The Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies promote Healthy Lifestyles and Wellness in schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The academies offer an innovative, sequential, and integrated learning environment designed to provide students with an academic foundation in medical health sciences including medical research and the study of diseases and disorders such as childhood obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. The curriculum includes structure and function of the human body, occupational hazards, educational requirements, and information concerning the practices for promoting good health, and prevention of disease. It provides all students with a practical skill-based curriculum which teaches the medical skills and training necessary to become certified as a healthcare provider prior to high school graduation. Students may continue to post-secondary health science education, and/or transition into the healthcare workforce. With the demand and shortage in health care, students will have endless opportunities and high paying jobs in the medical field as they continue to pursue a professional degree.

The first Biomedical and Veterinary Technology Academy at Acreage Pines Elementary was opened in August of 2013 to spark an interest in young minds and prepare them to transition into middle school programs. Due to the high demand and critical shortage areas in healthcare, the Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies in Palm Beach County depend on the community and the healthcare workforce to be able to grow future healthcare providers. Good Samaritan Medical Center adopted this exploratory program for students in grades K-5 with a high interest in medical and veterinary sciences. Special topics include health and wellness, basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, prevention of disease, medical illustration, animal therapy, and robotic applications in healthcare and veterinary sciences. Good Samaritan Medical Center’s excellent partnership provided guest speakers, field trips to the hospital, medical equipment, supplies, and curriculum support for essential skills labs.

In addition, Allamanda Elementary opened the first Health and Wellness Academy in August of 2013 focusing on embracing the education of the whole child; growing and learning with a sound mind and healthy body. Clubs and after care activities focus on a healthy life style including: running, walking, dancing, flag football, gardening, and healthy cooking. This program also transitions into middle school programs and helps each child develop life-long habits of health and fitness through exercise and diet.

The Biomedical and Medical Sciences Academies in middle school follow an honors curriculum preparing students to be highly competitive in the medical field. Students take high school credit honor courses including Medical Skills & Services and Algebra 1. Students become certified in First Aid and CPR, in addition to completing a supervised medical internship. Biomedical and Medical Academy students in high school also follow an honors curriculum and may select their program of study leading to industry certifications and complete programs in the following pathways:

Students graduate from the Medical Academies Career and College Ready and as a certified and/or licensed health care provider. Students may achieve multiple certifications allowing them to get an immediate job in the medical field.

The Culinary Arts middle school and high school academies provide the opportunity for students to train for a variety of careers within the Hospitality and Tourism Cluster. Utilizing both academic and technical studies, students develop higher level knowledge and skill building proficiency by emphasizing safety and sanitation, workplace safety, nutrition, food production, and cost control.

Many of the middle school pre-academies and high school culinary arts academies believe in the “Garden to Table” concept, growing vegetables and herbs in school site gardens, allowing students to develop healthy menu collaboration, nutritional awareness in food preparation and personal wellness plans.

Students also have the opportunity to earn several industry certifications, such as ServSafe Food Manager’s Exam and the National Prostart Certificate of Achievement.

The Pre-Teacher Academies introduce basic concepts of child growth, development and care, nutrition and wellness to the middle school students. Babysitting, first aid and CPR for infants and children are covered and many students earn certifications in these areas.

The Teacher and Early Childhood Education Teacher Academies at the high school level expand on these concepts, and train for a variety of careers in the Education and Training Career Cluster. Students complete course work and lab hours in neighboring childcare facilities, local elementary schools and the onsite preschools available at eight of the high school programs, earning an Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC), which is a Staff Credential with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

Many students within this program continue on, becoming child psychologists, social workers, pediatricians, speech pathologists, and often return to the District as teachers. We do indeed “Grow Our Own!”