Students in Northside’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs spend much of their time learning through a hands-on approach that prepares students for occupations and further study. CTE programs are available in middle school and high school and are available in many career areas of interest to students. Students interested in a particular field can look at the coherent sequence of courses to see the courses that will help them prepare for their chosen careers. Students may also wish to choose an academy or magnet school designed to prepare students for careers. Northside’s career oriented high schools and middle school magnet schools include Agriculture Academy, Construction Careers Academy, Health Careers High School, Jay Science and Engineering Academy, Jones STEM Middle School, Marshall Law & Medical Services High School, NSITE (Northside School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship), and Zachry Global Communication, Information Technology & Cybersecurity Middle School. Industry recognized certifications may be earned in some 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 or counselor.
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.
Programs of Study
In support of the State of Texas’ college and career planning initiative, NISD has developed multiple Programs of Study (POS) which combine rigorous academics and relevant career and technical education to create a plan of study that has real focus and purpose for students. A POS consists of a recommended coherent sequence of courses based on the student’s interest, skills, and college and career goals and provides the student and his/her family with a seamless transition to employment and/or postsecondary education and to higher wage, higher skill, and higher demand jobs in the workforce.
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 offers 8 high school and 3 middle school magnet programs for students interested in specific career fields. All high school magnet schools (except for Health Careers High School) operate as a school-within-a-school, which allows students to participate in Fine Arts programs like band, choir and orchestra, sports, and clubs and organizations on their comprehensive high school’s campus. All Northside eighth graders are eligible for enrollment. Applications are also being accepted for students outside Northside ISD. Please check with individual programs for application and age requirements. Enrollment is limited at each school. Transportation will be provided for eligible students.
Staff Contacts
Contact information for the NISD Career & Technical Education department staff can be found here.
Student Organizations for CTE
Career and Technical Student Organizations are comprised of 11 not-for-profit organizations, specifically authorized by the U.S. Congress in the Perkins Act which provides approximately $1.1 billion in state grants for CTE programs.
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.