Small Learning Communities are schools within a larger school setting. Students are grouped together based similar or themed academic areas. Students take core courses with the same group of teachers during their high school experience. The curriculum provides opportunities to connect learning in school with context from the real world.

Research has demonstrated that large overcrowded middle and high schools just don't work! Studies have indicated that a growing economy demands workers who can read, write, compute, solve problems, and communicate clearly. SLCs programs provide successful learning environments in large middle and high schools to help insure that all students graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to college and careers.

The Electrical Academy, created in 1969, in Philadelphia was the first career academy. In 1981 California, using the same model, opened the Peninsula Academies in the Sequoia Union High School District. California state legislatures passed legislation with funding and implemented the California Partnership Academies.

Career Academy Research Links

The What Works Clearinghouse was established in 2002 by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences to provide educators, policymakers, researchers, and the public with a central and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education.

The Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability, an office of the Florida Legislature is based on evaluation of career academies in Florida.