CAREER & TECHNICAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Leander ISD recognizes the value of enriching Career and Technical Education (CTE) student experiences beyond the classroom through participation in student organizations. To support career readiness and leadership development, Leander ISD provides opportunities for students currently enrolled in a CTE course to participate in Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) aligned with the following Career Cluster Areas.

All CTSO members must be currently enrolled in a CTE course within the appropriate and approved Career Cluster or Program of Study. Additionally, parent/guardian permission is required for all students to activate membership and participate in an organization.

DECA

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Accounting & Financial Services
Business Management
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship: INCubatoredu
Marketing & Sales

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Business, Marketing, & Finance Career Cluster.

FCCLA

Family, Career and Community Leaders of America is a nonprofit national career and technical student organization supporting and promoting Family and Consumer Sciences Education.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Culinary Arts
Fashion Design
Interior Design
Health & Wellness
Lodging & Resort Management
Teaching & Training

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the identified Programs of Study.

FFA is a dynamic youth organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Animal Science: Animal Science Studies
Animal Science: Veterinary
Agriculture Technology and Mechanical Systems
Plant Science: Floral Design

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Career Cluster.

HOSA

The purpose of HOSA-Future Health Professionals is to develop leadership and technical HOSA skill competencies through a program of motivation, awareness and recognition, which is an integral part of the Health Science Education instructional program.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Healthcare
Biomedical Science

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Health Science Career Cluster.

Skills USA

SkillsUSA is a national non-profit organization serving teachers and high school students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations, including health occupations.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Architecture
Audio/Video Production
Automotive
Construction
Cosmetology
Electrical
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Foundations
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Graphic Design
Law Enforcement

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Architecture & Construction, Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications, Engineering, Human Services: Cosmetology, Law & Public Services, or Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics Career Clusters.

Texas Association of Future Educators

Texas Association of Future Educators is a statewide organization that offers students the opportunity to explore the teaching profession. This is accomplished by creating and supporting various activities, workshops, contests, scholarships, and summer workshops.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Teaching & Training

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Education & Training Career Cluster.

Technology Student Association

The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national association of students engaged in STEM and the arts. Our membership is over 250,000 students strong, spanning 48 U.S. states, and includes high school and middle school students.

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Architecture & Construction, Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, Engineering, or Information Technology Career Clusters.

ADDITIONAL EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

BEST Robotics

Empowering the Next Generation of STEM Leaders. Building a pipeline where education and the workforce intersect.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Electrical Engineering
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Eligibility requirements: None.

CyberPatriots

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air & Space Forces Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation’s future.

At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation’s largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks.

Aligned Pathway:

JROTC

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course in JROTC Pathway.

FIRST Robotics

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) are part of FIRST - the world’s leading youth robotics community, delivering hands-on STEM learning that inspires innovation, builds confidence, and prepares kids for life. Across the globe, students thrive in FIRST programs — powered by mentorship, teamwork, creativity, and engineering challenges.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Agriculture Technology and Mechanical Systems
Accounting & Financial Services
Business Management
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship: INCubatoredu
Marketing & Sales
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
Cybersecurity
Programming and Software Development: Computer Science Studies
Programming and Software Development: Mobile App Development

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any course within the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources: Agriculture Technology and Mechanical Systems, Business, Marketing & Finance, Engineering, or Information Technology Career Clusters beginning in 2027-28 school year.

National Technical Honor Society

The National Technical Honor Society is an educational non-profit that exists to honor, recognize, and empower students and teachers in Career & Technical Education. As the honor society for Career & Technical Education, NTHS serves over 100,000 active members annually in both secondary and postsecondary chapters across the country.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Any CTE Program of Study

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any CTE course and local NTHS chapter GPA requirements.

ProStart

ProStart is a nationwide, two-year high school program that prepares students with skills needed in the culinary industry. From culinary techniques to management skills, ProStart’s industry-driven curriculum provides real-life experience opportunities and builds practical skills and a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Culinary Arts

Eligibility requirements: Co-enrollment in any Culinary course within the Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster.

University Interscholastic League (UIL)

The University Interscholastic League offers the most comprehensive program of academic competition in the nation. UIL Academics offers more activities than any other UIL division, with 30 contests at the high school level and 20 A+ Academic contests for grades 2-8. More than half a million students participate in UIL academic contests each year.

Aligned Programs of Study:

Accounting & Financial Services
Advanced Journalism: News Media
Digital Communications: Audio/Video Production
Programming and Software Development: Computer Science Studies
Printing and Imaging Technology: Yearbook

Eligibility requirements: None.

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