Milwaukee City Wire

MPS announces NAFTrack certifications and school awards for 2024

MPS is celebrating more than 180 students who have earned national NAFTrack Certification! Students were honored at an event in April at UWM to recognize their hard work and commitment. Along with students, four schools were recognized this year by the NAF program for earning Distinguished levels, three of these for the first time. Through the NAF program, students select an academy offered at their school and take part in a pathway that allows students to gain hands-on, in-depth experience. Career areas vary by school and include audio/video technology, education, engineering, finance, health sciences, hospitality & tourism, or information technology. To earn certification, students must complete four courses in a specified career track and take part in 80 hours or more of work-based learning, such as an internship or apprenticeship.

NAF is currently available at only eight schools across Wisconsin, all of which are in Milwaukee Public Schools— Audubon, Bay View, James Madison, Milwaukee Marshall, North Division, South Division, Ronald Reagan, and Washington high schools. Through an evaluation and site visit by NAF official, schools are eligible to earn Model recognition or the higher-level Distinguished recognition. This year, only 210 academies across the country achieved Distinguished level, with six of those in MPS. The 2023–24 school academies awarded are:

- Bay View High School

Distinguished Academy, Engineering

Distinguished Academy, Hospitality and Tourism

- James Madison Academic Campus

Distinguished Academy, Health Sciences

- Reagan High School

Distinguished Academy, Health Sciences

Distinguished Academy, Information Technology

- South Division High School

Distinguished Academy, Health Sciences

The NAF program has expanded in recent years, with 2024 showing the largest group of students to date—a total of 180 students—to earn certification, compared to 100 students last year. Students generally begin taking NAF courses in their sophomore year. Interested students should talk to their school counselor for more information or ask for the NAF director at one of the eight schools offering the program.

Many thanks to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee and staff for their work on this event for our students and to the M-Cubed partnership for support with work-based learning.