CTE For All

How CTE Works at WCSD

Washoe County School District's "CTE for All" model makes high-quality Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs accessible to students across all of our traditional high schools.

How Students Get Involved

Our two Career Academies—Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT) and Debbie Smith Career & Technical Academy—have an application process for incoming 9th graders.
All other CTE programs follow each school's standard course registration process in the spring.

Trying a Course vs. Pursuing a Full Program

Students at their zoned high school can get involved in CTE in two ways:

Requesting a CTE course during regular course registration, the same way they'd sign up for any other class. This is a great way to explore an interest with no extra steps required.
Completing a CTE Program of Study Interest Form if a student intends to pursue a full, multi-year CTE pathway rather than just a single elective. This form helps counselors and CTE staff identify students on a program pathway so they can plan and register accordingly. Many students start by trying a single CTE course and go on to complete the full program after their first year.

There is no separate application required for a CTE program at a student's zoned high school, the Interest Form simply helps confirm intent. Students interested in a CTE program at a high school outside their attendance zone must also apply through the School of Choice process (October 19–30, 2026) and complete that school's CTE Program of Study Interest Form.

CTE Program of Study Interest Forms by High School

High School	Interest Form
Damonte Ranch HS	Fill out form →
Galena HS	Fill out form →
Incline HS	Fill out form →
McQueen HS	Fill out form →
North Valleys HS	Fill out form →
Procter R. Hug HS	Fill out form →
Reed HS	Fill out form →
Reno HS	Fill out form →
Spanish Springs HS	Fill out form →
Sparks HS	Fill out form →
Wooster HS	Wooster does not have a standard CTE Program of Study Interest Form. Families interested in the Wooster IB program should contact IB Coordinator Jennifer Lienau directly at 775-321-3160.

Application Windows for 2026–27

AACT & Debbie Smith Career & Technical Academy
- Applications Open: August 24, 2026
- Applications Close: October 16, 2026
School of Choice (for non-CTE transfers)
- Applications Open: October 19, 2026
- Applications Close: October 30, 2026

Open Houses

Interested families are invited to tour our Career Academies and meet staff before applying:

Debbie Smith Career & Technical Academy: September 23, 5:30–6:30 PM, for families of 8th, 9th, and 10th graders. 2880 Sutro St, Reno
Academy of Arts, Careers & Technology (AACT): September 30, 5:30–6:30 PM, for families of 8th graders. 380 Edison Way, Reno

Not Sure Which Program Is Right for You?

Middle school students can take a short Career & CTE Interest Survey to explore which CTE pathways match their interests before applying.

Note: ACE High School (Academy for Career Education) has its own separate application timeline and is not part of the AACT/DSCTEA process above. Families interested in ACE should contact the school directly at 775-324-3900 or visit acehighschool.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changed in the 2025–26 school year?

Which schools will still have applications?

How will students get into CTE programs at other high schools?

Will programs like the "Reno Red House," "North Valleys CASE Center" "Spanish Springs Sports Medicine Academy," and "Reed Enterprise Project" still exist?

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.

What if my student wants to enroll in a CTE program at another traditional high school outside of our attendance zone?

You and your student would apply for a School of Choice variance within the established window of application. 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.

What if my student wants to enroll in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Wooster?

Washoe County School District offers more than 35 Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs of study across all of its comprehensive high schools.

CTE programs blend classroom instruction with hands-on work, leadership development, and career exploration. These 2 to 4-year programs are certified by the Nevada Department of Education, and maintain rigorous standards in quality curriculum, staff expertise, industry-standard equipment, and alignment with the workforce development needs of our local and regional economy. Students have opportunities to earn industry certifications and college credit while developing workplace readiness skills and connections with local businesses and organizations. Programs are offered in the following focus areas:

CTE Program Clusters