Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has emerged as the national leader in distinguished career academies, earning a total of 60 Distinguished designations and three Model academies from NAF, the national network focused on college and career readiness.
The district reached the milestone after nine additional academies received Distinguished status for 2026, further strengthening Miami-Dade’s position as a national leader in career-focused education. With roughly 75% of its NAF academies now designated Distinguished, M-DCPS holds the highest proportion among large school districts nationwide — defined as those with 15 or more academies.
District officials say the recognition reflects continued investment in career and technical education designed to prepare students for real-world opportunities.
NAF academies integrate rigorous, industry-aligned curriculum with hands-on learning experiences such as internships, mentorships, and employer engagement. The programs are embedded within the regular school day, allowing students to develop transferable skills, explore career interests, and connect classroom learning to future professions.
New 2026 Distinguished Academies
The nine newly designated Distinguished academies include:
- American Senior High School — Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
- Booker T. Washington Senior High School — Academy of Engineering
- Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School — Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
- Miami Killian Senior High School — Academy of Business Management & Analysis
- Miami Lakes Educational Center — Academy of Finance
- Miami Northwestern Senior High School — Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
- South Dade Senior High School — Academy of Finance
- Southwest Miami Senior High School — Academy of Health Sciences
- William H. Turner Technical High School — Academy of Information Technology
Model Academies Recognized
Three academies earned the prestigious Model designation, which represents the highest level of achievement in the NAF network:
- Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School — Academy of Information Technology
- Miami Sunset Senior High School — Academy of Information and Media Technology
- South Dade Senior High School — Academy of Information Technology
Broad District Recognition
Dozens of schools across the district earned Distinguished honors across multiple career tracks, including:
- Finance
- Engineering
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Health Sciences
- Information Technology
- Education
- Agriculture
- Legal and Public Affairs
- Culinary Arts
- Arts and Entertainment
Schools receiving multiple Distinguished designations include Hialeah Gardens Senior High School, Coral Reef Senior High School, Miami Lakes Educational Center, Miami Sunset Senior High School, and North Miami Senior High School, among others.
Education leaders say the continued growth of NAF academies reflects a broader commitment to preparing students for both college and careers in high-demand industries.
With 60 Distinguished academies and three Model programs, Miami-Dade County Public Schools now leads the nation in NAF excellence — a milestone that underscores the district’s expanding role in shaping workforce-ready graduates.
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