A college and career academy is a personalized small learning community within the high school, involving a cohort of students and a team of teachers for a two through four year span. Academies provide real-world experiences with local businesses and professionals, linking schoolwork and the workplace.

Academy classes include both core academic courses and a sequence of career-technical courses. Academies provide students the advanced skills they need to be successful, productive citizens in college, career and life by providing engaging, hands-on, relevant learning opportunities, developing small learning communities, and connecting with local businesses, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations.