District officials presented new academic, elective and career and technical education (CTE) courses for the 2025-26 school year at a Dec. 16 board of trustees meeting. Three of the courses requiring board approval were adopted by the board.
The overview
Beginning in August, the district will begin offering Advanced Placement Human Geography for ninth grade students. The course will replace Honors World Geography and allow students to take an AP course their freshman year, said Susan Cole, executive director of teaching and learning.
The district will continue its Advancement Via Individual Determination program by offering AVID II for tenth grade students next school year. LHISD began offering the AVID I course this school year to prepare ninth grade students for college readiness and success.
Additionally, the district will adopt a Team Sports Officiating course that can fulfill a physical education credit for high school students. By taking the course, students can become certified and receive compensation for officiating various sports games, Cole said.
At the middle school level, the district will allow eighth grade students to earn a high school fine arts credit by taking Art I. The change will let students explore more CTE courses throughout high school, Chief of Schools Travis Motal said.
The district will no longer offer OnRamps Pre-Calculus as more students have opted to take AP Pre-Calculus, Cole said.
What else?
LHISD adopted the following new CTE courses by high school campus:
Legacy Ranch High School
- Principles of Architecture
- Graphic Design and Illustration I
- Practicum in AFNR: Floral Design
- Practicum in Audio/Video Production
- Practicum in Marketing: Real Estate
- Practicum of Entrepreneurship
Did you know
Students may receive industry-based certifications in various areas of study through taking CTE courses.
The district provides transportation for students who want to participate in a specialized program offered at another campus, Motal said.
Something to note
The board approved three new innovative courses, including AVID II, Team Sports Officiating and Practicum of Entrepreneurship.
These innovative courses allow districts to provide courses outside of the state-required curriculum, according to the Texas Education Agency.
