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Board approves 2025-26 high school course and program revisions, including travel‑abroad options and CTE changes
Summary
The governing board approved revisions to high‑school academic awards, social studies prerequisites, career and technical education fees and world‑language travel opportunities for the 2025–26 school year; the changes include clarifying communications, a $40 vendor fee, and guidance on travel fees and liability.
The Catalina Foothills Unified School District Governing Board on Jan. 28 approved revisions to the high‑school course guide and program list for the 2025–26 school year, covering academic awards, social studies prerequisites, career and technical education (CTE) fees and world‑language travel programs.
Cheryl Castro, executive director of curriculum and assessment, presented the proposed changes and described how the district will communicate eligibility and fee information to families. After discussion the board voted 5-0 to approve the revisions as presented.
Castro told the board the district revised the academic awards timing so the silver and gold awards will be based on first and second semesters of the same academic year; she said, "The eligibility criteria for this award are always included in the course guide in both English and Spanish every year. Parents will also be notified through a ParentSquare post this summer." The change applies to the 2025–26 academic awards schedule.
On prerequisites, the board agreed to move several previously listed letter‑grade prerequisites into a "recommended" category and to add a clarifying statement that existing practice permits staff to waive prerequisites when appropriate. Castro said the course guide now includes the grade‑to‑rubric correlation chart and that guidance will be reiterated by counselors.
Career and technical education changes include adding a $40 vendor fee at the course level (rather than as a single note) and opening graphic design/publication to grades 9–12; staff told the board that CTE funds and other contributions support certification costs and that freshmen may enroll in the courses indicated. Carrie Berson, CTE staff referenced by Castro, told the presenter that certification fees will still be covered by CTE funding.
The world‑languages update adds two optional summer travel programs. Castro described the district's vetting and communication plan: the guide links to program pages (she cited Amigos de Las Americas) but does not post fixed fees because costs fluctuate. She said fee examples on partner sites range roughly from $3,875 to $5,275 depending on destination and length. Castro also said that the district has chosen partner organizations with training and waiver procedures and that "there is no district liability for either one of those programs," adding that students remain covered by district insurance only while enrolled; families are responsible for travel costs, though fundraising assistance has been used in past years. The board confirmed the district will require informational meetings and that staff chaperone travel; Castro said district chaperone costs are covered.
Board members asked clarifying questions about communication timing, liability, student eligibility and funding; Castro said the changes and guidance will appear in the course guide and be communicated to families, counselors and principals. A board motion to approve the high‑school course/program revisions carried 5-0.
The approved guide will be used for scheduling and advising for the 2025–26 school year; details on fees and program enrollment will be posted in the course guide and on partner sites where applicable.
