The Fort Bend Independent School District will host its annual Academy Expo from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Oct.27, at Wheeler Field House, 16403 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land, adjacent to Mercer Stadium. The event will give current students in grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10 and their parents and/or guardians the opportunity to learn about the district’s current academy programs.
Academies are personalized, small learning communities that function within a larger secondary school setting with a mixture of career and academic classes offered to students. Enrollment of approximately 400 students is eventually anticipated for each academy. Students attending academies generally take more advanced courses in their areas of specialization and have the opportunity to earn college credit.
The district currently offers 11 comprehensive academy programs – two at the middle school level, and nine at the high school level. The current academies by school, program and enrollment grades include:
- Bush High School – International Business & Marketing Academy for current 8th grade students
- Clements High School – Global Languages Academy for current 8th grade students
- Dulles High School – Math & Science Academy for current 8th grade students
- Elkins High School – Engineering Academy for current 8th grade students
- Hightower High School – Medical Sciences Academy and Telecommunications & Electronic Media Academy for 8th grade students
- Marshall High School – International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for current 10th grade students (Current 8th and 9thgraders can apply to be Pre-Diploma candidate students.), and Electrical Engineering Academy for current 8th grade students
- Missouri City Middle School – International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Candidate Programme for current (2010-2011) 6th and 7th grade students
- Quail Valley Middle School – G/T Academy for current (2010-2011) 5th, 6th and 7th grade students
- Willowridge High School – Game Design & Development Academy for current 8th grade students
During the Academy Expo, representatives from each FBISD academy will present an overview of their academy and the unique opportunities available to students. Freshmen may still apply to academies during the fall of their ninth-grade year. Students and families who are unable to attend the Academy Expo may learn more about the Academy Programs by visiting the website at www.fortbendisdacademies.com.
