August 2020 will bring more choices for Irving middle school students with the expansion of the district’s Signature Studies program to all eight middle schools.  The dubbed “Futures Program” will provide sixth through eighth graders the opportunity to explore – at a young age – career pathways like aviation, veterinary sciences, architecture and floral design.  The classes will also give students the opportunity to earn high school credit in middle school.

Austin Middle School will be home to an aviation program, while Crockett and de Zavala will house architecture and biotechnology, respectively.  Students at Travis can delve into business, marketing and finance, and Houston students can explore construction and civil engineering.  Entrepreneurship will be offered at Johnson and Lamar, with Bowie housing floral design and veterinary sciences.  Wildlife conservation will round out the offerings at Bowie and de Zavala.

Giving students more academic options at the middle school level is an initiative that district leaders are excited to offer families.  “We are proud to bring more choices to our middle school students and their families,” stated Magda Hernandez, Irving ISD Superintendent of Schools. “The middle school years are pivotal years in a child’s education, and it is important to keep students excited and engaged. We believe by expanding our Signature Studies programs to the middle school level we will provide lucrative options for Irving families.”

In the spring, students will work with middle school counselors on their class schedules for the following year and can choose to enroll in one of the Signature Studies pathways. For questions about the “Futures Program,” parents can contact their child’s middle school counselor.

And, great news for elementary parents – more choices are on the horizon as the district plans to expand Signature Studies to the elementary level in August 2021.