Hoover High School Academies 2025-2026
Hoover High School is proud to offer five career focused STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) academies for students to choose from. Each of these small learning communities include access to rigorous AP and college-prep coursework. In addition, each academy prepares students for success in any career they choose to pursue after high school. Students engage in thematic, interdisciplinary units of project-based learning study, infused with work-based and career experience throughout the year. To create this authentic experience, academy teams meet regularly with industry advisory boards to help prepare students for the demands of entry-level work and post-secondary education. Such learning experiences include job shadows, college tours, internships, guest speakers, industry mentors, field trips, and much more.
For more information on the benefits of Linked Learning, please visit http://www.linkedlearning.org/en/about/
Academy of Health and Healthier Communities (AHHC)
AHHC provides students with coursework and workplace experience that allows them to explore a wide variety of careers in the healthcare and biotechnology industries. AHHC partners with Rady Children’s Hospital FACES for the Future Program (FACES), a health professions internship program, and other community health agencies. AHHC inspires youth to lead by creating innovative approaches to youth development, health careers preparation, and wellness. AHHC is working to diversify the healthcare industry and to address health equity for all communities through the education and empowerment of youth.
In AHHC students will:
- Develop personal health and wellness strategies
- Build college and career readiness skills through pathway completion and participation in career experience activities such as internships, job shadows, and special projects
- Exhibit the core values of healthcare professionals: integrity, respect, kindness, empathy, teamwork, innovation, and excellence Work collaboratively to promote healthy communities
For additional information, please contact Academy DirectorJane Westfall at [email protected]
MET (Media, Entertainment and Technology)
MET (formerly AOIT) is one of the three major programs sponsored by the National Academy Foundation which provides students with knowledge of media, drone, and information technologies and its ever-expanding universe. MET gives students the opportunity to earn college credits through technology coursework and AP course offerings while still in secondary education. Our vision is to prepare students of today for higher education and careers of tomorrow and our mission is to develop a community of learners dedicated to relevant and challenging educational experiences through internship, mentorship, and academics. MET promotes teamwork, character, and self-confidence, builds research, organizational, and communication skills, and provides a sound foundation of technological skills through AP Computer Science, Drones, Video Production, and Broadcast Journalism pathways. Students will integrate relevant technical applications and skills to solve problems professionally and academically to improve and enhance their Hoover community.
In MET students will:
- Model and implement self-advocacy skills necessary for academic and professional audiences in order to attain their goals.
- Demonstrate College, Career, and Technical education through pathway completion, internship, or project based learning.
For additional information, please contact Academy Director Ellen Towers at [email protected] or see example projects at https://sites.google.com/sandi.net/pblprojects2021-22/home
Academy of Literature, Media, & Arts (ALMA)
with specialities in Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA)
The mission of the rebranded VAPA is to provide artistic and creative education for students interested in visual and performing arts, which includes media, music, theater, or visual art. VAPA provides students with a unique space for young artists to belong, learn, create, and grow academically and artistically. Through collaboration with arts organizations such as The La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Youth Symphony, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and transcenDance, VAPA students are inspired to discover who they are, and how their creative passion benefits society. It is our intent to prepare students to be lifelong learners in whatever career path they decide to choose, and to be responsive to the changing climate of the world beyond high school. VAPA is committed to the diversity of the community of City Heights and fosters an environment that is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all.
In VAPA students will:
- Become self-sufficient and be able to determine academic and vocational choices.
- Develop respect and tolerance for diversity in preparation for academic and artistic endeavors.
- Develop personal and professional integrity through trust, respect, and student-involved decision making, and accept responsibility for their actions.
- Meet or exceed state standards in their academic classes and develop technological proficiency.
- Be given an academic foundation that prepares them for higher levels of education.
- Effectively communicate through traditional oral and written expression and through their art.
For additional information, please contact Academy Director Michael Heu at [email protected] or (619) 344-4500 ext. 3710 and visit our website at https://sites.google.com/view/VAPAhooverhs/home
Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Determination Academy
The Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Determination Academy (LEAD) educates, organizes, and advocates positive social action for self, family, community and the environment. In order to prepare for college and career readiness, our project- based curriculum and actions will explore issues of human rights, social concerns and stimulate intellectual curiosity through intensive study from diverse perspectives. Our vision is to empower teens to be unified catalysts for ongoing positive change for self, family, community, and environment through critical thinking, civic action, and shared leadership. Students will set the PACE (Proposed Academy Core Expectations) for PEACE:
P - Prepare: Cultivate empathy and develop positive social identities
E - Educate: Educate themselves to promote justice in a diverse environment
A - Advocate: Advocate for self and others
C - Collaborate: Collaborate and positively respond to diversity while building respect, understanding and empathy
E - Empower: Create empowered spaces to promote justice, carry out civic action and mindfully reflect on beliefs and behaviors
For additional information, please contact Academy Director Aaron Pores at [email protected] or visit our website at Sites.google.com/sandi.net/sja, and follow us on Instagram at @socialjusticeacademy
Sustainable Academy of Building & Engineering (SABE)
The demand for highly skilled engineers and construction specialists in the field of resource sustainability is growing world-wide as the need to expand sustainable resource practices creates increased demand for environmentally friendly construction and engineering careers. The Sustainable Academy of Building and Engineering (SABE) prepares students for college and career opportunities in these fields. The SABE 9-12th grade elective sequence includes two pathway choices: a construction focus with electives in Construction Technology, Fine Woodworking, and Advanced General Construction; or an engineering focus with electives in Introduction to Engineering Design, Civic Engineering and Architecture, and Honors Engineering and Architecture. Additionally, students have the opportunity to earn weighted college credits for electives completed with a grade of B or better. OSHA 10 training/certification are also offered to the students' in their 12th grade year.
In SABE students will:
- Utilize 21st century skills to become agents of change in the field of sustainability and resource management.
- Participate in yearly work-based experiences in the areas of sustainable building and engineering design.
- Use engineering solutions and sustainable building principles to identify and address areas of need in their community to solve real world problems
- Have ongoing interactions with industry partners to increase the rigor of projects and instill professional habits
For additional information, please contact Academy Director, Kristiana Riego de Dios at [email protected].
You can also visit our website at sites.google.com/sandi.net/sabe/home or instagram @sabe_hhs