Academies

About NISD Career Academies

During the fall semester of their 8th grade year, Northwest ISD students can request enrollment for a NISD Career & Technical Education high school career academy. Note: 10th grade students can request enrollment for the Cosmetology Academy to attend during junior and senior years. 

The ideal student for an academy has a strong interest in a specific career field and the willingness to commit themselves to being immersed into four years of intense learning experiences. If the academy is not located at the student's zoned high school campus, the student will transfer to the campus of the academy at which they are accepted.

Students should speak to their Campus Counselor or College & Career Exploration/AVID teacher for additional information about CTE opportunities. Learn more about each academy with information links below:

Aviation at Eaton High School

Biomedical Sciences at Byron Nelson High School

Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Eaton High School

Construction Opening at Northwest HS for the 25-26 school year! 

Cosmetology  currently at Steele Early College High School (moving to Northwest HS August 2025)

Creative Media Production at Northwest High School

Culinary Arts and Hospitality at Bryon Nelson High School

STEM at Northwest High School

Academy Enrollment Requests

Request Enrollment Form2025-26 Academy Enrollment Request placements are completed. Students interested in Construction, Creative Media & Production, or STEM, are encouraged to reach out to the Academy Coordinator as a limited number of spots remain open. 

Current 8th grade* students interested in attending a Northwest ISD Academy need to submit the online form and may only submit an enrollment request for one academy. Students who submit a request during the priority time period (Oct. 15-Nov. 15) will receive notification of enrollment status by Jan. 15. Enrollment requests received after the priority enrollment time period will be reviewed as space in each program allows. 

Students must submit enrollment request, even if the academy is located at their zoned campus. If the academy is not located at the student's zoned campus, the student will transfer to the campus of the academy at which they are accepted. This will become their "home" high school campus, and the district will provide bus transportation to that campus. 

*Students request enrollment to the Cosmetology Academy during their Sophomore year of high school to attend during their Junior and Senior years.