ACIT’s learning environment is rooted in the National Academy Foundation model, which blends academics with career-focused, hands-on learning. Students benefit from involved instructors, honors, dual enrollment, and AP coursework, and clear paths to certification, college credit, or job placement upon graduation, all of which are precursors to their 98% graduation rate, one of the highest in the region. Programs are co-designed with professionals from Stockton University, Atlantic Cape Community College, and other institutions to ensure students receive instruction aligned to both industry demands and career readiness standards set by the New Jersey Department of Education.

From Vision to Reality: A Pathway-Centered Transformation

Just over a decade ago, ACIT transitioned from a shared-time county vocational model to a full-time comprehensive high school, available to students throughout Atlantic County. This pivotal shift doubled the student population and ushered in a new era of pathways programming. The change was rooted in a desire to align education with the rapidly evolving workforce needs of the Atlantic County region, including sectors like aviation, health sciences, welding, and advanced manufacturing, while ensuring that students from nearby under-resourced communities, including Atlantic City, had access to opportunities that translated into long-term success.
Beyond the classroom, ACIT students are immersed in enriching out-of-school experiences, including field trips, job shadowing, paid internships, and structured learning opportunities. Hands-on exposure is a hallmark of every program, supported by advisory boards composed of industry leaders and postsecondary partners. Whether students are earning industry credentials or engaging in community-connected student organizations such as HOSA, a group with a two-fold mission to promote career opportunities in the healthcare industry and to enhance the delivery of quality health care to all people, students are actively building both technical and human-centered skills for the future

Pillar 1: College and Career Advising and Navigation: Pathways, Purpose, and Personalized Planning

At ACIT, college and career advising isn’t an isolated service; it’s integrated into every learner’s experience. Several years ago, the school shifted counselor caseloads to align with each program of study. This strategic move created deeper relationships between counselors, students, and industry-specific expectations. Counselors now work hand-in-hand with pathway teachers, families, and employers to track students’ progress toward industry credentials and postsecondary success.

Looking into the future, ACIT is looking to partner with a digital portfolio and career readiness platform that will empower students to connect interests with career profiles, explore postsecondary options, and build future-ready competencies. Their hope is that through this approach, students will engage in career assessments, track academic progress, and research colleges, apprenticeships, and trade programs over their tenure at ACIT. They hope this will reflect ACIT’s holistic advising approach, where every adult plays a role in a student’s career journey.

Pillar 2: Dual Enrollment: Opening Doors to College

Dual enrollment plays a pivotal role at ACIT by introducing students, especially those underrepresented in higher education, to college-level work in a supportive environment. These early college experiences help students build confidence, shift self-perceptions, and accelerate credential attainment. Partnerships with institutions like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have created first-of-their-kind programs where students earn early college credit in STEM careers such as aviation. When paired with strong advising and credential alignment at ACIT, dual enrollment becomes not just an academic advantage, but a launchpad for life after graduation.

In a similar light, ACIT has also prioritized Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and most recently, 70% of students earned a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam. This also represented a 25% increase in the number of AP exams taken over the previous year. For the 25-26 school year, students will have access to an expanded course catalog, which will now also include AP Spanish Language and Culture, Research, and African-American Studies.

Pillar 3: Work-Based Learning: From Exposure to Empowerment

At ACIT, work-based learning (WBL) is more than job shadowing; it’s a structured, identity-affirming experience that connects classroom learning to real-world impact. Work-based learning experiences are aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and include internships, pre-apprenticeships, job shadowing, and co-ops. These opportunities help students clarify career goals, develop employability skills, and demonstrate technical competencies related to their pathway programs.

Students explore career interests as early as their junior year, then apply for WBL opportunities in their senior year. Each experience is scaffolded with pre-placement training, clearly defined goals, and post-placement reflection. ACIT’s WBL Coordinator serves as the central connector between school, industry, and students, helping to ensure access, alignment, and quality.

ACIT has cultivated strong partnerships with local employers, unions, postsecondary institutions, and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance to create meaningful placements that support students’ transitions into adulthood.

Pillar 4: Industry Credentials & Career Readiness: Equipping for What’s Next

Students at ACIT don’t just graduate with a diploma; they graduate with options. Through credential-aligned coursework in fields such as the health sciences (including medical assisting, dental, and EMT), CADD, and Computer Science, students are earning valuable, industry-recognized certifications that validate their readiness for the workforce. Curricula are co-designed with employers and advisory councils to ensure students are being trained on the tools, technologies, and competencies required in the real world. Whether it’s certifications in cosmetology, auto technologies, or media and graphics, ACIT ensures its students are workforce-ready while remaining college-eligible. Stackable credentials are integrated into programs to maximize both immediate opportunity and long-term advancement.