Last week, the Newark Board of Education announced the unveiling of its 4th high school academy, Weequahic High School Allied Health Academy.
Superintendent Leon said, “Transforming the District’s comprehensive high schools is just one strategy that gives our families and students a variety of excellent school choices.” He also said, “The District is fortunate to have business and educational partners who share our vision of setting our students on the path to success through innovative academic options.”
As previously shared by the District, each academy has three key partnerships; one of the District’s magnet schools, a professional organization, and a higher education institution. For the Weequahic High School Academy, Science Park High School is the District’s magnet school partner; RWJ Barnabas Health-Beth Israel Medical Center, the industry partner, and Rutgers School of Health Professions and Rutgers School of Nursing are the higher education partners.
The Weequahic Allied Health Academy will allow students to gain real-world skills in the delivery of healthcare services, with a major emphasis on alignment to industry standards. Students will learn how to solve medical mysteries by applying advanced concepts from anatomy, physiology, infection control, and biomedical innovation. Additionally, they will be trained to deliver quality patient care while performing medical and diagnostic processes in actual and simulated clinical environments, which also prepares them for national competitions.
Upon completion of the program, students could earn certifications as Home Health Aides, Clinical Medical Assistants, Surgical Processing Technicians, Phlebotomy Technicians, Patient Care Technician, Medical Insurance Billing Specialist, and or CPR/First Aid/EMT/Basic Life Support Technicians.
The investment to create the state-of-the-art training suite for the Allied Health Academy amounts to more than $300K, inclusive of well-trained staff, development of the curricula, equipment, and related technology.
The District plans to unveil the Central High School Environmental Studies Academy and the Malcolm X Shabazz Engineering Academy in December.
Feature image by Steven Strickland.
