About Our Prestige

William H. Turner Technical Arts High School (Turner Tech) was founded in 1993 as a "School of Choice" using the career academy model of school reform. The mission of Turner Tech is to equip our students with the academic and professional expertise necessary for success in a global society. The school works collaboratively with all stakeholders to provide a rigorous curriculum that leads to high school graduation, college readiness, and industry certification for all students. The school is structured around a career academy model in which students enroll in one of the school's seven academies: Criminal Justice, Entertainment Technology, Business & Finance, Information Technology, Medical Sciences, Urban Construction Management Technology & Urban Planning Architecture, and Veterinary Science & Agricultural Technology.

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Turner Tech is nationally recognized as a leader in successful implementation of the Career Academy Model.

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Some of the recognition the school has received include:

• National Career Academy Coalition Model Academies: Criminal Justice, Business & finance, Information Technology, Medical Sciences, Veterinary Science & Agricultural Technology

• National Career Academy Coalition Certified Academies: Entertainment Technology, Urban Construction Management Technology & Urban Planning Architecture​

• New American High School, U.S. Department of Education

• New Urban High School, U.S. Department of Education

• American Federation of Teachers, one of five national models of restructuring

• New Millennium High School, Florida Department of Education

• Best High Schools, Bronze Medal 2014, U.S. News and World Report​

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Community

William H. Turner Technical Arts High School is in the northwest section of Miami, Florida, and is part of the Miami-Dade County Public School System, the fourth largest school system in the United States. The population of the school reflects Miami's numerous diverse cultures and includes many students whose home language is not English and "First Generation" to college students. The school is a "School of Choice" drawing students from all areas of Miami-Dade County but mostly from urban, northern part of the county.

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Percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch: 88%

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Ethnic composition 80.7% Black, 17.9% Hispanic, <1% White, <1% Asian, <1% Other

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Curriculum

Students, Counselors, and Faculty work in teams within their assigned academy. These small "school within a school" academies integrate challenging academic curriculum into the career major the students in enrolled in. By successfully completing their academy "program of study" (a Prescribed sequence of core academic and technical courses) Students gain industry certification in one or more related fields. All students compile an active career portfolio, which includes examples of their individual work as well a current resume, and participate in a senior capstone experience. In addition, students participate in a variety of hands-on experiences in actual workplaces (i.e., Executive internships, on-the-job training or school-based enterprises). School-based enterprises include the store, credit union, and agricultural enterprise. Students are required to take one or two "career/technical" credits per year depending on their program of study.

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Eleven Advanced Placement classes are offered in the following subject areas: Art history, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Human Geography, Macroeconomics, Psychology, Spanish Language, and U.S. Government. Additionally, twenty-two honor subjects are offered. World language courses offered are Spanish 1, Spanish 2, Spanish 3 Honors, Spanish 4 Honors, Advanced Placement Spanish Language, French 1, French 2, and French 3 Honors. Completing coursework online through Florida Virtual School (FLVS) is an option that students may elect to participate in. There are both in school and outside of school FLVS options for students. Dual enrollment options are available through Miami-Dade College and Florida International University. Due to requirements for career academy structure and Florida class size amendments funding restrictions, students sometimes cannot be scheduled in all their advanced academic course requests.

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School

Enrollment (Grades 9-12) : 1393

Size of 12th grade: 399

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

One Annual Credit = One Carnegie Unit (24 Credits must be earned to Graduate)

The school day consists of four course blocks, with periods 1,3,5, and 7 on Mondays and Wednesdays, periods 2,4,6 and 8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and alternating odd and even block days on Fridays.

School Year: Eight credits are available to students during the regular school day per year. Prior to the 2012-13 school year, only six credits were available to students during regular school day.

 

Grading System:

• 4.0 Scale: A=4   B=3   C=2   D=1   F=0

• 100% Scale: A=90-100   B=80-89   C=70-79   D=69-60   F=0-59

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Courses designated as Honors and Advanced Placement  are given the following extra grade points:

Grade of "A" or "B in an Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment course- add 2 points

Grade  of "C" in an Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment course- add 1 point

Grade of "A", "B" or "C" in an Honors course- add 1 point

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Graduate Follow-Up

According to Florida Department of Education data, 69.2% of 2012 Turner Tech graduates were enrolled in continuing education.

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Faculty

There are 82 instructional staff members, one principal, one vice-principal, two assistant Principals, three guidance counselors, one college ad visor, one activities director, one testing chair, and one media specialist.

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Extracurricular Activities

Each of Turner Tech's seven Career Academies has a Career Technical Student Association (CTSO) affiliated with the academy. The CTSOs at Turner Tech are FFA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), DECA, SkillsUSA VICA, and Health Occupations Student Association (HOSA). In addition to the CTSO's there are 20 student clubs and organizations. All students are encouraged to have a minimum of 100 hours of community service prior to graduation.

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Athletics

As a "School of Choice", Turner Tech does not have competitive athletic teams. Students athletes participate in sports through assigned "Home School" .