The Architecture, Construction, Mechatronics, and Engineering (ACME) Academy at Warren Central High School has earned national distinction as a model career academy. This is the highest designation awarded by the National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) and the first wall-to-wall academy in the State of Mississippi to earn NCAC model status.

In addition to being a prestigious honor, NCAC model status certifies that a specific career academy demonstrates excellence according to NCAC’s National Standards of Practice (NSOPs), school officials said. Warren Central High School’s ACME model review emphasized its success in academy design, implementation, and refinement as well as the participation and support of district and community stakeholders. Reviewers also underscored academy alignment with workforce needs of the community, the impact academies have had on student success, and Warren Central High School’s ACME academy teachers and their devotion to their students.

Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD) officials said they are dedicated to preparing students for both college and careers after graduation, adding Vicksburg Warren College and Career Academies (VWCCA) has a long-standing commitment to community and economic success. VWCCA’s continuum of experiences, which includes partnerships with businesses in the community, postsecondary institutions, and state organizations, further prepares students by facilitating industry visits, teacher externships, paid internships, and opportunities to earn nationally recognized industry-relevant certifications, VWSD said.

“The Academy model has been incredibly beneficial to our students in the ACME academy,” ACME Academy Principal Crystal Hood said. “We have students who did not always excel academically, and it has been a joy to watch those students flourish under the Academy model. Prior to implementation, these were students who were at risk of failing or dropping out completely. Now these kids come to school every day because they have the opportunity to participate in classes that are relevant to their future career aspirations. The model has given our students an advantage to excel not only in core academics but also in career and technical education courses that allow them to go straight into the workforce.”

Warren Central High School’s ACME Academy will be honored during the NCAC national conference in Chicago later this year.

To learn more about NCAC, visit ncacinc.org.