Shauna L. Mackintosh, vice principal at Kennedy Junior High School for the past two years, has been named staff assistant to help develop a school/business partnership between Granite School District and American Express.
The financial company and school district will cooperate to establish an academy in one of the local high schools. The goals of the academy will be to provide an enriched curriculum, plus practical experience, for students interested in learning more about careers in finance.American Express has academies in several states. The company provides curriculum for high school juniors and seniors, arranges summer internships in the community and provides other benefits for students selected for the program.
Briant J. Farnsworth, assistant superintendent, told district school board members Tuesday that four high schools have applied to pilot the program. They are Kearns, Taylorsville, Cyprus and Granger.
The school board has been interested in promoting school/business partnerships of the type represented by American Express' Academy.
Farnsworth has worked for several months with the company to plan for the Utah academy. The district committed to hiring a staff assistant as part of its contribution to the program.
Mackintosh said she welcomes the opportunity to do something she believes will be creative and innovative and provide a unique opportunity for many students.