The NH Career Academy is on a mission to reshape how young people in NH prepare for life after high school. The public charter school, which opened its doors to its first class of students this fall, is designed to help high school seniors simultaneously earn a diploma and an associate degree or an industry-recognized credential—all at no cost to students, families, or local taxpayers.
Established in 2024, NH Career Academy operates in partnership with the Community College System of NH, offering classes on three of its campuses: NHTI – Concord’s Community College, Manchester Community College, and Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth and Rochester.
“This is about preparing students for success, whether that’s a career, a four-year degree, or both,” says Patrick O’Mara, the academy’s executive director. “New Hampshire Career Academy is the result of years of collaboration among educators, community leaders, and policymakers who wanted to rethink how we prepare students for life after high school.”
Originally launched as a pilot in 2019 at Spaulding High School in Rochester, the concept was adopted and expanded by the NH Department of Education under Gov. Chris Sununu. In 2022, the program was restructured into an independent charter school, giving it more flexibility and reach.
“The Career Academy is at the intersection of education and workforce development,” O’Mara says. “We work with chambers and local businesses because we want to build a pipeline directly into New Hampshire’s workforce.” Funding for the academy comes from a blend of state adequacy funds, grants, and private donations. Looking ahead, it hopes to expand into other parts of the state, including Laconia, Berlin, Keene, and Nashua. “We think this is a model that meets students where they are and helps New Hampshire build the workforce it needs,” O’Mara says.
