GILCHRIST COUNTY SCHOOLS ACADEMIES

In case you are not familiar with the academy concept, here is a brief explanation. In an Academy, all courses that are taught center around one major career cluster, with all classes being taught in such a way as to show their relationship to each other, as well as to the career field they represent. For example, as the students learn about correct grammar, spelling, and writing skills they are also learning about their chosen career interest area. A typical assignment might be to write an essay which will be graded for it's writing competency, but the assigned topic will be a medical one. Academy teachers can not simply write out their own lesson plans. They must plan as a team in order to make the academy worth implementing. This of course takes a lot of time and patience, but is rewarded with student enthusiasm.

Although there is presently only one academy at Gilchrist County Schools, that is soon to change. Planning is under way to institute an Academy of Business & Computer Science in Gilchrist County. While this may seem to take a long time to implement, an academy that is not carefully planned out is destined for failure. Presently the planning team has been assembled and is well under way to having many focus components of the academy done. The team assembled includes business representatives:

  • Gerald Cullen MBA, Technology Education Consultants
  • Becky Oder, Capital City Bank
  • Kim Oliver, US Cellular
  • Buddy Vickers, Bill Stanley Insurance
  • David Branson, Florida Power
  • Keyton Benson, Tower Hill Insurance Group
  • Jackie Johnson, Lancaster Correctional
  • Linda Oliver, Lake City Community College



    Gerald Cullen of Technology Education Consultants and David Branson of Florida Power discuss expectations of the Business Academy

    All of these business partners have given of their time and resources to make the academy a reality. When we combine their business sense with educators who are willing to try new concepts, we come up with a combination that is great for the students. Look for this academy next year. There are plans for other academies to in Gilchrist County Schools, but these are very early on in the planning process. We'll keep you posted as new developments arise.


    The educators involved in the business academy: Linda Oliver-LCCC, Ronda Parrish-THS, Johnnie Cook-THS, Harriet Bachle-BHS, Sandra Jones-TMS

    ACADEMY OF HEALTH RELATED PROFESSIONS


    The academy already functioning in Gilchrist County is the Academy of Health Related Professions at Bell High School. This is one of only nine Health Academies state wide. Student excitement for the program is obvious. While less than 80 students were enrolled in the 96-97 school year, over 120 have entered the academy this year. Most claim their interest in the program was sparked by a freind who is in the academy, so obviously the students have given the program their stamp of approval.


    Students practice giving emergency care in the First Responder course


    On the way to a clinical. Many students will be certified nurses
    aides before they graduate and well on the way to a health career



    The students soon learn that there are many medical related careers
    besides Doctor or Nurse. Here Fire rescue personnel demonstrate their job.



    Nurse and Academy instructor Kim Jordan with this year's HOSA convention contestants.


    FIRST HEALTH ACADEMY CLASS GRADUATES

    The Academy of Health Related Professions at Bell High is one of only nine funded through Department of Education state funds. This is the first year of full academy implementation, and the results are impressive. In fact, the academy at Bell is being used as a model for health academies in rural areas.

    May 31, 1997 was graduation day for many of the first year participants. All 12 of the graduating class were awarded CNA certification. This represents a 100% success rate for students completing the program, with all who attempted the state exam receiving certification. All 12 are going on to medical professions and seven already have jobs as CNA’s, a certification they received at Bell High. Many of these students were honored at an Academy of Health Related Professions banquet May 17th. The event was the first ever and was held at Spring Ridge Church between High Springs and Bell. Over 200 students and families were in attendance. Representatives from AHEC, HOSA, Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center, and Tri County Nursing Center were on hand along with Gilchrist County school board members.

    The program has been so successful that it has been visited by Duval, Volusia, Dixie, Union and Polk counties to observe how it functions. With the success of the Academy of Health Related Professions as a recommendation, Gilchrist County Schools are moving ahead with plans to establish a business academy for the 1998-99 school year at Trenton High School.

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