The curriculum of the Science & Engineering Academy is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in science, math, technology or engineering. Students must meet a number of specific qualifications in order to attend the Science & Engineering Academy, and satisfactory behavior, conduct, attendance and academic progress is mandatory for continued enrollment. Due to outside contact with engineering and scientific professionals, future employers, and the general public, a higher standard of appearance is expected for all Science & Engineering Academy students than what may be expected at a traditional high school. The Science & Engineering Academy has additional academic requirements including earning three credits of the same international language, taking additional academic electives and completing a qualified academic research project every school year.

All SEA students complete at least one academic research project each year. Freshmen and sophomores are required to do a science or engineering project for competition at the annual school-wide fair. Students have additional choices as juniors and seniors. Rather than a science or engineering project, students may elect to submit a history fair project for competition, complete the ACE Mentor program, or successfully complete an Independent Study Mentorship (ISM) class. In all cases the work of the students is evaluated by a panel of experts in the field of study.

Developing, implementing, and presenting original research is a demanding task. SEA teachers support students in producing an excellent project and give feedback. Although academic research can be challenging, it provides students with tremendous benefits.

Students currently attending a Northside ISD middle school should submit their application to their
middle school counselor prior to the deadline set by each specific school