Northern Lehigh School District’s high school program of study shows an increased emphasis on college and career readiness.

Dr. Tania Stoker recently gave a brief report on the 2020-21 high school program of study to the school board.

Stoker said the district will be using the Xello platform (districtwide), and have made its Future Ready Skills a required course (11th grade for most students, 12th grade for Lehigh Career & Technical Institute students).

In addition, the district has also added three new course offerings to its high school technology department.

Stoker said Photoshop will introduce students to Adobe Photoshop imaging and design software that is used in the professional workplace. This course will provide the depth of knowledge that students will need to apply in courses like Digital and Graphic Arts, Yearbook Publication, and others.

She said Home Improvement and Maintenance will help any future home renter or owner understand how to maintain, fix or upgrade their living space, as well as introduce the tools necessary to do so. Major home systems such as wall structures and coverings, residential painting, electrical circuits, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, etc. will be covered.

Stoker said Product Design (Prerequisite CAD) will take a student through the process of turning an idea into a hand-held design using the district’s new CNC machine which it was able to purchase through the PA Smart Grant it received.

Some units include Technological Design Process and Problem Solving, Drafting and Design in 2D and 3D, Basic and Advanced Machine Use, Manufacturing, CNC Programming, Jigs and Fixturing, Analyzing, Summarizing and Presenting.