The Academy of Finance Business, Community and Alumni Partnership is holding it's 18th annual Russell's Dinner for Two Fundraiser to benefit the students of the AOF. Certificates are $95 and valid Jan 1 - Nov 30, 2026 except Saturdays and Holidays. Reservations required. Complete the order form above for payment information.
Lancaster High School Academy of Finance Earns National “Katherine Blasik Distinguished” Recognition
(April 20, 2025, Lancaster, NY) – The Lancaster High School Academy of Finance has been awarded NAF’s Katherine Blasik Distinguished level recognition for 2025 – NAF’s highest level of achievement. This includes academies that have reached this level more than once and new academies joining the roster for the first time.
This designation is given to a select few who have reached Katherine Blasik Distinguished level on NAF’s annual assessment, exhibiting strong fidelity to a design that prepares students for success in college and careers. Katherine Blasik Distinguished level is determined by an academy’s score on the assessment, which measures strengths and challenges in implementing NAF’s results-driven design. Site visits, hosted virtually this year, were conducted to verify academy scores for those new to Katherine Blasik Distinguished.
The assessment is designed to help all academies assess their progress and move up on the continuum of NAF’s standards.
In the classroom, NAF transforms how we think about education—going beyond what traditional high schools offer with personalized learning environments and career-focused curricula. Outside the classroom, students are equipped with the future-ready skills and industry-specific learnings to be successful in any pathway they choose.
NAF Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Dughi, said, “Congratulations to all our Katherine Blasik Distinguished and NAF Model academies on this esteemed recognition! We’d also like to put our hands together for our academies joining the ranks for the first time. NAF celebrates you and is thrilled to spotlight your contributions and successes, in preparing the next generation of leaders. We thank you for your hard work and dedication and know that the entire network will benefit from your impressive exemplars.”
“This recognition is a testament to all those who help make our academy a success,” Scott Dixon, Academy Director and Teacher. “Without our students, teachers, business and community partners, we couldn’t achieve this level of success.”
Lancaster High School Academy of Finance is part of NAF, a national education non-profit, which provides access to opportunities for high school students and their communities, by bringing schools and businesses together to better prepare the next generation of leaders for college, career, and future success.
About NAF:
Since 1980, NAF has led a movement for immersive, career-focused teaching and work-based learning in high school. With the support of NAF community-based advisory boards, schools connect with the workforce to fuel shared progress—from creating paid internship opportunities to fostering innovation and building future-ready businesses. NAF helps students explore career options, create a plan for the future, and take part in hands-on, work-based learning unlike anything traditional public education systems can offer. NAF puts students on a path to achieving their full potential.
NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in New York City to hundreds of academies across the country focusing on growing industries including finance, hospitality & tourism, information technology, engineering, and health sciences; and support programs of study that are aligned with the National Career Clusters Framework. During the 2024-25 school year, over 112,000 students attended over 600 NAF academies across 34 states and territories. In 2024, NAF academies reported 99% of seniors graduated with 90% of graduates planning to go to college. Learn more at naf.org and follow us on social @NAFCareerAcads.
About LHS AOF www.lancasterschools.org/finance
The Lancaster High School Academy of Finance (LHS AOF), a distinguished member of the nationally recognized NAF network, empowers students with real-world skills and experiences that prepare them to be Future Ready. NAF is a national leader for career themed academies, focused on college and career readiness, bringing together education, business, and community stakeholders to reimagine the high school experience.
Established in 2008, the LHS Academy of Finance has graduated over 1,000 students with 98% pursuing post-secondary education. Structured as a small, focused learning community within Lancaster High School, the academy delivers a rigorous, three-year curriculum validated by industry professionals. The program emphasizes project-based learning and offers an extensive work-based learning component that includes guest speakers, career mentors, workplace tours, job shadowing, and a required 80-hour internship.
Students in the Academy of Finance earn industry-recognized credentials, including Microsoft Office Certification and the New York State Career and Technical Education (CTE) endorsement on their Regents diploma. On average, students also graduate with 15 transferable college credits through the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
Supporting this Academy of Finance is the Business, Community, and Alumni Partnership Board—a dedicated group of local business leaders, higher education partners, school district staff, alumni, and parents. The board works collaboratively through the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Lancaster Education Alumni Foundation (LEAF) to offer meaningful work-based learning opportunities such as guest speaker events, project judging, career interviews, worksite tours, career fairs, mentoring, networking events, job shadows, and paid internships.
