NAF

05/27/2026

Students from our NAF Academy of Engineering at Escuela Elvira M. Colón Negrón in Santa Isabel took FIRST PLACE at the Toyota STEM Laboratory competition, designing and building a remote-controlled, eco-friendly scale vehicle from the ground up in just three months.

"Seeing that our three months of work paid off surprised us a lot." — Iann R., 10th grade

Congratulations to these students and to their teacher Davidson Marcano González for guiding them every step of the way.

05/23/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 NAF Advisory Board Champion Award winner, Beatriz Ramos who serves on the advisory board at Escuela Superior Benito Cerezo Vázquez, Aguadilla; Puerto Rico! 🎉

This award recognizes an advisory board member who goes above and beyond to create impactful opportunities for students, strengthen community connections, and expand work-based learning experiences—Beatriz has made a lasting impact through her dedication to student success.

Celebrate Beatriz with us at the 2026 celebration dinner on July 8: https://go.naf.org/3XSHxKe

05/22/2026

We're thrilled to announce the winners of the 2026 NAF Alumni Awards! These awards recognize NAF alumni who have excelled in college or their career or have demonstrated an entrepreneurial spirit influenced by their academy experience. 🎉Join us in congratulating this year’s winners:

Michael Durant
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Academy of Finance Alumnus
Class of 2007

Yanesi Gonzalez
Hialeah Gardens High School
Law & Public Service Academy Alumna
Class of 2023

Mahbuba Sumiya
Crockett Midtown High School of Science and Medicine
Academy of Health Sciences Alumna
Class of 2021

We’ll be honoring these incredible alums at the 2026 Celebration Dinner on July 8. Learn more: naf.org/nafnext

Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Detroit Public Schools Community District

05/21/2026

We're excited to introduce the winners of the 2026 Janet Linton Leadership Awards in memory of the late San Diego Academy Director, Janet Linton. This awards honors outstanding leaders who advance the NAF design and ensure that all students are prepared for college, career, and future success. 🎉Congratulations to this year’s winners:

Don Festge
Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Lead Teacher
Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School
Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Angela Smith
Program Specialist, Career Academies
Birmingham City Schools

Michaelknight Zayas
Academy of Health Sciences Lead
New Britain High School
Consolidated School District of New Britain

Join us in celebrating these exceptional NAF Educators at the 2026 celebration dinner on July 8. Learn more: naf.org/nafnext.

05/20/2026

🚑 Nursing school, healthcare shifts, and making a difference every day? This is what career-ready looks like 💚

Follow NAF alum Brianna from the Academy of Health Sciences at Burbank High School through a day in her life as a Health Services Assistant and nursing student. From caring for K–12 students to balancing school and work, Brianna is turning her passion for healthcare into a meaningful future. 🩺✨

05/19/2026

Healthcare and social assistance are projected to be the fastest-growing industry sector through 2034, creating major opportunities for the next generation of professionals. 🩺

While doctors and nurses are often the first careers students think of, the healthcare field offers many more pathways. From physician assistants to medical managers, students can explore a wide range of meaningful, high-demand careers.

Learn more about the careers shaping the future of healthcare and how NAF Academies of Health Sciences help students explore pathways and build career-ready skills: https://go.naf.org/4uqOM9O

When most people think about healthcare or health sciences careers, it nearly goes without saying that doctors and nurses are the first to spring to mind. But the health sciences ecosystem is much wider than most students realize — and it’s growing in all directions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Sta...

05/19/2026

05/18/2026

Only 2% of high school students complete an internship each year.

KnoPro [powered by NAF], exists for the other 98%.

Through Challenges, students work on real problems that real companies are actively trying to solve. They research, prototype, and pitch to industry executives who are genuinely evaluating their ideas.

Sponsoring companies like KPMG US define the challenge topics, judge the submissions, and engage with students. As KPMG's Bobby Soni put it: senior leaders acting as judges show students that "their innovation matters at the highest levels."

Right now, students nationwide are competing in the "Your Future Job, Powered by AI" Challenge, sponsored by KPMG, open through May 25th.

This is what it looks like when companies stop advertising to the next generation and start investing in them. Read more in the comments.

05/18/2026

Inspired by her family. Prepared for her future through NAF ✨

Catherine’s interest in healthcare was shaped by her father, a first responder. Visiting her great-grandmother in a nursing home further strengthened her interest in healthcare, leading her to join Porterville's Academy of Health Science (PAHS) in eighth grade.

Through rigorous coursework such as anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology, she gained early exposure to college-level material that would later give her confidence as she transitioned to higher education. “It really laid the foundation,” she shared. “College goes more in depth, but having that base made a big difference.”



Porterville Unified School District
Porterville Pathways

05/15/2026

After graduating from the NAF Academy of Health Sciences at Porterville High School Catherine attended the University of California, San Diego, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. She recently achieved a major milestone—acceptance into Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Arizona and was selected for the highly competitive Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) through the United States Air Force. This prestigious scholarship will fully cover her dental school education in exchange for four years of service as an active-duty dentist after graduation.

Reflecting on her journey, Catherine encourages students to take advantage of opportunities, even if they are unsure of their path.

Porterville Unified School District