The goal of the IT Academy at Lakeland High School is to prepare students for the business world of today and tomorrow. The IT Academy is a unique program that allows students to earn high school credit, college credit and industry certification. Through this program, students will be better prepared for college and will learn in-demand skills that Florida employers are seeking. Courses are not based on theory alone. Through hands-on work, students will practice skills that are used in the real world. Students also have the opportunity to qualify for Florida Bright Futures and Gold Seal Scholarships!

Graduates can choose to continue their education at a university, college, or technical school. With the skills and certifications they have earned through the IT Academy, graduates' coursework will be easier. They will also be prepared to acquire better part-time jobs so they can work their way through school. If seeking a post secondary education is not right for a student, they will have the experience, skills, and certifications needed to make them highly employable, giving them the possibility of earning better-than-average wages.

A recent study by the University of West Florida's HAAS Center, stated that career academy graduates can expect to earn over $298,000 more in their lifetime, compared to "regular" high school graduates -- even if they don't attend college.

What We Do

Technology makes tremendous advancements every day. It is the Academy's goal to keep students up to date with the latest software and hardware including the most recent versions of Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Fireworks, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Flash.

Lakeland High School's IT Academy teaches the latest technology curriculum. Graduates will have learned the basic foundations of their selected track and have a grasp of current industry technologies. More importantly, students will understand where the industry is heading in the future.

The IT Academy desires for all students to graduate not only with a high school diploma, but with as many industry certifications as possible. IT Academy students will strive to be the most highly employable applicants for any job they seek.