Course Offerings

AVID I (0660AB)

The 9th grade AVID Elective course will serve as a review of the AVID philosophy and strategies. Students will work on academic and personal goals, communication, and adjusting to the high school setting. Students will increase awareness of their personal contributions to their learning, as well as their involvement in their school and community. There is an emphasis on analytical writing, focusing on personal goals and thesis writing. Students will work in collaborative settings, learning how to participate in collegial discussions and use sources to support their ideas and opinions. Students will prepare for and participate in college entrance and placement exams, while refining study skills and test‐taking, note‐taking, and research techniques. They will take an active role in field trips and guest speaker preparations and presentations. Their college research will include financial topics and building their knowledge of colleges and careers of interest.

AVID II (0661AB)

During the 10th grade AVID Elective course, students will refine the AVID strategies to meet their independent needs and learning styles. Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals, increasing awareness of their actions and behaviors. As students increase the rigorous course load and school/community involvement, they will refine their time management and study skills accordingly. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include: analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis and detailed reflections. Students will also analyze various documents, in order to participate in collaborative discussions and develop leadership skills in those settings. Students will expand their vocabulary use, continuing to prepare for college entrance exams. Text analysis will focus on specific strategies to understand complex texts. Lastly, students will narrow down their college and careers of interest, based on personal interests and goals.

AVID III (0671AB)

During the 11th grade AVID Elective course, students will refine the AVID strategies to meet their independent needs and learning styles. Students will continue to refine and adjust their academic learning plans and goals, increasing awareness of their actions and behaviors. As students increase the rigorous course load and school/community involvement, they will refine their time management and study skills accordingly. Students will expand their writing portfolio to include: analyzing prompts, supporting arguments and claims, character analysis and detailed reflections. Students will also analyze various documents, in order to participate in collaborative discussions and develop leadership skills in those settings. Students will expand their vocabulary use, continuing to prepare for college entrance exams. Text analysis will focus on specific strategies to understand complex texts. Lastly, students will narrow down their college and careers of interest, based on personal interests and goals.

AVID IV (0664AB)

The AVID Elective 12th grade course is the second part in a junior/senior seminar course that focuses on writing and critical thinking expected of first‐ and second‐year college students. This course continues around the theme of “Leadership as a Catalyst for Change in Society.” Students will complete a final research essay project from research conducted in their junior year in AVID. In addition to the academic focus of the AVID senior seminar, there are college‐bound activities, methodologies and tasks that should be achieved during the senior year that support students as they apply to four‐year universities and confirm their postsecondary plans. All AVID seniors are required to develop and present a portfolio representing their years of work in the AVID program, as well as complete the requirements for the seminar course. The AVID Senior Seminar (AVID IV) is the culmination of a student's years in the AVID program and involves substantial critical reading and writing, and preparation for external exams. Students receive assistance in completing their college and financial aid/scholarship applications. In addition, students will make oral presentations to the class on topics related to college entrance, contemporary issues, and social concerns.

AP Computer Science A (2142AB)

AP Computer Science A is designed for qualified students in grades 10 - 12 who wish to complete the equivalent of a college introductory course in computer science. The course will focus on programming methodology, and procedural abstraction. It also includes the study of algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction, but covered in less depth than in the Computer Science III AB course. The course follows the College Board AP® Computer Science A Curriculum Framework. Students must be scheduled into two of the following three course numbers for this course: 2142 AB for an elective credit, M2142 AB for a math credit, and WL2142 AB for a LOTE credit. Students will be awarded two credits for successful completion of this course.

OnRamps Computer Science 1 (2159AB)

Thriving in Our Digital World is a new dual enrollment course that teaches computer science principles, a set of core ideas that shapes the landscape of computer science and its impact on our society. In addition to learning about the magic and beauty of computing, students will acquire essential Texas College and Career Readiness skills, applying critical thinking, problem solving, and communication within a project-based learning framework. Students will experience high-quality curriculum designed by the faculty at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). Students can earn three hours of UT credit with feedback and assessment provided by UT course staff. OnRamps works through a dual-enrollment model. Using a hybrid delivery approach, students meet rigorous university-level college readiness standards and have the opportunity to earn UT Austin credit from a UT faculty member and high school credit from their local teacher.

