The show has been franchised to other countries: Azerbaijan (Akademiya), Malaysia (Akademi Fantasia), Indonesia (Akademi Fantasi Indosiar), Thailand (Academy Fantasia) and The United States (La Academia USA).

Each year, 14-21 people were selected to live together in a house isolated from the rest of the world, spending their days taking classes in singing, dancing, acting, and related fields, each preparing one or two songs for a 3-hour concert which they give each Sunday evening for TV viewers and a live studio audience. Each week, one of the students is eliminated until 4 to 6 students become the finalists and compete for the top prize-3 million Mexican pesos, but the award has changed in each generation since the third. Students are eliminated based on the number of votes each receives. Whom ever receives the fewest votes during at the end of the week (the votes are stopped at the end of the concert) is eliminated. Viewers can vote by telephone, but calls are not free.

Each vote costs over 25 Mexican pesos (around US $2.50). From the sixth generation, voting is by text message with costs 3 Mexican pesos.

Camino a la Fama airs during weekday afternoons. This show tapes what the students' lives within the La academia house. It also demonstrates the singing, dancing, and acting classes.

All the shows, the concerts and the summaries were originally hosted by Alan Tacher during the first four seasons and part of La Academia USA (later replaced by Maestro Beto for two concerts and then Fernando del Solar). La Academia 5 was hosted by Monica Garza and La Academia 6 & 7 by Rafael Araneda, with Ingrid Coronado joining as co-host for the seventh season.

For the entire franchise contestant summary go to La Academia Franchise Contestants

La Academia began on July 7, 2002. Fourteen were selected to be part of the first generation, and Alan Tacher was selected to host. The National Auditorium in Mexico City served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received a Coca-Cola touring contract, a world-wide trip, a brand new Chevrolet Trail Blazer and the top prize: MN$2.5 million and a recording contract.

Miguel Ángel, Myriam, Nadia, Victor and Yahir reached the finale held on December 1, 2002. Myriam Montemayor Cruz was declared the winner of La Academia.

The Second Generation was presented at the final concert of the First Generation on December 1, 2002. Once again, the National Auditorium in Mexico City served as the setting for the final concert, where the winner received the top prize of MN$2.5 million and a recording contract.

Freddi, Manuel, Marco, Rosalía and Érika reached the finale held on March 30, 2003. Érika Alcocer Luna was declared the second winner of La Academia.