In RISD, course selection is more than just a schedule—it’s the opportunity to design students’ future. Our district provides a vast selection of specialized paths, allowing every student to build a unique academic identity tailored to their specific passions, post-secondary, and professional goals.
Students in grades 5 (Lake Highlands Learning Community) & 6-11 (Districtwide) are gearing up to make important decisions about what courses they will take for the 2026-27 school year, and will have access to resources to help navigate the process.
Your student’s counselor, no matter the grade level, serves as a personal guide through their academic journey. They are ready to partner with you to ensure your child isn’t just checking boxes, but is actively gaining a competitive advantage for post-secondary plans, university admission, and beyond.
The big picture: Course selection deadlines and requirements vary by grade level, and families are encouraged to explore our Chart Your Course website and your student’s campus website and newsletter.
Key details by grade level:
Middle School / Junior High
- Future 6th grade: Students in the Lake Highlands learning community will get to choose regular or advanced core courses and select one elective (band, orchestra, choir & art) to take in middle school.
- Future 7th-8th grades: Choose from expanded electives like CTE introduction courses, AVID, fine arts, world languages & athletics. Future 8th graders can also choose to enroll in high school credit courses.
- Future 9th Graders: This is where your vision becomes a reality. The Personal Graduation Plan you developed this fall is your custom four-year roadmap—a strategy that transforms your interests into professional expertise. Whether you’re diving into Arts & Humanities, launching a career through our PTECH Academies, mastering high-demand skills in a CTE pathways, or building leadership in JROTC, you aren’t just picking classes—you’re choosing your trajectory.
High School
Future 9th-12th grades: Choose regular, advanced, or AP level core courses, and consider options to earn college credit or certifications.
The RISD Advantage: College & Career Ready Why wait for graduation to start your future? Our students gain a competitive edge through:
- College Credits & Degrees: Earn Associate Degrees and credits via UT Austin and Dallas College.
- Industry Certifications: Graduate with professional credentials in high-demand fields.
- Expert Coaching: Beyond their dedicated School Counselor, every high school has a College & Career Advisor to curate their portfolio and master the college application process.
- Find more information at these links: PTECH Academies, CTE pathways, & JROTC
What’s next:
- Deadline: February 13th, 2026, for all course selection. Please note individual campuses may have earlier deadlines.
- Resources:
- Check out your student’s campus website and newsletters for important information and resources about pre-registration dates and resources.
- Our Chart Your Course website has junior high, middle school, & high school course catalogs as well as graduation requirements.
Please note that selecting courses does not constitute enrollment for the 2026-27 school year. To complete the enrollment process in PowerSchool please go visit our Enrollment website. You’ll find important deadlines, information and required documents on this website.
If you have any further questions or need more information please reach out to your student’s counselor.