Honors Principles of Applied Engineering (STH36202AB)

Honors Engineering Design & Presentation I (STH36502AB)

Engineering Design and Presentation I is a continuation of knowledge and skills learned in Principles of Applied Engineering. Students enrolled in this course will demonstrate knowledge and skills of the design process as it applies to engineering fields using multiple software applications and tools necessary to produce and present working drawings, solid model renderings, and prototypes. Students will use a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects. Through implementation of the design process, students will transfer advanced academic skills to component designs. Additionally, students explore career opportunities in engineering, technology, and drafting and what is required to gain and maintain employment in these areas. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Engineering Design & Problem Solving (STH37302AB)

The Engineering Design and Problem Solving course is the creative process of solving problems by identifying needs and then devising solutions. The solution may be a product, technique, structure, or process depending on the problem. Science aims to understand the natural world, while engineering seeks to shape this world to meet human needs and wants. Engineering design takes into consideration limiting factors or "design under constraint." Various engineering disciplines address a broad spectrum of design problems using specific concepts from the sciences and mathematics to derive a solution. The design process and problem solving are inherent to all engineering disciplines. This course satisfies a high school science graduation requirement. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Paid Practicum in STEM (STH37409AB)

This practicum course is a paid capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technical education courses within their designated program of study. This course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience. A student must be a minimum age of 16 and hold valid work documentation, such as a Social Security card, to enroll in any of the practicum learning experiences. In order to receive course credit, this course requires that students make a full year commitment to this course and their employment, must have related classroom instruction that averages one class period per week during the school year, are employed for ten (10) hours per week (or average of 20 hours across two weeks) at an approved site within ten days of the beginning of the course. Work hours can be included during the school day or outside of school hours. If work hours are during the school day, students can be scheduled for work release (noncredit) periods to work as long as work release does not jeopardize students’ projected graduation plan. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Unpaid Practicum in STEM (STH37402AB)

This practicum course is an unpaid capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technical education courses within their designated program of study. This course is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience. In addition, students in this honors course will complete a project using the five phases of project management used in the business and industry environment. Practicum capstone experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experiences such as independent study, assistantships, mentorships, or laboratories. The various in-class capstone experiences include students working in a simulated environment, running an enterprise, or be involved in program-specific local projects the school has approved for this class. Additional capstone experiences also include students being selected to be a part of a work-based experience or industry training off-site, outside of school. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors CTE Project-Based Capstone (CPH01500AB)

Students will research a real-world problem and possible solutions throughout this course. Students develop a project on a topic related to career interests, use scientific methods of investigation to conduct in-depth research, are matched with a mentor from the business or professional community, compile findings, and present their findings to an audience that includes experts in the field. This course must be cooperatively planned and supervised by the teacher ensuring that the student has guidance and support of a mentor or interdisciplinary team. The district must maintain a written project plan for each student enrolled in the course.

Honors Robotics I (STH37002AB)

In Robotics I, students will transfer academic skills to component designs in a project-based environment through implementation of the design process. Students will build prototypes or use simulation software to test their designs. Additionally, students will explore career opportunities, employer expectations, and educational needs in the robotic and automation industry. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Robotics II (STH37003AB)

In Robotics II, students will explore artificial intelligence and programming in the robotic and automation industry. Through implementation of the design process, students will transfer academic skills to component designs in a project-based environment. Students will build prototypes and use software to test their designs. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Independent Study in Technology Applications - Competitive Robotics 1 (2144AB)

This course is designed for qualified students in grades 10 - 12 who wish to complete the equivalent of a college introductory course in computer science. The course will focus on programming methodology and procedural abstraction. It also includes the study of algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction covered in substantial depth. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Independent Study in Technology Applications - Competitive Robotics 2 (2146AB)

This course is designed for qualified students in grades 10 - 12 who wish to complete the equivalent of a college introductory course in computer science. The course will focus on programming methodology and procedural abstraction. It also includes the study of algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction covered in substantial depth. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Independent Study in Technology Applications - AP Networking (2148AB)

This course is designed for qualified students in grades 10 - 12 who wish to complete the equivalent of a college introductory course in computer science. The course will focus on programming methodology and procedural abstraction. It also includes the study of algorithms, data structures, and data abstraction covered in substantial depth. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in the honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.

Honors Entrepreneurship (MKH34401AB)

Honors Money Matters (FN16201AB)

In Money Matters, students will investigate money management from a personal financial perceptive. Students will apply critical-thinking skills to analyze financial options based on current and projected economic factors. Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to establish short-term and long-term financial goals. Students will examine various methods of achieving short-term and long-term financial goals through various methods such as investing, tax planning, asset allocating, risk management, retirement planning, and estate planning. In addition to the regular course curriculum, students in this honors course will complete additional projects and activities related to the program of study.