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Board approves new and revised 2026–27 course list; administration flags middle‑school philosophy for further review
Summary
The board approved a package of new and revised high‑school and middle‑school courses intended to expand elective and CTE pathways for 2026–27. Administration recommended that the proposed middle‑school philosophy course not be included without additional staffing and equity review.
The Chapel Hill‑Carrboro City Schools board approved a slate of new and revised courses for the 2026–27 school year after a presentation from the district curriculum lead.
Staff told the board that the curriculum management team reviewed teacher‑ and administrator‑proposed courses and recommended a number of new elective pathways aimed at providing more options beyond AP offerings. Proposals included expanded honors sequences in world languages, honors journalism continuation language changed to a recommendation rather than a strict grade requirement, new elective offerings at the high‑school level and exploratory CTE options at middle schools. The board also heard that AP 3‑D Art and Design was recommended as a way to give students an additional AP pathway built within existing class structures.
District administration noted one exception: a proposed middle‑school philosophy course had committee support, but administrators recommended it not proceed at this time because of equity and staffing concerns — specifically, that the proposal relied on bringing in a UNC faculty member and could reduce Latin slots or otherwise create uneven access across schools. The presenter said the committee’s recommendation and the administration’s caution would be reflected in the materials for the board vote.
Board members asked clarifying questions about how teachers and principals propose courses, the role of the curriculum committee, and how ‘administration notes’ are displayed in the proposal packet. On honors journalism continuation, board members asked that the language be standardized so that the item reads as a teacher recommendation rather than a barrier to student advancement.
After discussion, the board moved and voted to approve the revised course list with the administration’s caveat on the middle‑school philosophy course.
The district said it will bring the schematic or implementation details to schools and work through scheduling and staffing as part of the adoption process.
