DeSoto ISD Expands Academic Offerings

Academic choice enhances students’ excitement and engagement in their educational experiences, curriculum, and future interests. Creativity is an essential skill for scholars, and the experience of academic choice allows more meaningful learning via specialized programs designed to enhance and develop scholars’ skills, abilities, and interests.

With this in mind, DeSoto ISD is excited to announce special choice programming for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Choice Programs

DeSoto ISD will reintroduce EIGHT choice programs for the 2023-24 academic year. This will provide clear and robust educational choices for families in DeSoto and Glenn Heights.

The programs will offer a range of specializations across a wide variety of academic disciplines for K-12 scholars in the district.

Current and prospective DeSoto ISD families and scholars can visit DeSotoISD. org/CHOICE to learn more about these unique and special programs. The programs are as follows:

Amber Terrace Early Childhood Discovery & Design Academy

Amber Terrace Early Childhood

Discovery & Design Academy is for PK3 and PK4 scholars. This early childhood education program is designed to build a strong learning foundation rooted in literacy and numeracy with opportunities for arts, project-based learning, and STEM.

Woodridge Classical Arts and Humanities Academy

Woodridge Classical Arts and Humanities Academy is accepting applications from rising K-2nd graders who seek an arts- and humanitiesfocused elementary curriculum. Students will study and engage in the visual and performing arts, such as foundational drawing, painting, sculpture, dance, music, and theater, as well as study English/language arts, history, and cultural studies.

Curtistene S. McCowan Middle School Fine Arts Academy

CMMS Fine Arts Academy is for rising 6th grade scholars interested in the arts, who desire a multi-disciplinary arts experience rooted in art history, visual arts, and performing arts. At the CMMS Fine Arts Academy, scholars will have the opportunity to explore a range of arts along with the core academic curriculum to provide a well-rounded and holistic experience.

West Middle School Male Leadership Academy

WMS Male Leadership Academy is for 6th grade boys and is located on the DeSoto West Middle School campus. The school-within-a-school model will create a focused learning environment for adolescent male scholars, built on the concepts of personal pride, belongingness, brotherhood, and camaraderie. Iron sharpens iron, and the scholars in the WMS Male Leadership Academy will be positioned to soar.

Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy (KJTMA)

Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy is accepting applications from academically-inclined, K-7th grade scholars who are interested in STEM, specifically in aerospace and aviation. This setting honors the legacy of the school’s namesake and her brave pursuit of math-engineered space aviation during a time that required courage and an audacious spirit. These scholars will soar using project-based learning.

Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy

Ruby Young Personalized STEAM Academy is accepting applications for K-7th grade scholars interested in environmental science, horticulture, and agriculture. The Academy is supported by university and community partnerships. Imagine a world where students embark on learning adventures in nature, where science and tech come to life to sustain the world around them.

Early College High School

Early College High School is for 9th-12th grade scholars seeking opportunities in an academically accelerated, collegeaccess setting via a partnership with Dallas College-Cedar Valley campus. This program, which accepts applications for rising 9th grade scholars each year, provides high school students the opportunity to pursue college credit and obtain an associate degree at no cost.

K-5 Neighborhood Schools

In addition to these choice programs, DeSoto ISD is excited to continue to offer excellent experiences at each of the district’s neighborhood schools.

Neighborhood schools reflect the character, investment, partnership, and needs of the neighborhoods in which they reside. These schools are built on the premise of community and engagement, creating a space that feels like home where students and families find belonging and inclusion within the campus community.

• Frank Moates Elementary

• Cockrell Hill Elementary

• The Meadows Elementary

To learn more about DeSoto ISD choice and neighborhood schools, visit DeSotoISD.org/choice.