The Lancaster High School Academy of Finance remains committed to providing students with the tools and experiences they need to thrive in college, careers, and beyond.
The Lancaster High School Academy of Finance (AOF) is part of NAF (www.naf.org), the recognized national leader for career academies. NAF helps students to become ‘Future Ready’ by bringing education, business, and community leaders together to transform the high school experience. Since its inception in 2008, the LHS AOF has graduated nearly 1000 students.
Our academy is structured as a small, focused learning community that fits within our high school. The academy program spans three-years worth of industry-validated curriculum, project-based learning, and a robust work-based learning program culminating with an 80-hour paid internship. Students earn Microsoft Certification plus the Career and Technical Education Certification on their Regents or Advanced Regents diploma from NYSED. Additionally, on average, students graduate from the LHS AOF with 15 transferable SUNY college credits.
To support students, a separately organized Business, Community & Alumni Partnership includes local business leaders, higher education partners, district staff, alumni, and parents who work to provide work-based opportunities such as guest speakers, conducting mock interviews, worksite tours, career fairs, career mentoring, informational interviews, job shadows, and paid internships. The board works through the 501(c)3, Lancaster Education Alumni Foundation (LEAF).
Students apply to an Academy in January of their 9th-grade year.
Apply to the Academy of Finance
Freshmen may apply to the Academy of Finance in January. Visit the Academies Home Page for details.
Students in the AOF pursue one or both of the following certifications:
NAFTrack Certification
NAFTrack Certification, designed by education and business leaders, is an employability credential that serves as NAF’s seal of college and career readiness. NAF assesses student performance through the completion of career-focused courses, internship assessments, and high school graduation.
NYS Regents: Career & Technical Endorsement (CTE)
The Lancaster Academy of Finance is a NYSED accredited CTE program with pathways for students seeking Regents and Advanced Regents diplomas. Students learn “hands-on” career skills while earning a Regent's Diploma in order to prepare for college or other higher education studies.
Additionally, students can earn the following:
Buffalo State Dual Enrollment
The Academy of Finance has partnered with Buffalo State University and offers dual enrollment college courses through the College Access Program. Students are eligible to earn up to 24 transferable college credits.
Microsoft Office Specialist Certification
AOF students earn Microsoft Excel certification, a credential necessary for Business and Finance careers plus others. Additionally, students can earn Microsoft Word and PowerPoint certifications.
NAF solves some of the biggest challenges facing education and the economy by bringing education, business, and community leaders together to transform the high school experience. Since 1980, NAF has grown from one NAF Academy of Finance in NYC to 604 NAF academies focusing on growing industries today. NAF partners with some of America’s top companies who seek to employ NAF certified graduates.
Lancaster High School’s Academy of Finance (LHSAOF) is a member of NAF, the recognized national leader for career academies. Since its inception in 2008, the LHS AOF has graduated nearly 1000 students.
Our academy is structured as a small, focused learning community that fits within our high school. Our program spans three years’ worth of industry validated curriculum, project-based learning and a robust work-based learning program which culminates with a paid internship. Students earn Microsoft Certification as well as the Career and Technical Education Certification on their Regents or Advanced Regents diploma from NYSED. Additionally, students are eligible to graduate from the LHS AOF with 24 transferable college credits.
Student career preparation is supported by volunteers of the Academy of Finance Business, Community & Alumni Partnership, a separate board that falls under the umbrella of the Lancaster Education Alumni Foundation (LEAF), a 501(c)3 organization.
Freshmen apply to the Academy of Finance each January. The application is open to all freshmen, and detailed instructions are provided on the Lancaster High School website and at Academy Information Night.
A successful candidate demonstrates:
Motivation to Participate
Positive Attitude
Potential to complete program
Seriousness about career readiness
Readiness for relevant & rigorous work
These attributes are illustrated through:
Teacher or Counselor Recommendations
Student Writing Sample
Discipline/Attendance Record
If the number of applicants exceeds available positions, a review of the student’s academic record may also be considered.
