praise them for fostering relationships with local businesses, which donate scholarship money and offer internships to students.

Educators are careful to point out that students do not have to pursue careers tied to their academy theme. “The students are not picking their careers,” Michaelides said. “They are just exploring different careers to see if they are interested.”

The state Department of Education provides about $14 million each year for high school academies, and districts can compete for state grants to get their academies up and running. They are eligible for $15,000 the first year, $42,000 the second year, $72,000 the third year and $81,000 the fourth year.

The number of academies in California is growing. By spring, there will be 240 in the state, up from 45 six years ago.

“California sometimes gets criticized for education,” said Susan Tidyman, a state Department of Education consultant. “But here we have a model of high school reform that is really succeeding and is being replicated in other states.”

Academies began as vocational education programs to prepare at-risk students for jobs directly out of high school. But many of today’s programs draw high-achieving students who plan to go on to college.

Jaymee Ickes, one of about 125 students in Moorpark’s health sciences academy, wants to be either a veterinarian or a pediatrician. She loves the academy and says she wouldn’t attend “regular” high school if her “life depended on it.”

“The academy gives me confidence,” Jaymee, 17, said. “My teachers work together to help me keep my grades up, so I will get into a good college. And when I go to get a job, the employer will see my experience in the field.”

Teachers often integrate their curriculum into the core subjects--science, math, English and social studies. Even though such planning requires extra work, officials say teachers benefit from academies.

“In addition to being good for kids and getting communities involved, it really re-energizes teachers because they get to be on a team,” Tidyman said.

Most academy programs, which target bright students who lack motivation, succeed in getting kids excited about learning, teachers say. Moorpark High’s academy kids are absent less and get higher grades than before, Assistant Principal Mike Agnitch said.

“The academy students are more engaged in their course work, because they are more interested,” he said. “They see a connection between what they are doing in school and what they want to do in their careers.”

The programs encourage a close relationship between students and teachers. At Moorpark High, students enter the health sciences academy in 10th grade, sticking with the same students and teachers until they graduate. They spend two-thirds of their day in the academy.

“Part of what we do, besides focusing on medical sciences, is build a family,” said Deborah Kolodney, one of the lead teachers of health sciences academy.

Academies also introduce students to possible careers and better prepare them for jobs in those fields. At Moorpark, the health sciences academy students spend about 40 hours volunteering in the field, either through internships or job shadowing. They take field trips to nearby universities and hospitals and they participate in practical health activities at school, such as organizing a blood drive.

When Amber Johnstone started in Moorpark’s health sciences program three years ago, she didn’t know what type of work she wanted to do. Now, she wants to be a labor and delivery nurse.

“It helps you decide,” said Amber, 17. “If you don’t like it, you can get out. But at least you are giving it a chance.”

The 125 students in Santa Paula’s agriculture academy are getting hands-on agricultural experience, both at their high school and in local agribusinesses. They are learning how to cultivate row crops, grow flowers and raise farm animals. They are writing professional research papers, planning an exhibit for a local museum and learning about industry standards.

On a recent morning, students watered the colorful poppies in planters around the high school. After they complete the academy program, they will have preferential admission to major universities.

“Our goal is that every one of our kids will go on to college and come back to Ventura County as a trained professional,” said Ray Sepulveda, director of the Santa Paula academy. “We’re simply using agriculture as the vehicle.”

Santa Paula junior Cassie Dilbeck said she enjoys meeting agricultural leaders from throughout the county, and she knows the program is helping her. “Even if I don’t go to an agriculture school, this will look good on my resume,” she said.

State education officials call the academy movement a success. “Our kids are doing well,” Tidyman said. “They are staying in school, going to college and learning about careers.”