Public Safety Academy

The Public Safety Academy is one of Wake County Public School System's Career Academies. The Academy is a learning community focused on careers in the Public Safety Career Cluster. Public Safety material is integrated into students’ studies, including their core curriculum courses. Each year the same group (cohort) of academy students take a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course aligned with the career theme, as well as one or more core classes together in a school-within-a-school model. These courses develop and guide interested students toward a career in public safety through academics, personal development and in-depth education while preparing them to be college and career ready.

Each academy student participates in several work-based learning activities such as job shadowing, career fairs, career-themed industry tours and a 120 hour internship in their senior year. Academy students are prepared to participate in these experiences through the cohorted academy courses. Each academy student is required to do a 120 hour internship between the junior and senior year that relates to the academy theme. Our students have the opportunity to work with Public Safety entities from all across Wake County, Johnston County, and the state. 

Students complete career academy requirements during the regular school day, with the exception of work internships. Career Academy students may also participate in required and elective classes outside of the career academy, as well as other activities such as clubs and athletics. We recommend students be an active member of SkillsUSA. 

Career academy students normally take a mix of two or three career academy courses each year and the rest are academic or other elective courses. The Public Safety Academy courses are designed to give students the opportunity to obtain required industry-recognized certifications. The certifications we offer are from NC OEMS, NC OSFM, NC Emergency Management, and FEMA. With successful completion of the certifications, students will be able to obtain a job the day they graduate. We encourage our students to go to a 4-year college/university, Community/ Technical College, or look straight into a Public Safety career.  

Career Options

Available Jobs in the Public Safety Career Cluster

• Firefighter
• Emergency Medical Technician
• Law Enforcement Officer
• Emergency Management
• Security Guard
• Corrections Officer
• Law-Paralegal, Lawyer

Who Can Enroll?

All rising 9th or 10th graders are eligible to enroll in the Public Safety Academy. Rising Sophomores need a “B” (2.5 or higher) GPA. Teacher recommendations are also considered when applying.

Students who are admitted to the career academy will begin taking an entry-level career/academic cohort class to show the applications of academics in real-world situations. After investigating their career interests and completing an entry-level career academy course, students agree to commit to the career academy for the remainder of their academic career at GMHS. This commitment culminates in an internship upon their senior year at a local Public Safety entity to demonstrate their career readiness. 

Career and Technical Student Organizations

Career and technical student organizations are much more than clubs. They provide opportunities for hands-on learning, and for applying career, leadership, and personal skills in real-world environments. Participants build their skills by developing projects, attending events, and competing regionally and nationally against other high school students from across the state and nation. 

The student organization for the Public Safety Career Cluster is SkillsUSA.  

Education After High School

It is a fact that young people who have at least one year of post-high school education earn thousands of dollars more a year. So, if you spend even one year at a two-or-four-year college, in a certificate program at a technical school, or in an apprenticeship after you graduate from high school, you will very likely earn higher wages all your life. By furthering your education, you will be better-prepared to successfully navigate the world of work.

After successfully completing EMT l & ll (Senior Year), students are eligible to sit for the NC EMT certification test through the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services. (NC OEMS)

After successfully completing Firefighter Technology I,II,& III, students will only need three (3) additional FIP modules to obtain the NC Firefighter certification through the NC Office of State Fire Marshall. (NC OSFM)

After successfully completing Public Safety II students have the opportunity to obtain Emergency Dispatching certifications. 

You could pursue any number of opportunities including:

• On-the-job training as a firefighter, or EMT
• Further your college degree in fire science
• A four-year college degree in law, corrections management, legal management, government, criminal justice, criminal psychology, public safety or national security