SVHS Career Academies
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What is a Career Academy?

• A Career Academy focuses on a broad occupational area.
• Students learn about the career of their interest while completing all Maryland state graduation requirements, academy requirements and an academy capstone experience.
• Students take 4 to 6 courses within the academy during the three-year period.

Why Career Academies?

• Students are more successful in smaller groups.
• Research indicates an increase in student achievement, test scores, attendance, college acceptance, equity and other outcomes as a result of smaller learning communities.
• Academies provide a connection between lessons learned in the classroom and the world of work.
• Teachers can provide stronger support for students in small learning communities.
• Students will learn in an environment of their interest.
• Academies promote stronger school-business-community relationships.
• Throughout the year, the Career Academies host a variety of guest speakers and field trips relevant to their career paths.  Students are notified of such opportunties through their academy teachers.

Requirements

• All academies have required academy courses and recommended electives.
• Required courses must be successfully completed to earn the academy credential.

Capstone Experience

All academy students are required to complete one of the following capstone experiences:

• Internship
• Research Project
• Senior Project
• College Course

Students are certified as academy graduates upon completion of all required academy courses and a capstone experience. Capstones are designed and developed with the student in collaboration with the Academy Lead Teacher and/or a faculty member as assigned. Students will meet with their Academy Lead Teacher and/or faculty member while working on their capstones.

Capstone experiences must be in depth, challenging and reflective of the collective learning of the student relative to the academy required courses and career focus.  Time will be provided in accordance with the student's schedule and input from Guidance. 

If a student is interested in an internship, this will be coordinated by the Academy Lead Teacher and the Internship Coordinator, Mrs. Weyman. If the student is assigned an internship, a portfolio must be created to document the internship experience.

Other capstone activities may also culminate in a portfolio, or as a research paper, event, presentation and such. Every student may request at least one (1) class period devoted to the preparation of the capstone activity.

Academy Lead Teachers will provide support to promote student success in the completion of these capstone experiences.

SVHS Career Academies / Course Pathways

• Academy of Arts & Media Studies
• Academy of Business & Finance
• Academy of Human Services
• Academy of Science
  • Project Lead the Way
• Academy of Technology
  • Academy of Information Technology (AOIT)

Career Academy Staff

If you have questions regarding Academies or specific requirements, please see either the Academies Coordinator or the specific Academy Lead Teacher.

Academies Coordinator
Mr. Jeff Baker, Room 215 & 216, 301-353-8042

Lead Teachers
(5th period, Room 215)

If you have questions regarding class offerings or changing Academies or Pathways, please make an appointment with your Guidance Counselor.

Academy Foundation Partnerships
Opportunities for professional companies and organizations.