Excellence Celebrated: Communication and Media Arts High School Academy of Digital Media Arts and Journalism Earns Prestigious National “Katherine Blasik Distinguished” Recognition

Communication and Media Arts Academy of Digital Media Arts and Journalism of the Detroit Public School Community District has been awarded NAF’s Katherine Blasik Distinguished level recognition for 2026 – NAF’s highest level of achievement. This includes academies that have reached this level more than once and new academies joining the roster for the first time.

This designation is given to a select cohort who have reached Katherine Blasik Distinguished level on NAF’s annual assessment, exhibiting strong fidelity to a design that prepares students for success in college and careers. Katherine Blasik Distinguished level is determined by an academy’s score on the assessment, which measures strengths and challenges in implementing NAF’s results-driven design. Site visits, hosted virtually this year, were conducted to verify academy scores for those new to Katherine Blasik Distinguished.

This assessment provides a roadmap for academies to evaluate their progress and advance on the continuum of NAF’s standards.

NAF academies integrate rigorous, industry-aligned curricula and hands-on learning experiences – such as internships and employer engagements – within the regular school day to prepare students for their next steps after high school. They also develop transferable skills, discover their interests, and connect learning to real careers.

NAF Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Dughi, said, "Congratulations to all of our Katherine Blasik Distinguished and NAF Model academies, and especially to this year’s first-time honorees! Your commitment to preparing students for successful futures is not only changing lives but also setting the standard for excellence across the NAF Network."

“This recognition celebrates the incredible teamwork that drives our academy’s success,” said Scott Conwell. “Our students, teachers, business, and community partners make this achievement possible every day.”

Communication and Media Arts High School’s Academy of Digital Media Arts and Journalism is part of NAF, a national education nonprofit that brings real-world careers into public high schools – connecting students to industry and hands-on learning, so they graduate prepared for college, careers, and upward mobility.