HONOLULU (AP) — Waipahu High School is giving students a head start on engineering by starting a new nationally accredited engineering program on campus.

The Oahu school's Academy of Engineering aims to fully prepare students for college-level studies in science, technology, engineering and math.

The academy is the first in Hawaii to be accredited by the National Academy Foundation. There are 68 other engineering academies around the country.

Officials from the University of Hawaii, the Honolulu rail authority, a construction company and other businesses and organizations will serve on the academy's Advisory Board.

Waipahu High dedicated the academy in a ceremony on Thursday.

Waipahu has three other academies focusing on finance, information technology and hospitality and tourism.