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Health Sciences is third Academy to Receive Distinguished Designation.
“New Bedford High School Academy of Health Sciences, affiliated with the National Academy Foundation (NAF), has been officially designated as a distinguished national high school program. Announced in July at the NAF national conference in Phoenix, Arizona, the designation is the highest level of achievement for a NAF Academy.
The Health Sciences Academy, one of several programs part of New Bedford High School Career Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) offerings, joins Finance and Information Technology as the third NBHS NAF academy now recognized as distinguished. The designation was determined based in part on a site visit to NBHS to assess program quality by NAF officials. Their evaluation included interviews with school stakeholders, documentation review, class observations and discussions with a cross section of teachers, students, health sciences industry advisory committee members and school administrators.
Interim Superintendent Andrew O’ Leary stated, “Studies show that Massachusetts offers less exposure to career technical education than other states. CVTE programs embedded in comprehensive high schools are the solution this disparity. The New Bedford & National Academy Foundation partnership is a pathway to prosperity for students and a model for other districts to follow.”
“We are honored to have been awarded a third distinguished academy designation, this latest for our Health Sciences program,” said Principal Bernadette Coelho. “I want to thank the National Academy Foundation for its continued confidence in our school and Academies and for recognizing the amazing work of our students, staff and advisory committee members.”
“This third distinguished academy award shows that career tech education is a hallmark program at NBHS,” said Christopher Cummings, Manager of Career Vocational Technical Education. Noting that NBHS had earned two additional NAF distinguished awards, the CVTE program has also celebrated successes at Skills USA, and won a $500,000 grant award from the Massachusetts Skills Cabinet to construct a simulated patient lab. “CVTE is thriving here at NBHS, and we look forward to sustaining these accomplishments as we continue our vibrant growth.”
One of the criteria in determination of a distinguished NAF program is an active advisory committee comprised of industry representatives and post-secondary faculty. The committee is comprised of members representing a broad range of health care employers and post-secondary partners, notably Southcoast Health, UMass Dartmouth School of Nursing, and Greater New Bedford Community Health Care. They shared with NAF officials how they engage with NBHS staff and students, providing curriculum guidance and internship opportunities.
“We are fortunate to have highly engaged advisory committee partners to support our Health Science Academy,” said Cummings. “Their active participation and support were key in our receiving this most prestigious recognition, and is an essential component of building program capacity,” he added.
NBHS Health Sciences Academy is affiliated with the National Academy Foundation, part of the school’s offerings of CVTE programming. In addition to Health Sciences, NBHS offers career pathway programs in Hospitality, Finance, Information Technology, Engineering, Early Childhood Education, as well as two Chapter 74 vocational programs in Business Technology and Radio and Television Broadcasting.
For more information about Career and Technical Education at New Bedford High School, please contact Christopher Cummings, Manager of CVTE at 508 997 4511, ext. 20799.”
