The Sacramento Police Department’s Criminal Justice and Public Service Academies help high school students connect classroom learning with leadership, service, and career exploration. The four-year programs serve more than 650 students in grades 9–12 across five Sacramento high schools, including students at Title I campuses.
A Four-Year Pathway to College and Careers
Structured as a school within a school, each academy creates a close-knit learning environment that integrates core academics with career technical education. Students explore public-safety and related careers through classroom speakers, mentoring, internships, job fairs, field trips, hands-on learning labs, academy-wide challenges, and scholarship opportunities.
Academy cadets are expected to meet meaningful standards for attendance, academic progress, conduct, uniform participation, and service. Each student completes 50 hours of community service per year, building responsibility and a stronger connection to Sacramento. Along the way, students practice teamwork, communication, problem-solving, professionalism, and leadership – skills that support success in college, military service, public service, and the broader workforce.
Opportunity With Lasting Impact
The Magnet Academy is both a youth-development program and a workforce-development investment. Students gain trusted adult relationships, exposure to future possibilities, and practical experiences that make education feel relevant. The academies report strong student retention with a 98% graduation rate; graduates have continued to college, military service, and employment, including roles within the Sacramento Police Department.
The Sacramento Police Foundation helps make these opportunities possible by supporting scholarships, uniforms, educational experiences, leadership activities, and other resources that enrich the academy experience. Community support ensures that students can participate fully and that financial limitations do not narrow their opportunity to learn, lead, and plan for the future.
