Alongside the approval of 12 new courses for the 2026-27 school year, Katy ISD officials presented a new model of course selection to ensure students build academic pathways that align with graduation requirements, endorsements, college readiness and workforce opportunities.

“We’re moving into really working with our counselors to talk about some innovative academic advising ... to stretch beyond just this next year,” Emily Craig, assistant superintendent for secondary school leadership and support, said at the Dec. 8 board meeting.

What’s new?

Marisa Adams, coordinator of accountability and school improvement, said the district will roll out an “innovative” academic advising model to strengthen collaboration among counselors, college and career facilitators and campus administrators, including:

• Ensuring students meet graduation requirements through the Foundation High School Program, or 22 credits, with or without endorsements
• Supporting students in earning the state-recognized College, Career or Military Readiness, or CCMR, indicator
• Helping students identify advanced academics, career and technical education programs, electives, certifications and dual credit that align with their goals

Additionally, the board of trustees approved 12 new courses, including an underground detection program, based on department requests and career demand, officials said last month.

The timeline

Craig said the course-planning cycle includes:

• October-December: Curriculum teams finalize new and revised courses, which are then brought before the board.
• January: Courses are loaded into SchooLinks, Katy ISD’s planning and pathway platform.
• Feb. 2-March 17: Counselors meet one-on-one with every secondary student to finalize their plans. Students submit their choices in SchooLinks, and parents review and approve the four-year plan through their own MyKaty accounts.

In addition to selecting a three- or four-year plan through SchoolLinks, Craig said the platform also allows students to explore careers, take assessments and track graduation requirement progress.

Zooming out

Since the 2022-23 school year, KISD has grown from 77% to 83% students meeting the state’s CCMR metrics, with the majority met through college entrance exam scores and college preparation courses.

Additionally, almost a third of graduates receive an industry-based certification for the 2024-25 school year, with the district expanding options with the water utility and underground utility detection program at the Miller Career Technical Center and Raines Academy.

Moving forward

The district will host multiple in-person events for families to explore courses, pathways and postsecondary opportunities at the Miller Career and Technology Center preview nights Jan. 26 and Feb 18, officials said.