All 10 of Bloomberg Philanthropies-sponsored healthcare high schools are now under construction or have welcomed their first cohorts of students.
The first-of-its-kind initiative was announced by Bloomberg in January 2024. The philanthropy distributed $250 million across 10 health systems and school partnerships operating in 10 rural and urban communities.
The schools offer a specialized healthcare curriculum that allows students to earn industry-valued credentials and certifications alongside their high school diplomas. Upon graduation, students can continue their education or directly enter the workforce. Collectively, these partnerships planned to serve nearly 6,000 students.
Nearly two years later, all but one school has welcomed its inaugural class. Here’s the latest updates for each partnership.
Atrium Health (Charlotte, N.C.)
Education partner: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Atrium has expanded its existing Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences — a partnership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Carolinas College — to provide four pathways to healthcare careers. The high school allows students to participate in dual enrollment at Carolinas College of Health Sciences, where they can earn an associate degree in general science or applied science alongside their high school diploma.
The school is accepting 100 students per cohort and provides tracks in healthcare simulation, neurodiagnostic technology, nursing and radiologic technology.
Ballad Health (Johnson City, Tenn.)
Education partner: Northeast Tennessee Public Schools (six sites)
Ballad Health Academy launched this fall in Tennessee schools. It offers a prepractical nurse training program that allows students to finish school with a certified nursing assistant and/or licensed practical nursing credential. Participants of the program are guaranteed job interviews with Ballad upon graduation.
The program was launched in partnership with several community colleges, Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technologies, career technical education centers and six local school districts.
Baylor Scott & White Health (Dallas)
Education partner: Uplift Education
Baylor Scott and Uplift Education launched the Uplift Heights Healthcare Institute in Dallas 2024. Uplift Heights students choose from specialized tracks — biomedical science, nursing, healthcare therapeutic services or healthcare operations — and can earn certifications such as certified medical assistant or phlebotomist. The program includes simulation labs and mentorship from Baylor Scott & White professionals, as well as dual-credit opportunities through universities in the area.
The program expanded to Uplift Grand, a public, college-preparatory charter school in Grand Prairie, Texas, this fall.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Education partner: Mastery Schools
The Health Institute at Hardy welcomed its first cohort of students in September. The institute, located within Hardy Williams High School in Philadelphia, offers pathways in clinical care, hospital operations and healthcare administration.
The Mastery School educates students from seventh through 12th grade, and has enrolled 695 students.
Duke Health (Durham, N.C.)
Education partner: Durham Public Schools
The Durham Early College of Health Sciences welcomed its inaugural ninth-grade class of 105 students in August. The school is tuition-free and offers tracks in nursing, surgical technology, allied health and clinical research. It is currently held at Research Triangle Park, but will eventually move to Durham Tech’s campus.
HCA Healthcare TriStar, Vanderbilt Health, Ascension and National HealthCare Corporation (Nashville, Tenn.)
Education partner: Nurses Middle College
NursesMC Nashville is a public charter high school dedicated to training students for nursing careers. It welcomed its inaugural class of 140 freshmen in August. By graduation, students will possess at least 12 college credits and a healthcare credential, such as certified nursing assistant, medical assistant or emergency medical technician.
The school received aid from HCA Healthcare affiliate TriStar Health and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. TriStar supports curriculum delivery and immersive learning. Graduates of the program are also eligible for tuition assistance at the HCA Healthcare-owned Galen College of Nursing.
Mass General Brigham (Boston)
Education partner: Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers (Boston Public Schools)
Mass General Brigham and Boston Public Schools launched its Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers in 2024. The healthcare high school includes pathways in surgery, medical imaging and biotechnology/medical lab science. Its goal is to enroll 800 students over five years, and had 115 students in its first freshman cohort.
For its first year of operations, the system has organized eight on-site visits and 15 guest-speaker events.
Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston)
Education partner: Aldine Independent School District
The Health Education and Learning high school has entered its second year of operations. Each student chooses one of five healthcare pathways — nursing, pharmacy, physical and occupational therapy, medical imaging or nonclinical administration — and works toward earning an industry-recognized certification by graduation.
The first class of freshmen started with 152 students and about 20 new students joined the sophomore cohort for the 2025-26 school year. Next year’s incoming class has 190 slots available, and has received over 250 applications.
The program is supported by 32 teachers that teach the core content, as well as electives like fine arts and sports. Six Memorial Hermann staff members are also regular faces in the classroom, helping students connect their education to real-world application.
Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.)
Education partner: New York City Public Schools
Northwell School of Health Sciences began its inaugural classes in September. The school offers four tracks in pre-nursing that result in licensed practical nurse credentials, medical assisting, behavioral and mental health, and healthcare management.
The school has been met with enthusiasm, with over 2,000 applications received for the 230 slots available for the inaugural class.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System and other state health systems and hospitals
Education partner: State of Alabama
Whitfield Regional Hospital and its partner, the state of Alabama, broke ground Oct. 14 on its Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences in Demopolis. It is the last school to begin construction.
The $26.4 million healthcare high school will welcome an inaugural freshman class of up to 100 students, who will begin at a temporary campus until the school officially opens in August 2027. The career pathways and curricula are still in development, but faculty, staff and student recruitment is set to begin this fall.
