Texas - Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, and NAF, a national non-profit organization that works to ensure high schoolers are future ready, recently celebrated the grand opening of Newman Smith High School's NAF Academy of Innovation.
The new academy will benefit over 300 Dallas and Denton County high school students this year.
Students attending the 7,000 square-foot NAF Academy of Innovation will take career-focused courses in conjunction with their general education requirements, coupled with work-based learning activities that provide practical learning experiences. NAF, Newman Smith High School and Raytheon Intelligence & Space will collaborate on curriculum to address future workforce needs in the Dallas Fort-Worth metro area.
The NAF Newman Smith academy will offer the following career technology programs: Programming and Software Development: Scholars will study Fundamentals of Computer Science, Computer Science 1, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A.
Cybersecurity: Includes Courses of Foundations of Cybersecurity, Internetworking Technologies 1 & 2, and a Cybersecurity Capstone course.
Advanced Manufacturing: Focus areas include Principles of Manufacturing, Robotics 1, and Robotics 2.
'Raytheon Technologies is proud to partner with NAF to establish Academies of Engineering in under-invested high schools across the country to ensure students are college and career ready,' said CeCe Wysong, Director of the CIO, Raytheon Intelligence & Space. 'This new academy at Newman Smith High School will give students access to a high-quality engineering and technology curriculum, as well as work-based learning and mentorships, helping develop a strong, diverse and inclusive talent pipeline.'
This investment is part of Raytheon Technologies' 10-year, $500 million Connect Up initiative to drive transformative, generational impact.
The Newman Smith Academy of Innovation joins a nationwide network of over 600 NAF academies offering 'school within a school' career-themed opportunities.
'NAF is elated to join forces with Raytheon Technologies and Raytheon Intelligence & Space to reach even more students in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, with the launch of this Academy of Innovation,' said Liz Perez, Chief Partnership Officer, NAF. 'Together, with the leadership of the educators at Newman Smith High School, we are diversifying the STEM workforce by preparing students for the cyber and tech jobs of the future with a career-focused curriculum and opportunities to truly experience the working world and envision their place in it. Congratulations to Newman Smith High School - we are wishing the academy a fantastic first school year!'
Contact:
Ryan Elliott
Email: ryan.w.elliott@raytheon.com
About NAF
NAF is a national non-profit organization that transforms the high school experience to prepare students for college, career, and future success. NAF's educational design is uniquely comprehensive in its approach to skills development, enabling students of all backgrounds to participate in a meaningful education and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America's future workforce by transforming the learning environment to integrate STEM infused, career-relevant curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.
NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework. During the 2021-22 school year, over 120,000 students attended 618 NAF academies across 35 states, plus DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. In 2021, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 87% of graduates planning to go to college.
About Raytheon Intelligence & Space
Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, delivers the disruptive technologies our customers need to succeed in any domain, against any challenge. A developer of advanced sensors, cyber services and software solutions, Raytheon Intelligence & Space provides a decisive advantage to civil, military and commercial customers around the world.
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