1. West Forsyth Academy of Finance

2. The Finance Academy at West Forsyth
3 year academic program
Augments standard curricula
1 or 2 specialized courses each semester
Financial Literacy Certification
W!se, Everfi
Advanced level courses in the senior year
Opportunity for NAF TRACK Certification
Summer internships (for credit, maybe pay)
Job shadowing, speakers, and field trips
Use this slide to: highlight features of the AOF program and how these features would be implemented locally. (CUSTOMIZE to include your local program features)
2-4 year academic program
Augments standard curricula
Students take 1 or 2 specialized courses each semester
Students have the opportunity to take college-level courses in their senior year
The 6-8 week paid internship provides students with context-based learning, therefore connecting the classroom to the workplace
Students have other opportunities for experience-based learning though job shadowing, mentoring and field trips

3. How Do Academy Students Benefit?
Builds motivation, confidence, sense of personal worth
Leads students from all backgrounds to success
Allows students a community with the larger school of peers and teachers
Provides a framework of study that meshes with a variety of academic pursuits
Connects students to adult role models and mentors
Use this slide to: explain the benefits for Academy students.
The Academy provides a context for learning and so connects the classroom with the outside world. Because of this:
Students are motivated, and successful, and that success builds confidence and a sense of personal worth
NAF levels the playing field, giving students from all backgrounds the opportunity to benefit from exposure and connections they might otherwise be without
Contextual learning helps students understand complex concepts through “real-world” applications, and therefore is an especially powerful (and empowering) tool for those who aren’t reaching their full potential
Students are supported in their small learning communities, and connected to adults who are invested in their development and success

4. What the statistics say……
90% of NAF students graduate from high school
80% go on to college
Over 50% earn a bachelors in 4 years
85% of 5 year and 10 year alums are working as professionals
Career academy graduates earn about 10% more than non academy graduates in first years out of college

5. Activities Field Trips: Truliant Federal Credit Union
Whole Foods Market
Career in Sports Day – Spectrum Arena
Grass America
College Tours
Job Shadowing
Speakers
Problem Based Learning
Mentoring and Mock Interviews
Field trip to New York City (Optional)
Advanced classes (Forsyth Tech 12th grade year)

6. Answers to common questions
The Finance Academy is a program for college bound students interested in business. 
Students take some basic business classes in addition to their college prep coursework during their 10th, 11th and 12th grade years. 
Students find and participate in their own internship (approval required) with assistance from faculty and an Advisory Board

7. NAF Track Certification
Pre-interview and resume support
Guaranteed interviews in equally qualified applicant pools
Potentially expedited advancement in the hiring process
Priority hiring among equally qualified applicant pools
Potential for higher starting salaries
Applicant feedback and coaching post interview
College internship opportunities
Support to ensure more NAFTrack Certified Graduates attend the postsecondary

8. NAF Track Certification (after COLLEGE graduation)
Four years of theme-based, industry-vetted curricula
Applied Finance, and Principles of Accounting, PLUS
Either
Any TWO from Forsyth Tech
INT 110 International Business
BUS 115 Business Law
BUS 137 Principles of Management
BAF 143 Financial Planning

9. Student qualifications
Interest in business/professional world
Application Process:
Grades and behavior
Recommendation from teacher
Interview
Willingness to commit for 3 years

10. Academy of Finance