Redondo Union High approves new CTE pathways, adds AP cybersecurity and applied math elective

The Redondo Beach Unified School District board on Jan. 20 approved new Redondo Union High School courses and updates to Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways for the 2026–27 school year, following a presentation from high‑school staff.

Assistant Principal Christina Sonata and teacher Manny Waters described a series of new electives and pathway reorganizations that district staff said are intended to expand career readiness. Waters said the AP Cybersecurity class will serve as a concentrator with AP Networking as the capstone, and noted the course can yield industry‑recognized credentials: “It also provides an AP cybersecurity credential with qualifying score at the end, which is very key. Also, it validates job‑ready skills,” he said.

District staff also sought board approval for Explorations in Data Science, a project‑based math elective intended to count as a third‑ or fourth‑year math option for students who may not take precalculus. The presenter described the course as focused on practical data analysis, modeling and evidence‑based argumentation; Sonata told the board the district is seeking UC acceptance for the course so it will count under UC math requirements.

Teachers explained why pathway sequencing matters: students must complete a concentrator course then a capstone to be considered a CTE pathway completer. The presenters said AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking were listed as elective lab sciences following AP guidance, which they said will provide students additional options to meet lab science expectations for college admission.

Board members asked whether the new courses would be available to seniors and whether they would satisfy math or science graduation requirements. Presenters said the district will consider allowing seniors to enroll in new classes during an initial roll‑out year and confirmed that Explorations in Data Science requires Algebra II as a prerequisite and is being positioned as a math elective. Waters added that students could pursue industry certification such as CompTIA to strengthen post‑graduation job prospects.

The board approved the package of course additions and CTE pathway changes by voice vote. The items were marked in the course catalog as pending board approval prior to public outreach events such as RUHS’s course‑planning nights.

The board meeting packet shows the courses are already entered in the district’s course planner with pending approval; staff noted any courses that become part of state or UC pathways will be submitted through the appropriate approval processes.

The board will publish the approved course list as part of the RUHS course planner and notify counselors so students can consider the offerings for fall 2026.