Overview:

City of Hialeah Educational Academy (HEA) offers a cutting-edge, 6-12th grade seamless college preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on careers in public service and post-secondary education preparation. Located in a college-style campus, the school features a technology-rich environment where highly-qualified, certified instructors prepare students for employment within a multilingual work environment. HEA is committed to setting an environment that strives for academic achievement, develops character and maintains the goal of preparing students to serve and give back to their community in the field of public service.

COHEA is fully accredited by COGNIA.

The school is located at Slade Park, an all-purpose park with 13 acres, a recreation center building with concession, 3 lighted baseball fields, 2 lighted basketball courts, 2 lighted tennis courts, 1 lighted jr. in-line hockey rink, a children’s playground, gazebo with picnic tables and an e-library located within Police Substation 5, which is on the property. Adjacent to the police station is the City of Hialeah Fire Station No. 7.

In 2023, The City of Hialeah Educational Academy High School successfully completed its 15th year of operation. While serving predominantly minority and economically disadvantaged students, the school projects over a 97% at-risk graduation rate in 2018. In addition, seniors enrolled in the Fire Academy graduated with CPR, First Responder and Emergency Vehicle Operator Certifications and the students in the Criminal Justice Academy graduated with Public Service Aid Certification. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at City of Hialeah Education Academy is 61 percent. The school offers 8 Dual Enrollment courses through partnerships with Miami-Dade College, Doral College, and Florida International University. In total 72% of our students participated in College and Career Acceleration programs.

In the spring of 2016, Principal Carlos O. Alvarez received the prestigious “Principal of the Year” Award and Mrs. Kristine Gonzalez received the “Office Staff of the Year Award” by the City of Hialeah as a testament to their dedication and service to the community. In previous years, the school has also been recognized by the City of Hialeah as “School of the Year” and several faculty members as “Students of the Year”.

The school also received national recognition by Newsweek Magazine, having received the U.S. News and World Report BEST High Schools Gold Award in 2018 and was ranked on The Daily Beast’s 2014 list of top high schools in the U.S. Moreover, in consideration of high free/reduced lunch levels, the school was also ranked among the most transformative  schools in the country.

The Educational Philosophy:

Student learning is a priority and the school’s core philosophy and underlying purpose is reflected in the following concepts: high expectations for students and teachers, creative endeavors as an integral part of the growth and development of all students, character development; increasing self-images as learners, parental involvement obligation; students who understand their learning styles and plan and monitor their learning; students and teachers’ accountability; and the concept that success breeds success.

Along with the requirements for middle and high school as required by the Department of Education of the State of Florida, students will focus on a particular are of study throughout their middle and high school years. The students will receive exposure to a career field of their choice, while benefitting from a vocational or college-prep curriculum whereby as graduates they will be prepared to compete in and contribute to a global economy. Upon entering in the 9th grade students must elect the academy of their choice and are only eligible to switch academies once.

 Students receive career counseling and guidance as they progress through the year to allow their high school course to be tailored to suit their intended career pathways. Each program will offer guest lecturers, worksite visits and an overview of the skills and training required along with the development of leadership and technological skills to best prepare them for the career track they have chosen.

The career oriented public service academies are:

• Criminal Justice
• Fire Fighter 
• Health Sciences
• Law and Legal Studies
• Mass Communications
• Collegiate