NAF Academy of Building & Design

The NAF Academy of Building & Design is only the second NAF Academy in CFBISD with both NAF academies being at Newman Smith High School. Currently, the NAF Academy of Building & Design serves over 700 students in 5 different Programs of Study.

NAF is a national non-profit organization that transforms the high school experience to prepare students for college, career, and future success. NAF’s design is uniquely comprehensive in its approach to skill development, enabling students of all backgrounds to participate in a meaningful education and gives businesses the opportunity to partner with schools to shape America’s future workforce through career-relevant curricula and work-based learning experiences, including internships.

Strands

Architectural Design (Including Interior Design)

The Architectural Design program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with developing, engineering, and designing building structures and facilities. This program of study may also include exploration into collecting and interpreting geographic information, researching and preparing maps, and interior design.

Construction Management & Inspection

The Construction Management and Inspection program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with cost estimates for construction projects or services to aid management in bidding on or determining the price of products or services. This program of study may also include exploration into inspecting structures using engineering skills to determine structural soundness and compliance with specifications, building codes, and other regulations.

Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning & Sheet Metal

The HVAC and Sheet Metal program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with installing, serving, or repairing heating and air conditioning systems and also the fabrication, assembly, installation, and repair of sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. This program of study may also include exploration into preparing cost estimates for certain construction projects involving heating and air conditioning and sheet metal.

Carpentry

The Carpentry program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities related to constructing, installing, or repairing structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms (including frameworks, partitions, joists, studding, rafters, and stairways). This program of study may also include exploration into installing, dismantling, or moving machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Electrical

The Electrical program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. This program of study may also include exploration into installing and repairing telecommunications cable including fiber optics.

Expert Teachers

Quincy Clark
Academy Facilitator & Carpentry

Juston Braaton
Carpentry

Michael Goodwin
Construction Management

Kenneth Doidge
Principles of Construction

Sabrina Pace
Interior Design Facilitator

Shasta Carwell
Interior Design

Jesus Lopez
Carpentry

Bryant Nash
Carpentry

Ted Kiser
HVAC

Tucker Bilodeau
Architectural Design

Lauren Garcia
Interior Design

Connected Learners

CIEF Design Build Competition- Both Architecture students and Carpentry students participate in this cross-curricular competition. During the four month program, each team is challenged to design and prepare several construction documents according to criteria outlined by CIEF for a 96 square-foot structure. Teams will build their structure at Collin College Technical Campus during a two-day competition and will be judged by industry professionals on the completion of design, construction, code compliance, and safety.

Field Trips- All students in the NAF Academy of Building & Design will have the opportunity to go on field trips where they will be able to see real world examples of what they are learning about in class. Previous field trips have included visits to an architectural millwork company, an active ground-up construction project, an active finish-out project, tours of historical homes, as well as tours of local model homes.

PTECH

PTECH students have the opportunity to earn dual credit hours up to an associate degree through Dallas College at no charge to them. Student also have the opportunity to earn a Level 1 certification through Dallas College that can be used to help them when they begin working to earn higher wages. In addition, as with all CTE Career Clusters, students in the PTECH are able to earn Industry Based Certifications that can also be used to help students earn higher wages when they begin working.

Contact:
Academy Facilitator
Quincy Clark

This Academy is offered at:

Newman Smith High School

Grade Levels Served:
9th-12th Grades

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

What is NAF?

NAF is a national network of career-themed academies typically located within public high schools. They are designed as small learning communities within these schools, which helps to facilitate a personalized environment. NAF academies offer high school students a unique opportunity to explore potential careers. Students get to meet business professionals and participate in activities that reflect the business world and enhance the academy’s traditional and career-focused curriculum. Through this experience, NAF academy graduates are better prepared for college, career, and future success.

What does it cost to join a NAF Academy?

What does it mean to be a NAF student?

As a NAF student, you are one of more than 112,000 current students across 35 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands! When you graduate, you will be part of a national network full of fellow future-ready alumni at different stages in their career. You have access to tons of exclusive opportunities, including scholarships, access to the Alumni Job Board & Alumni LinkedIn group, opportunities to attend in-person networking events and NAF national events, and more! We are committed to helping you prepare for a successful career and future, and we have resources to help you every step of the way. The promise of NAF doesn’t end at high school graduation – it’s just beginning.

What are the benefits of being a NAF student?

The benefits of being a NAF student include but are not limited to:

Opportunities to attend In-person networking events and NAF national events
Access to the Alumni Job Board & Alumni LinkedIn group
Free Life Brand social media scans to ensure your online presence supports your future goals
Exclusive stories, resources, and opportunities in our monthly Alumni e-newsletters
Attend FREE virtual professional development sessions

What opportunities are available to students in a NAF Academy?

Through NAF, students are eligible for scholarships and become part of a network of nearly 120,000 students across the country experiencing that same relevant and engaging educational and work-based learning experiences. In addition, NAF students can earn NAFTrack Certification, NAF’s employability credential that serves as NAF’s seal of college and career readiness. Students who earn NAFTrack Certification demonstrate readiness by completing 4 semesters within the program of study and an internship with a satisfactory business-partner-completed assessment.

What’s the benefit of being in a NAF Academy? What do NAF Academy students get that non-NAF Academy students don’t get?

Through NAF, students have many unique opportunities beyond what a typical high school student may have. Students participate in a series of work-based learning activities that give them access to expertise from business professionals, exposure to work environments, and opportunities to hone their professional skills. NAF students also participate in paid internships that help build their resume, provide opportunities for networking, and build their future ready skills. In the classroom, students participate in career-focused courses and complete projects that are relative to the working world.