Academies are sub-groups within schools, organized around particular themes. For example, career academies combine key principles of the school-to-career movement—integrating academic and vocational instruction, providing work-based learning opportunities for students, and preparing students for post-secondary education and employment—with the personalized learning environment of a small, focused learning community. Teachers and students integrate academic and occupation-related classes as a way to enhance real-world relevance and maintain high academic standards. Local employer partnerships provide program planning guidance, mentors, and work internships. Career academies share with other restructuring initiatives an emphasis on building relationships between students and adults (teachers as well as work-site supervisors and other employer representatives).

Southridge High School's Web site provides a detailed description of their career academy program.
http://www.beavton.k12.or.us/southridge/careeracademics.htm

The following two pages from the Southridge Academic Program Planning Guide, 2002-2003 provide detailed information regarding the purpose, benefit, and procedure for contracting for a career academy endorsement.
Academic Program Guide Excerpt (PDF)

Montclair High School's interdisciplinary SLCs each have a different focus area organized around a specific theme.
http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sslc/descriptions/montclair/page3.asp

Some of Arlington High School's SLCs are organized into thematic academies that provide curriculum specialties for students in grades 11 and 12.
http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sslc/descriptions/arlington/page3.asp