Preparing future leaders: three Cumberland County Schools Academies reach NAF Mode

By Staff Report, posted May 28, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

Three NAF Academies in Cumberland County Schools (CCS) are among a select group who have reached NAF’s model level for 2025.

The district is proud to congratulate the following programs for receiving national recognition for their commitment to delivering high quality educational experiences for high school students:

Academy of Information Technology – Gray’s Creek High School
Academy of Information Technology – Pine Forest High School
Cumberland County Schools Fire Academy – E. E. Smith High School

This prestigious achievement highlights their dedication to excellence and innovation in career and technical education:

"These academies exemplify the best of Cumberland County Schools and continue to prepare students for success in college, careers and beyond," said Chip Lucas, the executive director of CCS Career and Technical Education, in a press release. "This recognition is a testament to all those who help make our academies a success. Without our students, teachers, business and community partners, we couldn’t achieve this level of success.”

Both Academies of Information Technology and the Fire Academy are part of NAF, a national education non-profit, which provides access to opportunities for high school students and their communities, by bringing schools and businesses together to better prepare the next generation of leaders for college, career and future success.

An academy’s model level is based on how well it scores on a NAF assessment. This assessment looks at what the academy is doing well and where it can improve, based on NAF’s approach to helping students succeed in college and careers. It also helps academies track their progress and work toward meeting NAF’s standards.

"NAF is transforming the way we think about education," Lucas continued in the press release. "Inside the classroom, students benefit from personalized learning environments and career-focused curricula that go beyond what traditional high schools typically offer. Outside the classroom, they gain future-ready skills and industry-specific experiences that prepare them for success in any pathway they choose."

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