This document presents guidelines and resource materials to assist individuals in planning career academies. Chapter 1 defines career academies as programs designed around the following key elements: (1) development and cultivation of a small learning community; (2) a college preparatory curriculum with a career theme; and (3) partnerships with employers, communities, and higher education. Chapter 2 examines reasons to start a career academy and challenges associated with career academies. Chapter 2, which examines the process of planning a career academy, presents a proposed taxonomy of industries and schedule of planning tasks and discusses the issues of related costs and sources of support. Chapter 4 details the roles and responsibilities of the following stakeholders: board of education, district superintendent, high school principal, other administrators, lead teachers and other teachers, counselors, employers, community representatives, higher education representatives, parents, and students. Chapter 5 outlines a process for evaluating career academies through the start-up, implementation and refinement, and full operation stages. Chapter 6 lists sources of additional help, including the following organizations and materials: the Career Academy Support Network's World Wide Web site and publications; 10 national and state career academy support organizations; 8 sources of career academy materials; and 9 relevant conferences. (Contains 14 references.) (MN)