Academy of Criminal Justice at  Newberry High School

The Academy of Criminal Justice at  Newberry High School was started in 1996 and is located near Gainesville, Florida. The program has grown to 84 students and consists of four classes (one each year). 9th grade is Police Patrol Operations, 10th-Criminal Investigations, 11th-Law (state, federal, local, both civil and criminal), and 12th grade is divided into two semester courses (forensics and corrections).  12th graders do an internship with one of the local law enforcement agencies or the state attorney's office. 

(photo at left)

Academy of Criminal Justice students meeting law enforcement officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Students from middle schools throughout the county apply to the Academy of Criminal Justice magnet program during the spring of their 8th grade year.  As part of the program students attend competitions for everything from firearms to fingerprinting to mock trials and forensics. At the Academy there are a number of activities including full defensive tactics that cover handcuffing, baton training, and take downs.  

(photo at right) Students working on handcuffing techniques

Other activities include fingerprinting, forensics lab, mock trials, firearms (using their own MILO firearms simulator), tactical procedures (room clearing), crime scene analysis.  They have a partnership with the Alachua County Sheriff's Office's Teen Court Program which lets their students sit on the jury and act as attorneys for that program. They take annual field trips to a forensics lab, the county jail, and the police academy. Students receive credit from their local college for taking Academy courses and receiving a “C” or better.

(Photo at left) Students practicing a mock trial

The Academy of Criminal Justice is in the process of getting their own squad car donated by the Sheriff's Office. Minimum requirements to be accepted and remain in the program include a 2.5 GPA and no behavior issues in school. For more information about the   Academy of Criminal Justice at Newberry High School visit their website.