A charitable organization founded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg says it will spend $250 million to establish 10 high schools around the nation focused on the health care industry.
Bloomberg Philanthropies says the initiative pairs public education systems and hospitals in Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas; Durham, North Carolina; Houston; Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; Philadelphia; Demopolis, Alabama; and the Northeast area of Tennessee.
The schools will collectively serve nearly 6,000 students at full capacity and will graduate students directly into high-demand health care jobs with family-sustaining wages.
Each school, whether newly established through this initiative or a revamp of an existing school, will offer students robust academic programming, specialized health care classes, work-based learning at the partner health system and the opportunity to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications.
As part of this initiative, all health system partners have committed to providing job opportunities for students who successfully complete the graduation requirements of their respective programs.
Each school will provide traditional academic programming, as well as specialized healthcare classes co-taught by health system employees using co-designed curriculum.
“By combining classroom learning with hands-on experience, these specialized health care high schools will prepare students for careers with opportunities for growth and advancement," Blooomberg said.
Bloomberg Philanthropies says there are an estimated 2 million open health care industry jobs and an additional 2 million expected by 2031.
