Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Career Tech topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
TPS to offer limited 7th–12th career‑tech pathways at Bowsher and Start; Bowsher to become Arts and Science Academy
Summary
A district presenter announced that, pending board approval, TPS will open limited 7th–12th career‑technical pathways at Bowsher and Start for the 2026–2027 school year, convert Bowsher High School into Bowsher Arts and Science Academy, and open applications May 1, 2026 on tps.org.
A presenter in a district video announced that TPS will create limited 7th–12th career‑technical pathway programs at Bowsher and at Start beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year and that Bowsher High School will be converted into the Bowsher Arts and Science Academy, the presenter said.
The change is part of the district's "Transformation 2.0" initiative, which the presenter described as an effort to expand career pathways so students can earn industry credentials and college credit earlier. "You will have choice in all your opportunities," the presenter said, adding that the district is aligning programming "with what students need, not just what we've always done." The presenter also said "our academic chief, Victor Gault, will go in deeper in detail."
Under the plan, the optional 7th and 8th grade seats at Bowsher and Start would require students to apply to enter the pathway. "Those students will begin their pathway with career tech courses as they work to prepare for their future," the presenter said. The district described the credentialing window as extending students' exposure to industry certifications and college credit, citing "4 and 1/2 years to 6 years of industry credentialing as well as college credit."
Pending board approval, the presenter said applications for the limited 7th and 8th grade opportunities at Start and Bowsher will open May 1, 2026 on the TPS website (tps.org). The presenter announced that Bowsher High School will be converted into the Bowsher Arts and Science Academy for 2026–2027; students entering grades 7, 8 and 9 would start the new pathway toward industry credentials or college credits. The presenter added that current Bowsher students "will stay on their designed pathway, including athletics."
The presenter said TPS will continue to explore and create new career opportunities during the 2026–2027 academic year, with the first additional changes beginning in 2027–2028, and promised more details soon. Programs referenced in the recording were described as operated through a "next step" program.
Next steps: the changes are stated to be "pending board approval," with applications scheduled to open May 1, 2026; the presenter said further details would be posted on tps.org and provided by the district in follow‑up communications.
