The academy has been in existence four years, through which it has undergone many changes. These changes include: Administrators, grade levels accepted, and teaching styles.

Approximately six weeks of in-service training and curriculum writing time was funded for the five teachers selected to implement the academy. Teachers and selected administration participated in the in-service training. Among programs provided were the following topics and experiences:

Prior to the second year, a new business teacher/coordinator, language arts teacher experienced in teaching the Applied Language Arts [CORD] Curriculum, and the chairperson of social studies were added to the faculty as replacements for the three members who chose not to continue.

During the second year, the teachers were offered the opportunity to train in areas that they felt needed improvement. During this time, the teachers felt that the following in-service training experiences were valuable:

During the third year, the faculty stayed in tact with the execption of the science teacher, who moved out of state. The new science teacher hired had experience in interdisciplinary instuctional methods in teamwork on middle school academic teams. She was also certified in high school science and social studies. During the third year of operation, the faculty participated in several in-sevice activities. Several of the academy teacher were asked to assume leadership roles in the Baker County High School Vision for Tomorrow and School Improvement Teams.

At the end of the third year, the social studies teacher and the science teacher chose not to continue on in the academy. Prior to the fourth year, the decision was made to have social studies taught outside of the academy and a new science teacher was also chosen.

Student in-service opportunites originally began through the recruitment and guidance department activities and open houses held to identify academy canadates. Their in-service activities grew to include the following types of activities during the years: