Many people do not know that the world’s first full-time, zoo-based school was The Zoo Academy, a high school for 50 high school juniors and seniors at the Cincinnati Zoo. Founded in 1976, this college prep program prepares students both for college and a career with wildlife. Each day students spend 2 hours working with keepers out in the Cincinnati Zoo, and 5 hours in class.
Many of the graduates of The Zoo Academy have gone on to careers in zoo keeping, veterinary medicine, and horticulture. And today, the program is part of the Cincinnati Public Schools STEM school initiative, preparing students for careers of the future.
