Embedded Files
More Than a Classroom
More Than a Classroom
At Cedar Park High School, student media is more than a class. It's an opportunity to gain real-world experience through a student-led, teacher-advised newsroom.
Students in our advanced journalism programs produce three publications: the Tracks yearbook, the Wolfpack newspaper and the Wolfcast broadcast. From covering breaking news and school events to designing yearbook spreads and producing newscasts, students create work for real audiences while developing professional skills.
Our programs use a work-based learning model that gives students meaningful responsibility for the work they produce. Students make creative and editorial decisions, manage deadlines, collaborate with their peers and take ownership of their publications, with instruction, guidance and support from their adviser.
This experience can be rewarding, but it also requires independence, accountability and a commitment to the team. Students and families are encouraged to explore the programs and their expectations before selecting a course.
Where Should I Start?
Where Should I Start?
Official Course Title: Audio/Video Production I
Official Course Title: Audio/Video Production I
Grades 9-12 | Priority Enrollement for Grades 9-11
Not sure which student media program is right for you? Start here!
Intro to Student Media provides a foundation in the journalism and media production skills used across all three of Cedar Park High School's student publications: Tracks Yearbook, Wolfpack Newspaper and Wolfcast Broadcast.
At its heart, journalism is about telling people's stories and giving them a voice. Through hands-on projects, students learn to research, report and document events through writing, photography, design and video. The course introduces students to both broadcast journalism and filmmaking while emphasizing creativity, journalistic ethics and responsible storytelling.
Students gain experience with professional equipment, editing software and production techniques, with opportunities to explore different forms of storytelling and discover their interests.
What Will I Learn?
What Will I Learn?
Journalism fundamentals, news and feature writing, and interviewing
Photography, composition and visual storytelling
Headlines, captions, editing, AP style and publication design
Broadcast journalism, scriptwriting and on-camera presentation
Filmmaking, audio production and video editing
Professional equipment and Adobe editing software
Journalism ethics, First Amendment principles, teamwork and deadlines
Why Take It First?
Why Take It First?
Intro to Student Media builds the foundational skills students need to succeed in advanced journalism courses while giving them the opportunity to explore yearbook, newspaper and broadcast before deciding which program best matches their interests and strengths.
Course Selection Reminder
Course Selection Reminder
When selecting classes, look for Audio/Video Production I in the official course catalog. Intro to Student Media is the name used to describe our introductory program.
The course is available to students in grades 9-12, with priority seating for students in grades 9-11.
Find Your Program
Find Your Program
Broadcast | The Wolfcast
Broadcast | The Wolfcast
Students produce an award-winning broadcast news program, taking responsibility for reporting, anchoring, filming, editing and live studio production. This hands-on course emphasizes video journalism, storytelling and teamwork while preparing students to meet real broadcast deadlines.
Newspaper | The Wolfpack
Newspaper | The Wolfpack
Students operate an award-winning, student-led online newsroom, reporting on campus news, sports, student life and issues affecting the school community. Staff members write, photograph, edit and publish original journalism while exploring podcasts, short-form video and digital storytelling.
Yearbook | Tracks
Yearbook | Tracks
The award-winning Tracks staff produces a 290+ page yearbook, taking responsibility for photography, writing, design and editing. This photography-driven course emphasizes visual storytelling, captions and feature writing, with regular event coverage and production responsibilities outside school hours.
Understanding the Commitment
Understanding the Commitment
Our advanced student media courses are more than traditional electives. Students become part of a working newsroom, taking ownership of projects, making creative and editorial decisions, and producing content for real audiences.
This work-based learning environment gives students opportunities to develop independence, leadership, collaboration and professional skills. With guidance and support from their adviser, students learn to manage deadlines, communicate effectively, solve problems and take pride in work that represents their school community.
Because journalism often happens beyond the classroom, students may also be expected to cover events, conduct interviews or complete assignments outside regular school hours.
Before requesting an advanced publication course, students and families should review the Program Agreement and applicable staff handbook to understand the expectations, responsibilities and commitments involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to take Intro to Student Media before joing broadcast, newspaper or yearbook?
Do I have to take Intro to Student Media before joing broadcast, newspaper or yearbook?
Yes, Intro to Student Media (Audio/Video Production I) is the recommended starting point for students interested in yearbook, newspaper or broadcast. The course builds foundational skills and introduces students to all three programs before they take on the responsibilities of an advanced publication.
Limited exceptions may be considered based on prior coursework or experience, grade level, course availability and scheduling considerations. These are evaluated individually and do not guarantee placement in an advanced course.
Can incoming freshmen join broadcast, newspaper or yearbook?
Can incoming freshmen join broadcast, newspaper or yearbook?
Our advanced publication courses are designed primarily for students in grades 10-12. Incoming freshmen are strongly encouraged to begin with Intro to Student Media.
Limited opportunities for direct enrollment may be available if space allows. Ninth graders seeking to bypass the introductory course must have a recommendation from their middle school yearbook or multimedia teacher.
What makes these courses different from traditional electives?
What makes these courses different from traditional electives?
All three programs operate as student-led, teacher-advised publications. Students produce real work for real audiences, make creative and editorial decisions, collaborate with their peers and take responsibility for meeting publication deadlines.
These courses offer valuable opportunities for independence, creativity and leadership, but also require a higher level of personal responsibility and commitment.
Will I have to work outside of class?
Will I have to work outside of class?
Yes. Journalism often happens beyond the classroom. Depending on the publication and assigned responsibilities, students may need to conduct interviews, photograph events, cover school activities or complete production assignments outside regular school hours.
Students and families should consider these commitments when deciding whether an advanced publication course is the right fit.
How do I request an advanced publication course?
How do I request an advanced publication course?
Students interested must complete the required course request process, including reviewing and signing the Student Media Program Agreement Request with a parent or guardian and having at least one parent or guardian attend a program information meeting in March.
All required materials and steps must be completed by the published course selection deadline.
Why does a parent or guardian need to attend an information meeting?
Why does a parent or guardian need to attend an information meeting?
Because advanced publication courses involve real-world responsibilities, we want families to understand the experience before students enroll.
Information meetings explain how our student-led newsrooms operate, the expectations and commitments involved, and how families can support their student's participation. At least one parent or guardian must attend as part of the course request process.
Does completing the Program Agreement and course request process guarantee enrollment?
Does completing the Program Agreement and course request process guarantee enrollment?
No. Completing the required steps allows students to be considered for an advanced publication course but does not guarantee placement.
Enrollment depends on course availability, scheduling and applicable program requirements. Students should work with their school counselor when planning their course requests.
Can I participate in more than one student media program?
Can I participate in more than one student media program?
Possibly! Students interested in more than one publication are encouraged to discuss their interests with the adviser and their school counselor.
Participation in multiple programs depends on course availability, scheduling and the student's ability to meet the responsibilities of each publication.
Report abuse