Find Your Passion in One of Our Programs of Study
Mesquite ISD offers 35 different Programs of Study designed to allow students to pursue their passions while preparing for continuing education or beginning a career after high school. Below you will find a brief summary from each of our Programs with a button that links to a more in depth look. Please note that most of our Programs are available to students attending any of our five comprehensive high schools (see the blue boxes) however, there are several Programs exclusively at Vanguard High School.
Accounting and Finance
Learn the skills necessary to perform financial services, prepare financial statements, interpret accounting records, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Animation
Explore the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing or creating graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Architectural Design
Explore the occupations and educational opportunities associated with developing, engineering, and designing building structures and facilities. This program of study may also include exploration into collecting and interpreting geographic information, researching and preparing maps, and interior design.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Audio/Video Production
Explore the occupations and educational opportunities associated with the production of audio and visual media formats for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Automotive Collision
Learn what it takes to restore damaged vehicles to pre-accident condition and prepare for a career repairing and refinishing automobiles.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Automotive Technology
Learn the skills required to begin a successful career in the automotive repair industry and how to use the alignment computer, alignment racks and many other industry tools.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Business Management
Learn how to plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative
services and operations of an organization.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Computer Science
Interested in researching, designing, developing, and testing operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software?
Offered exclusively at Vanguard
Construction Technology
Explore the occupations and educational opportunities related to constructing, installing or repairing structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms, frameworks, partitions, joists, studding, rafters, and stairways.
Offered exclusively at Vanguard
Cosmetology
Are you passionate about providing personal beauty service including hairstyling, bleaching, tinting, permanent waving, scalp and hair conditioning, hair cutting, facials and manicures?
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Culinary Arts
This program will prepare you for a career planning, directing or coordinating activities of a food and beverage organization or department.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Cybersecurity
This program provides training for careers related to planning, implementing, upgrading,
or monitoring security measure for the protection of computer networks and information.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Dental Assistant
Learn about the dental assisting profession, ethics, communication skills, infection control and hazard management, clinical procedures, clerical functions, concepts in radiological and digital imaging.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Early Learning
Learn early childhood education, which consists of instructing and supporting preschool students in activities that promote social, physical and intellectual growth as well as in basic elements of science, art, music, and literature.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Focused on extensive training for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and training to administer electrocardiograms. Students attend classroom instruction as well as complete clinical hours in an emergency room setting and on ambulance ride-outs.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Engineering
Learn about the design, development, and use of engines, machines, and structures. Apply science, mathematical methods, and empirical evidence to the innovation, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of different manufacturing systems.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Entrepreneurship
Learn how to plan, direct, and coordinate the management and operations of public
or private sector organizations. Through this program of study, students will learn the skills necessary to formulate policies, manage daily operations, analyze management structures, and plan for the use of materials and human resources.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Fashion Design
Explore the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing clothing and/or creating products to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as displays, accessories, or designs.
AVAILABLE at all five
comprehensive high schools
Firefighter
Learn how to respond to emergency situations, such as medical emergencies and fire-
based emergencies. Prepare for a career in emergency prevention and response.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Graphic Design
Explore the occupations and educational opportunities associated with designing or creating graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
hEALTH & fAMILY sERVICES
Focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with promoting physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Learn about occupations and educational opportunities related to diagnosing and treating acute, episodic, or chronic illness independently or as part of a healthcare team.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Explore occupational and educational opportunities associated with developing, engineering and designing structures and facilities for the built environment. Develop skills in measurement, reading technical drawings and drafting through project-based activities.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Law Enforcement
Learn about the development of, adherence to and protection of various branches of law. Students will learn how to appropriately and legally respond to breaches in the law according to statutory rules and regulations as well as investigate how and why the breaches occurred.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Learn how to collect information to determine potential sales of a product or service and/or create a marketing campaign to market or distribute goods and services.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Learn how to assist physicians with exams, take vital signs, practice aseptic technique, interview patients for medical history, provide documentation, perform clinical procedures, use laboratory techniques, understand medical terminology and understand office procedures.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Learn how to read a prescription, how to fill it, and how to work in a pharmacy. This program
prepares the student to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Learn all aspects of blood collection, terminology, anatomy, physiology, blood collection procedures, specimen hands-on practice, and clinical training in skills and techniques to perform puncture methods.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Would you like the opportunity to obtain your Texas Real Estate Salesperson license upon graduation and launch a career in real estate?
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Ideal for students who wish to explore how industries use robots and automated systems. Basic programming skills
will be used to complete projects, and students will gain an understanding of programmable circuits.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Teaching & Training
Prepare for a career related to teaching, instruction and the creation of instructional and enrichment materials.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Prepare for therapeutic careers like physical therapy, occupational therapy and sports injury rehabilitation. Learn about injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation and emergency injury management.
Available exclusively at Vanguard
Explore occupations and educational opportunities related to the marketing and
sales of travel and tourism services.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
The Veterinary Science program of study focuses on the science, research, and business of animals and other living organisms. It teaches CTE learners how to apply biology and life science to real‐world life processes of animals and wildlife, either in laboratories or in the field, which could include a veterinary office, a farm or ranch, or any outdoor area harboring animal life.
Available at all five
comprehensive high schools
Welding
This program of study focuses on the development and use of automatic and computer-controlled machines, tools, and robots that perform work on metal or plastic.