The AP Spanish Language Middle School Program is designed to raise the academic expectations of native Spanish-speaking students to engage them in early preparation for college success. This program gives students the opportunity to earn up to 3 high school credits and 1 college credit in Spanish before leaving middle school.

The goal of PreAP/AP instruction at CHS is to prepare a maximum number of students for success on the Advanced Placement exam. AP courses include AP English III, AP English IV, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Government, AP Spanish, AP French and AP Studio Art.

El Paso Community College offers fundamental core courses to qualified high school juniors and seniors at Canutillo High School in the areas of English and History. Students receive both high school credit and college credits for the courses they take in the dual credit program. The college class is a replacement rather that an addition. Students take just one class-the college class-and get both high school and college credit for it. The courses are taught by certified college school instructors who have been approved by the appropriate El Paso Community College Academic departments.
Dual credit courses offered at CHS include: English III, English IV, U.S. History and Government/Economics.

The Ninth Grade Initiative program is designed to reduce dropout rates, increase academic performance and attendance and to emphasize basic skills that are essential for student success while at CHS. Support services including individualized instruction and academic interventions are provided on a daily basis.

Cadets learn and practice the traits and principles of leadership, self-confidence, discipline and responsibility. Cadets also receive instruction in Leadership Theory and Applications, Wellness, Fitness, First Aid, Geography, Earth Science, Citizenship, American History, marksmanship and Map Reading.

The Canutillo Independent School District promotes participation in the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) by providing several options and educational opportunities for students to earn this extraordinary education distinction. The DAP requires high levels of academic performance beyond the expected of students in high school Students who wish to complete the DAP and have the accomplishment recognized on their transcript must complete all required courses and four advanced measures.

AVID is an academic support program designed to prepare students with a GPA of 2.0-3.5 for college eligibility and success. Students are enrolled in a college preparatory sequence of classes and in an elective section of AVID where they receive the academic and motivational support to succeed.

Student athletic trainers are exposed to the care, prevention, recognition and rehabilitation of athletic injuries and illness. This course is a hands-on class assisting all Canutillo High School athletic teams with the prevention and care of injured athletes during practice and games.

Students in their senior year are given the opportunity to participate in work-based learning experiences. DCP students serve in paid or unpaid internships under the supervision of a teacher who coordinates a training plan with employers while students are taking a class to strengthen their knowledge of the world facing today's workforce.

Canutillo High School is implementing the High Schools that Work (HSTW) program. Implementation of the program began fall 2005. The centerpiece of HSTW is a challenging curriculum that focuses on raising academic and technical standards, and expectations to prepare students for higher education and entrance into the workplace. The HSTW recommended curriculum focuses on making the senior year more challenging and meaningful for students. The curriculum includes a high-level mathematics course in the senior year, as well as at least two other academic courses, thus helping to close the achievement gap that many high school students face upon entering college.

Students enrolled in grades seven through twelve are guided in their process of planning for the future by selecting one of seven career pathways:
• Agricultural Science and Technology
• Art
• Communications and Media
• