Career Programs > Law Enforcement
Law and Justice Program: Roswell, Georgia
The Law and Justice Program is part of Centennial High School, a comprehensive high school in Roswell, Georgia with about 150 students. The major concentrations are law enforcement, Corrections, Forensics and the Judiciary. The Program offers three years of courses and apprenticeship program. The curriculum structure is a combination of hands on training and academic studies. Extra emphasis is placed on reading, writing and technology proficiency. Field trips include visits to a state correctional facility, county and federal courts, the medical examiners office, local police departments, and the state crime lab. The program also offers the Explorers Program and Skills USA competition. Seniors are invited to travel to Washington, DC to view the Federal system in more depth. Student activities are directed at producing citizens that exemplify integrity, service and valor.
Primary contact: Dr. Thomas Washburn, NBCT Work: 770-650-4230 #180
E-Mail: washburnt@fultonschools.org
(770) 650-4250 Fax
Criminal Justic Academy: Pinellas Park High School
What's the program all about?
The Criminal Justice Academy is a four-year high school magnet program with an emphasis on law education. The academy staff is committed to providing students with an outstanding high school education in all academic areas. Students gain an understanding of the American legal system and explore a wide range of career-related opportunities. Graduates of the academy will be prepared to further their formal education in the college or university setting or to pursue immediate entry into a chosen career or technical school, or for employment upon graduation from high school.
Students in the Criminal Justice Academy have access to the Pinellas County court complex, the police academy serving Pinellas County, the offices of the state attorney and the public defender, the Sheriff’s Department and several city police departments.
They are able to explore careers such as attorney, police officer, forensic specialist, marine patrol officer, court reporter, federal officer (FBI, Secret Service, DEA), paralegal and many more.
The Criminal Justice Academy provides specific facilities and equipment to enhance the law-related curriculum, including:
- Two mock courtrooms
- Biology/forensics laboratory
- Crime scene laboratory
- Firearm Traning Simulator (FATS) computer laboratory
Specific law-related courses available to academy students include:
- Criminal Justice I, II, and III
- Comprehensive Law Studies
- Constitutional Law II, an honors course
- Introduction to Criminal Justice, a dual credit (college and high school) course
- Constitutional Law and Rules of Evidence, a dual credit course
What does Pinellas Park High School have to offer?
Pinellas Park High School, home to the Patriots, is located in the center of Pinellas County. Our culturally diverse school consists of approximately 2,300 students enrolled in a wde range of program opportunities.
Pinellas Park High School offers honors, Advanced Placement standard and vocational classes. PPHS continues to play a vital role in the shaping of our students and our community.
The students in the Criminal Justice Academy also play a vital role in the life of Pinellas Park High School. They have the opportunity to participate in all activities at the school including athletics, band, drama, clubs and more. They have served in major leadership roles in the school such as president of the student government, editor of the school newspaper, president of the senior class and president of the National Honor Society.
What's the admission criteria?
Students who wish to enter the Criminal Justice Academy Program must:
- Be applying for the 9th grade
- Have a 2.3 academic grade point average for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades
- Have stanines of 5 or higher in reading and math on the FCAT Norm-Referenced Test or stanines of 5 or higher on comparable standardized norm-referenced test for grades 6 and 7
- Have acceptable disciplinary and attendance records
- Meet all entrance requirements at the conclusion of 8th grade
In what special activities and organizations could I participate?
Mock Trial Team
Academy students can audition for the mock trial team. Coached by academy teachers and local attorneys, the team participates in state mock trial competition every spring.
Florida Law Honor Society
The staff of the Criminal Justice Academy created this society to honor the academic accomplishments of students involved in law-related education. Its design has been adopted by the State of Florida for use by other law programs and soon should be a national organization.
Skills USA
This is a national association for high schools devoted to career studies including criminal justice. CJA students have held regional, state and national offices in this organization. In a state competition that tests legal skills, CJA students have achieved first place in each of the last five years. CJA students also have been national winners for the last two years.
Florida Public Service Association (FPSA)
FPSA allows students to expand their interest in public service careers including law enforcement. CJA students havewon many awards in the state completitions conducted by FPSA. They even won the association's "brain bowl," which tests the students' knowledge of the legal system.
Community Organizations
The academy encourages participation with the Law Explorers, Police Explorers and the Teen Court, which allows CJA students to enhance their legal education in the community.
What are some highlights of the program?
- In 2005-06, the academy's Florida Public Service Association team placed first at the state conference for the fifth consecutive year. Academy students won top awards in most of the conference categories, including criminal incident investigation, Brain Bowl, forensics investigation and criminal case analysis.
- In 2005-06, the academy's mock trial team finished fifth in the state competition. The academy mock trial team is the only competing high school team in Pinellas County.
- In 2005, Criminal Justice Academy students competed in the Florida High School Appellate Moot Court competition at the Florida Supreme Court in Tallahassee. The CJA team was named best team in the state by the Supreme Court justices.
- Criminal Justice Academy students were involved as participants on every athletic team, cheerleading squad, student club and organization at Pinellas Park High School.
- In 2005-06, academy students performed more than 10,000 hours of volunteer community service. Academy students performed a key role as volunteers for the Pinellas County Teen Court program.
- CJA students interacted with professionals in the law community through guest speakers, field trips and assemblies.
How do I apply for the program?
Application and admissions to the Criminal Justice Academy are handled through the School Choice office. Click here to access the latest news on how and when to apply.
