CTE For All

Starting in 2025–26, Washoe County School District will no longer have “Signature Academies.” Instead, all high schools will offer Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs as part of a “CTE for All” model.

Only our two Career Academies—the Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT) and the Debbie Smith Career & Technical Academy—will have an application process for incoming 9th graders.

At all other high schools, students can join CTE programs by signing up for them during their school’s regular course registration in the spring.

Yes, the “CTE for All” transition does not remove or eliminate CTE programs. Programs like these will continue to be offered at their schools. What’s changing is how students get into these programs. Instead of applying through the old “Signature Academy” process, students will simply select these programs during their school’s regular course registration period in the spring, whether they are in 8th grade preparing to transition to high school, or oftentimes if they are in high school as a freshman or sophomore depending on where they attend.

You and your student would apply for a School of Choice variance between October 13 and October 24, 2025. If accepted, your student would enroll in their high school of choice for the following school year. In the spring, they would register for the CTE program they wish to take, just as they would sign up for any other course. This same process will apply to the "Performing Arts Center" at Damonte Ranch High School, which houses a mix of a CTE program and non-CTE courses. 

Interested families should contact Wooster High School directly via IB Coordinator Jennifer Lienau, at 775-321-3160.