School Overview
The City of Hialeah Educational Academy (COHEA) is a high-performing public charter school serving students in grades 6–12. Sponsored by Miami-Dade County Public Schools and operated by the CIVICA Educational Foundation, COHEA provides a seamless college and career preparatory education that combines academic excellence, career-focused learning, leadership development, and real-world experiences.
Recognized as one of South Florida's premier public schools, COHEA is committed to developing students who are academically prepared, career ready, and civic-minded. Our rigorous instructional program emphasizes innovation, leadership, service, and personalized learning while preparing students to thrive in college, the workforce, military service, entrepreneurship, and beyond.
Located on a college-style campus within Slade Park in the City of Hialeah, COHEA offers students a technology-rich learning environment supported by highly qualified, Florida-certified educators and industry professionals. Students benefit from modern classrooms, specialized career and technical education laboratories, collaborative learning spaces, athletic facilities, and close partnerships with local government agencies, businesses, colleges, and community organizations.
COHEA is fully accredited by Cognia, demonstrating the school's commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence.
Today, COHEA serves over 1,000 students in grades 6–12 and has established itself as a regional leader in innovative education by integrating rigorous academics with leadership development and career preparation.
Academic Excellence
COHEA consistently maintains high academic expectations while providing students with individualized support to ensure success. The school offers a comprehensive curriculum aligned to the Florida B.E.S.T. Standards and provides numerous opportunities for students to challenge themselves academically.
Students have access to:
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses
- Cambridge AICE courses
- Dual Enrollment through Miami Dade College and Doral College
- College and Career Acceleration opportunities
- Industry certification programs
- STEM-focused learning experiences
- Research and project-based learning
- Leadership development through the internationally recognized Leader in Me framework
COHEA has earned numerous state and national recognitions, including:
- Florida Department of Education "A" School designation
- U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools, ranking among the nation's top public high schools
- Cognia STEM Certification
- Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification
- Advanced Placement Platinum Honor Roll
Most notably, COHEA became the first high school in the State of Florida to earn the prestigious Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification, recognizing the school's exemplary implementation of leadership principles, student empowerment, positive school culture, and continuous improvement. This distinction reflects COHEA's commitment to developing students who lead with character, responsibility, and purpose.
College and Career Readiness
Preparing students for success after graduation is central to COHEA's mission.
Beginning in middle school, students participate in career exploration and leadership development before selecting a specialized career pathway in high school. Through authentic learning experiences, students develop technical knowledge, employability skills, leadership competencies, and real-world experience.
Students benefit from:
- College credit opportunities through AP, Cambridge AICE, and Dual Enrollment
- Industry-recognized certifications
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework
- Leadership development and service-learning
- Internships, apprenticeships, and work-based learning
- Career exploration and mentorship opportunities
- Workforce readiness training
One of COHEA's newest innovations is the Leaders Engage in Apprenticeships Pathway (LEAP), a workforce development initiative designed to connect seniors directly with employers through structured apprenticeship and work-based learning opportunities.
The LEAP program allows eligible seniors to earn high school credit while gaining valuable paid workplace experience aligned with their career interests. Through partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and industry leaders, students strengthen their professional skills while building a foundation for long-term career success. LEAP reinforces COHEA's commitment to ensuring every graduate leaves high school with meaningful experience that prepares them for college, careers, military service, or entrepreneurship.
Career Pathways
Students personalize their educational experience by selecting one of COHEA's specialized career pathways, each designed to combine rigorous academics with hands-on career preparation.
Current career pathways include:
- Criminal Justice
- Fire Academy
- Health Sciences
- Law and Legal Studies
- Mass Communications
- Collegiate Pathway
- Leaders Engage in Apprenticeships Pathway (LEAP)
Each pathway integrates classroom instruction with authentic learning experiences, including industry certifications, simulations, guest speakers, field experiences, career mentorship, work-based learning, internships, apprenticeships, and service-learning opportunities. Students graduate with both academic knowledge and practical skills that prepare them to excel in college and today's workforce.
Leadership Development
Leadership is embedded throughout every student's educational journey.
Beginning in sixth grade, all students participate in leadership development through the internationally recognized Leader in Me framework, which is grounded in Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Students develop skills in communication, collaboration, responsibility, goal setting, problem-solving, and service while applying these principles through academics, athletics, clubs, student government, career pathways, and community engagement.
The achievement of becoming Florida's first high school to earn Leader in Me Lighthouse Certification reflects COHEA's unwavering commitment to empowering every student to discover their unique strengths, maximize their potential, and become leaders within their school and community.
Campus and Community Partnerships
Located within Slade Park, COHEA provides students with access to outstanding municipal facilities while benefiting from strong partnerships with the City of Hialeah.
The campus is adjacent to the City of Hialeah Police Department Substation 5 and Hialeah Fire Station No. 7, providing authentic learning experiences for students enrolled in the Criminal Justice and Fire Academy pathways.
Additional partnerships with colleges, universities, healthcare providers, local businesses, civic organizations, and public agencies support internships, apprenticeships, mentorships, dual enrollment, career exploration, and community service opportunities that extend learning far beyond the classroom.
Educational Philosophy
Student learning is the foundation of every decision at COHEA. We believe every student has the ability to excel when provided with high expectations, meaningful relationships, innovative instruction, and authentic learning opportunities.
Our educational philosophy is founded on the belief that:
- Every student can achieve academic excellence.
- Leadership development is essential to lifelong success.
- Character education and service strengthen communities.
- Career exploration should begin early and continue throughout a student's educational journey.
- Real-world experiences deepen learning and prepare students for future success.
- Families and community partners are critical to student achievement.
- Innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement drive educational excellence.
By integrating rigorous academics, leadership development, career and technical education, apprenticeships, and community engagement, COHEA prepares graduates who are confident, compassionate, and equipped to succeed in college, careers, military service, entrepreneurship, and civic leadership.
Current and Historical School Grades
https://edudata.fldoe.org/ReportCards/Schools.html?school=7262&district=13
