Nease's Career Academies
3 Incredible Programs. 6 Full-Time Instructors. 800+ Involved Students. Endless Opportunities.
Academy Applications for 2025-26
Applications for Academies/Programs of Interest at Nease High School are now open! If you are currently a rising 9th or 10th grader for the 2025-26 school year, and live in St. Johns County, you can apply.
Currently attending a St. Johns County Public School? See application directions here: HAC Instructions For Applying
If you currently live in St. Johns County, but are enrolled in a private school, virtual school, or are home schooled, see application directions here: https://cte.stjohns.k12.fl.us/apply/
Applications are available from January 6th through January 24th at 5 pm. If your student is going to be a 9th or 10th grader for the 2025-26 school year, and lives in St. Johns County, they are eligible to apply to Career Academies/Programs of Interest. If accepted via the lottery process in February 2025, the student will start that Academy program in the 2025-26 school year. If you have questions, reach to Nease’s Academy Coordinator, Jaime Combs: [email protected]
Important Dates:
Nease Academy Open House, Jan. 22nd, 2025: Join us for a campus tour at 5:30 pm, a general information session on our programs and the application process at 6 pm, and breakout sessions to learn more about the programs your student is most interested in from 6:40 – 7:15 pm.
Academy Seniors: Time to Order Academy Graduation Cords
Academy graduation cord orders are available to order online, now through January 31st, via Sign Up Genius and Schoolpay. First, sign up to pre-order your cord here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4CA8AD2FA3FC1-54269309-academy
Then head here to pay $8 for your cord (link is also available in the Sign Up Genius): https://www.schoolpay.com/pay/for/20242025-Nease-Academy-Cords/ScSEf2Z
Please sign up with the student’s name under the Academy they have been enrolled in for at least 3 years, so that an Academy cord can be ordered for you. Cords cost 8 dollars. If you do not order your cord and pay before the January 31st deadline, you will not be able to get an Academy cord for graduation. Please make sure you only sign up for the Academy you have been enrolled in for at least 3 years. If you sign up under the wrong Academy, the wrong color cord could be ordered for you. Communications Academy students get blue cords, Engineering Academy students get red cords, and Hospitality Academy students get aqua cords.
Summer Internships for Communications, Engineering, and Hospitality Academy Juniors
The summer internship application process begins in January. Any Juniors in Wired, Sports Media, Engineering, and Hospitality classes are eligible to apply for a summer internship.
See more information on the process, and a link to the application here: 2025 Student Intern Application Overview & Timeline
What’s been happening in the Stellar Academy of Engineering? Read our blog posts here: Stellar Academy of Engineering Articles
Mission Statement
The Stellar Academy of Engineering provides high quality curriculum which exposes a diverse group of students to aspects relevant to the expansive engineering field. Through business and academic involvement, students gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to excel academically, socially and professionally.
If your student is considering a career in Engineering, this is the Academy to join. In Nease’s Stellar Academy of Engineering, we’re providing innovative curriculum by partnering with Stellar, a global leader in engineering and design, working with professionals in the field, and offering our students unique opportunities to truly explore the many career paths open to those who have a passion for engineering. With hands-on projects, unique field trips, engaging guest speakers, and internship opportunities, join the Stellar Academy of Engineering for a high school engineering education like no other.
The Stellar Academy of Engineering was formed in partnership with Stellar, a fully integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction, and mechanical services worldwide,
headquartered in Jacksonville. Stellar recognizes the need to increase the quality, diversity and number of students prepared to pursue a career in engineering. Students benefit from this unique relationship through the real-world projects and perspective these engineers bring to the classroom. Stellar and other business partners provide valuable work-based learning opportunities such as internships and job shadowing. We have had Academy interns go on to be hired by business partners to start working in engineering firms while going to college.
In addition to strong partners in our community, we offer Academy students opportunities to prepare for the engineering industry via field trips, guest speakers, lunch and learns, and industry certification exams. Through the course of the Academy curriculum, students have the opportunity to earn professional industry certifications in multiple types of 2D and 3D engineering design software.
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS:
- AutoDESK AutoCAD
- AutoDESK Inventor
- AutoDESK Revit
- AutoDESK Fusion 360
- PMI Project Management Ready
What’s been happening in the Communications Academy? Read our blog posts here: Communications Academy Articles
Mission Statement
We will prepare and inspire students for success in college and career by providing relevant skills, knowledge, and real-world exposure to the communications industry.
The Communications Academy at Nease allows students to explore the fields of television production and digital design. Through hands-on experience and unique field trip opportunities, students gain real-world skills as they prepare for college and career.
Academy Highlights:
- Produce Wired, an award-winning daily TV newscast using professional equipment and technology
- Film high school athletic events and edit ESPN-style highlight reels
- Create graphic design projects for print and electronic distribution using the Adobe Creative Suite of software. Students learn the use of these programs for digital bitmap and vector based images, animation and web page authoring.
- Create a professional digital portfolio
- Earn industry certifications in the Adobe Creative Suite software
The cornerstone of career education is work-based learning and our Academy is fortunate to partner with PGA Tour Entertainment, WJXT Channel 4, Leonards’ Studios, Flagler College, University of North Florida and other leaders in the communications industry. These generous companies provide our program with industry guidance as well as opportunities for internships, job-shadowing, field trips, mentoring, guest speakers and other special events.
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS:
- TV Production Strand: Adobe Premiere Pro & Adobe Photoshop
- Digital Design Strand: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign & Illustrator
What’s been happening in the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism? Read our blog posts here: Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Articles
Mission Statement
The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism provides relevant and high-quality curriculum, which exposes students to a variety of aspects within the industry. Students will gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for academic and professional success in hospitality and tourism, across industry segments and in related fields.
Why has Nease ventured into the world of Hospitality and Tourism? Because it’s a growing, thriving global industry with solid roots in St. Johns County. Hospitality and Tourism creates thousands of jobs, generates tremendous amounts of money, and is continuing to grow in our backyard and around the globe.
Through the St. Johns County Academy of Hospitality &
Tourism curriculum, students have the opportunity to run their own hotel, restaurant, and sports arena through computer simulations. Field trip opportunities allow Academy students to see Hospitality and Tourism firsthand, by visiting local hotels and attractions to learn how they’re managed. Our business partners also offer summer internships to Academy students, so they can start building their Hospitality resume before they even graduate high school.
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS:
- Social Media Strategy Certification
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business Certification
- Food Protection Manager – ServSafe
Want to learn more about additional Nease’s Programs of Choice?
International Baccalaureate Program: https://www-nhs.stjohns.k12.fl.us/ib/
Naval JROTC Program: https://sites.google.com/a/navyjrotc.us/nease-panther-njrotc/?pli=1
For more information on Nease’s Career Academy Programs:
Jaime Combs, Academy Coordinator
904-547-8306 or [email protected]
Learn more about the Career Academies throughout St. Johns County High Schools here:
High School Career Academies
Allen D. Nease High School, as part of the St. Johns County School District, offers the following career and technical programs, including career academies wherein students may earn industry certification: The Stellar Academy of Engineering, The Communications Academy, The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, NJROTC and the International Baccalaureate Program.
The district prohibits discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment, and in access to educational programs and activities, and prohibits harassment of any individual or group on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or genetic information (and other protected classes included in the district’s nondiscrimination policies).
Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation. The district may assess each student’s ability to benefit from specific programs through placement tests and counseling, and, if necessary, will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation.