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'Academies' can provide career head startBy SHEILA MULLANE ESTRADA © St. Petersburg Times, published October 29, 2000 Special school-within-school programs are available for high school students interested in particular career fields. "Career academies" offer students both high academic and career-specific skills essential for immediate job entry, advanced education, or technical training. The Graphic Arts Academy at Dixie Hollins High School features graphic arts and commercial arts. Academy graduates are prepared to immediately enter the work force on graduation or pursue a post-secondary education. The Transportation Academy at Northeast High School prepares students for careers in the automotive industry. The program features an integrated automotive technology and automotive body repair curriculum. Career paths include auto mechanics, engineering or design, as well as automotive sales, dealership management and insurance adjusting. The Architectural Design and Construction Academy at Dunedin High School offers training in architectural design, electrical systems and construction industry careers. Students participate in apprenticeship programs leading to jobs as architects, carpenters, electrical systems analysts, electricians, estimators, general or mechanical contractors, home designers and project managers. The Agriscience Academy at Tarpon Springs High School prepares students for careers in veterinary technology, horticulture science and environmental technology. Graduates are trained to immediately enter the work force or continue their education. Career paths include environmental compliance, parks and forestry, horticulture and veterinary medicine. Other public high school opportunitiesThe Program for International Culture and Commerce (PICC) is a "themed program" at Clearwater High School open to all ninth-graders interested in working in the international business community. The program includes specialized courses emphasizing international studies and multicultural diversity. The teaching staff includes university professors and business leaders. Class sizes are small, and students have opportunities for foreign travel through international exchange programs. PICC enrollment is limited to 130 students. Students who are not zoned to Clearwater High School must receive a special attendance permit (SAP) to get in the program and must provide their own transportation to school. Students with special medical or other needs that cannot be met at a regular school or who have a hardship can apply for special attendance permits to any zoned school (but not to magnet or academy programs). SAP applications for the coming school year normally must be submitted between March and the student's last day of school. Individual medical or hardship cases are considered throughout the year. Most permits are approved if space is available and the transfer does not upset the school's racial balance. Last year 7,312 permits were approved out of 9,586 applications. Students at risk of dropping out of high school can apply for transfer into the Graduation Options: Alternative to Leaving School (GOALS) program offered at all high schools. In addition, the two Pinellas Technical Education Centers and the Seminole Vocational Education Center offer the TEAM (Technical Education Academic Model) program for dropout-prone students. Students who are parents can attend the Teenage Parenting Program (TIPS) offered at several high schools and several off-campus sites. Parents should contact their zoned school administrator for information and a referral to these programs. Alternative high school programs are offered for students housed in residential delinquency, substance abuse and dependency facilities. In addition, a number of community agencies coordinate dropout-prevention programs with the school district. Norwood Secondary School is a dropout-prevention program for at-risk high school students who have continually violated school rules.
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