April 8, 2024, Sanford, NC– Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Lee County High School have been awarded NAF’s Katherine Blasik Distinguished level recognition for 2024 – NAF’s highest level of achievement. This includes academies that have reached this level more than once and new academies joining the roster for the first time.
This designation is given to a select few who have reached Model level on NAF’s annual assessment, exhibiting strong fidelity to a design that prepares students for success in college and careers. Model level is determined by an academy’s score on the assessment, which measures strengths and challenges in implementing NAF’s results driven design. A subset of these high performing academies meets additional thresholds and participates in a virtual academy visit to reach Katherine Blasik Distinguished level.
The assessment is designed to help all academies assess their progress and move up on the continuum of NAF’s standards.
In the classroom, NAF transforms how we think about education—going beyond what traditional high schools offer with personalized learning environments and career-focused curricula. Outside the classroom, students are equipped with the future-ready skills and industry-specific learnings to be successful in any pathway they choose.
NAF Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Dughi, said, “Congratulations to all our Katherine Blasik Distinguished and NAF Model academies and another round of applause for our academies joining the ranks for the first time! You should be extremely proud of all your impactful efforts and important contributions to ensuring student success. NAF thanks you and we know that the entire network will also take inspiration from your shining examples.”
“This recognition is a testament to all those who help make our academy a success,” said Kristy Estok, Academy Director. “Without our students, teachers, business and community partners, we couldn’t achieve this level of success.”
Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) at LCHS
AOHT is are part of NAF, a national education non-profit, which supports high school students’ efforts to be future ready.
About NAF:
NAF is a national education non-profit that brings schools and businesses together to better prepare students of all backgrounds. Since 1980, NAF has led a movement for immersive, career-focused teaching and work-based learning. With the support of NAF community-based advisory boards, schools connect with the workforce to fuel shared progress—from creating culturally responsive curriculum and paid internship opportunities, to fostering innovation and building future-ready businesses. NAF helps students explore career options, create a plan for the future, and take part in hands-on, work-based learning unlike anything traditional public education systems can offer. NAF puts students on a path to achieving their full potential.
NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework. During the 2023-24 school year, over 113,000 students attended over 600 NAF academies across 34 states and territories. In 2023, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 89% of graduates planning to go to college. Learn more at naf.org and follow us on social @NAFCareerAcads.
*Press release provided by NAF- National Academy Foundation
Contact: Kristy Estok
Kestok.ls@lee.k12.nc.us