NAF, RTX, and CUSD Celebrate Grand Opening of 3 NAF Academies
Media Release
With a $500,000 investment, NAF and RTX expand their partnership with CUSD to prepare the next generation of engineers in Southern California
NAF, a national education nonprofit that transforms the high school experience, and RTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, in collaboration with CUSD, announced the opening of three new NAF Academies of Engineering with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at Centennial High School. At the three NAF Academies located at Centennial High School, Compton High School, and Dominguez High School, nearly 200 students will participate in career-focused curricula in computer science, aerospace, and general engineering during the 2023-2024 school year.
“This partnership between RTX, NAF and Compton Unified School District (CUSD) will impact students for generations,” said NAF CEO, Lisa Dughi. “When school districts and employers work together to bring real-world opportunities to students of all backgrounds and capabilities, the results can truly be transformative. For over forty-plus years, we've helped to forge connections between school districts and local businesses, and acted as a catalyst to create curriculum and experiences that enable students to identify future jobs within their communities, map the plan for success by mastering skills they need to reach those careers, and develop a network with professionals.”
NAF CEO Lisa Dughi
CUSD Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley explained this partnership is an investment in the students. “Together we're forging a path for our students’ success for 21st century learning, and a multitude of opportunities in engineering and STEM professions,” he said. “The NAF Engineering Academies at Centennial, Compton, and Dominguez are more than a program, they are a gateway to a world of possibilities.”
CUSD Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley
There will be a tremendous demand for new engineers in America over the next few years. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 90,000 new engineering jobs will be needed by 2031, with a focus on infrastructure development, renewable energy, and robotics.
Annabel Flores, RTX Deputy President of Land and Air Defense Systems
Annabel Flores, RTX Deputy President of Land and Air Defense Systems, discussed the need for these skills in the workforce. “We have 185,000 employees across the world and 60,000 of those are engineers,” she said. “They are solving some of the world's toughest problems. We are looking for that future workforce who are going to help solve the problems of tomorrow because they're going to be harder, they're going to be different, and we're going to need engineers and scientists with diverse backgrounds and experiences to help us solve them.”
CUSD Board Member Micah Ali
“This partnership with NAF and RTX will enable our Compton Unified School District students to focus on engineering and science as a conduit for job in the aerospace community,” added CUSD Board Member Micah Ali. “If they get a job in this industry, they’ll be doing more than just making money, they’ll actually impacting our national security.”
CUSD Board Member Satra Zurita
“Compton Unified had a 90% graduation rate,” noted CUSD Board Member Satra Zurita. “Partnerships like this help will build on our graduation rates and enhance the lives of our students and their families.”
CUSD Board Member Charles Davis
“Math and science will take young people a long way, so our students need to take advantage of what these people are going to offer them and do great things,” added CUSD Board Member Charles Davis.
NAF Academy students from Centennial, Compton, and Dominguez High Schools.
Additionally, this private-public partnership between RTX, NAF, and CUSD, helps address barriers faced by students who have been historically overlooked and under-invested in, by providing high-quality STEM curriculum that is relevant to the local job market; work-based learning and internships; and mentorship opportunities from industry professionals like engineers from the El Segundo-based RTX facility. The NAF Academies also have plans to offer students Industry-based certifications prior to graduation.
The NAF Academy classroom at Centennial High School.
“Because of the support from NAF and RTX, our students will have access to opportunities they need to build a life of upward economic mobility and success,” said Centennial High School Principal Dr. Bobby Walker. “Today marks the beginning of an impactful journey for hundreds of high school students in our district. In the next four years, these students will develop new skills, make professional contacts, and be immersed in hands-on learning that will help them create a plan for their future and shape their career aspirations.”
Compton High School students watch the ceremony.
CUSD students know they have a unique opportunity ahead of them. “I am proud to be one of the first students in the NAF Academy of Engineering,” said Centennial High School ninth grader Ja’mya Johnson. “It will help me to discover more about myself and my future. I look forward to learning more about career opportunities, about teamwork, and collaboration and becoming more confident as I go through my high school experience. Even more, I am excited about the speakers who will come to my class, the different companies I may have a chance to visit, and the mentors I will find and already have set my sights on meeting.”
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 2022-23 school year, over 112,000 students attended over 600 NAF academies across 35 states and territories. In 2022, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 88% of graduates planning to go to college. www.naf.org
About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.