As a part of LISD’s Long Range Facilities Plan, schools of choice are public schools that offer specialized educational opportunities and are designed to meet the needs of student interests throughout the district.
Schools of choice provide equitable access for all students; develop varied educational opportunities; and maximize utilization of school facilities, transportation and other resources.
District officials received 263 respondents in the community survey, and 2,512 fourth and fifth graders completed the student questionnaire.
Based on weighted average results from both community and student feedback, the following schools of choice were prioritized from highest to lowest: a science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, high school; a K-8 fine arts school; a school of design; a health professions high school; a school of international business; a Ready, Set, Teach academy; and a K-5 mastery-based learning school.
Survey results will serve as contextual information for the board of trustees and the Long-Range Planning Committee as they work to develop a 10-year facility plan for LISD, according to district documents.
Existing LISD schools of choice offerings include the Early College High School—which serves ninth grade—New Hope High School for grades 11 and 12, and the K-8 Virtual Learning Academy.
“It’s great to hear from our community and know that the voice of our students was also captured through the survey process,” Board President Trish Bode said at the meeting. “This schools of choice topic is still in its preliminary stages, so it’s important for our community to stay engaged and continue to give us feedback through the process.”
