Marketing Academy

History

The concept of an Academy was first presented to Fresno High School in the Fall of 1989 when the Business Department was given a grant application to become one of the California Partnership Academies. While the first application submitted was not awarded a grant, Fresno Unified School District was convinced that the model stipulated by the grant was a sound one. With the district's support, the Marketing Academy at Fresno High School began as an un-funded Academy during the 90-91 school year. A second grant application was submitted during the Fall of 1990 and the Marketing Academy was selected as an "official" Academy by the State Department of Education. Implementation of the grant is designed to improve students' motivation and performance by creating a new kind of high school experience for them. This new experience includes a school-within-a-school design, industry partnerships, and integrated curriculum.

While the grant has enabled the Marketing Academy to provide students with "extras" that most students don't have, it is possible to implement Academy concepts in various degrees. Team teaching and the sharing of students can still occur with careful planning. Integrating curriculum can begin with teachers who share common philosophies and are willing to find out where commonalities already exist. Teaming and "theme-ing" across the curriculum are the beginnings of changes which are beneficial for student success.

By: Shelby P. - Multimedia Class