Students in Northside’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs spend their time learning through a hands-on approach that prepares students for occupations and further study. CTE programs are available in all middle schools and high schools and offer programs of study in many career areas of interest. In addition, all NISD Magnet Schools are CTE program focused.
Students interested in a career cluster can look at the campus programs of study courses to see what is available and will help them prepare for their chosen careers. Students may also wish to choose an academy or magnet school designed for a deeper program experience. Northside’s career oriented high schools and middle school magnets include Agriculture Science and Technology Academy, CAST Teach High School, Communications Arts High School, Construction Careers Academy, Health Careers High School, Hobby Health Science Middle School Magnet, Jay Science and Engineering Academy, Jones STEM Middle School Magnet, Jordan Multimedia and Design Middle School Magnet, Marshall Law & Medical Services High School, NSITE (Northside School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship, and Zachry Global Communication, Information Technology & Cybersecurity Middle School Magnet.
Industry recognized certifications may be earned in many courses & some courses may even allow the students to earn college credit. Any student who is interested should talk with his or her CTE instructor, visit the NISD course catalog or counselor.
Campus CTE Sites
Each NISD High School and Middle School campus offers a variety of CTE programs. Please visit the individual campus CTE websites for more information on these programs.
Career Exploration
All secondary students can access their Choices360 account through their NISD Portal. Choices360 helps students and families with career and post secondary planning. Included within Choices360 are tools for career and college exploration.
College Credit Opportunities
High school students can earn college credits by signing up for CTE dual credit. Some courses are offered at specific campuses and others are offered at the college campus. Information about earning college credits may be obtained from the school’s counseling department.
▸ View College Credit Opportunities
Programs of Study
NISD offers multiple CTE Programs of Study (POS) which combine rigorous academics and relevant career and technical education courses that create a plan of study with real-world focus and purpose for students. These programs of study consist of required courses based on the student’s interest and skills with opportunities to earn aligned industry certifications. Focused CTE programs provide students with a seamless transition to employment and/or postsecondary education.
Comprehensive Middle School CTE Courses
Industry Based Certifications
Northside offers students many opportunities to earn current industry based certifications through our CTE courses. These certifications will help students, as they exit high school, with gainful employment or assist in continuing their education.
Magnet Programs
Northside ISD offers 8 high school and 4 middle school magnet programs focused on specific career fields, with most magnets operating as a school-within-a-school so students can still participate in Fine Arts, athletics, and student organizations at the comprehensive campus. All NISD fifth and eighth graders, as well as students from outside the district are eligible to apply. Magnet enrollment is limited and may vary by program. Transportation is available for eligible students.
Student Organizations for CTE
13 Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are nonprofit groups authorized under the Perkins Act to support career and technical education. Congress provides approximately $1.4 billion annually in federal grants to states to fund CTE programs, including CTSO activities.
Staff Contacts
Contact information for the NISD Career & Technical Education department staff can be found here.
Nondiscrimination Notice for CTE
Northside Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Assistant Superintendent of High School Administration, Kara Trevino, at 5900 Evers Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, (210) 397-8639, and/or Director of Section 504 Jocelyn Dudney at 5651 Grissom Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, (210) 397-8741.
El Distrito Escolar Independiente Northside no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, edad o discapacidad en sus programas o actividades y brinda igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos juveniles designados. La siguiente persona ha sido designada para atender consultas respecto a las políticas de no discriminación: la Superintendente Auxiliar de Administración de Escuelas Secundarias (High Schools), Kara Trevino, en 5900 Evers Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, (210) 397-8639, y/o la Directora de la Sección 504, Jocelyn Dudney, en 5651 Grissom Road, San Antonio, TX 78238, (210) 397-8741.