The Health Science Department at Homestead Senior High School offers three certification programs: Nursing Assistant, First Responder, and Practical Nursing.

The Practical Nursing Program at Homestead Senior High School was the first approved secondary program of its type in Florida, and is currently the only two-year high school nursing program in MDCPS. The graduates are eligible to take the examination to become Licensed Practical Nurses and begin an exciting career in health care. The Practical Nursing Program allows secondary students to receive specialized training while completing their high school requirements. It complements their academic achievements by offering honors credit for specific courses in the curriculum. In addition, ithas received accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), and for the past six years has matched or exceeded the national passage rate on the Florida State Board of Nursing Licensing Exam. From 2001 to 2004, the passage rate was 100%, with the 2006 graduates scored 100% as well. The Nursing Assistant is the entry level occupation for health care. This curriculum stresses skill competency and a humanistic approach to care-giving. The First Responder is part of a team that provides pre-hospital emergency care and transportation to the injured and sick. This curriculum combines academics with hands-on skills and case presentations/scenarios in order to perform error free emergency skills.

The Health Science Programs are excellent models for the School-To-Career initiatives leading to School Improvement. The major focus is Student Achievement through the promotion of high academic and behavioral standards. The classes are made up of smaller learning communities as two of the programs are governed by the Florida State Board of Nursing. The hospital facilities are our community partners, and allow our students the opportunity to apply their learning and critical thinking skills to make supervised workplace decisions. The curriculum focuses on higher achievement, promoting critical thinking, problem solving skills, communication, and cooperative learning. A percentage of the clinical grade is based on Curriculum Based Vocational Behaviors, which measures job related behaviors and personal qualities related to career preparation.

The shortage of nurses and allied health professionals has become a global crisis. South Florida has been identified as one of the most severely affected areas in the world. Our Health Science Programs are committed to life long learning for our students, and for our educators. Improvement of student achievement will improve nursing and health care achievement, an impact that will be felt positively now, and in the future, in South Florida.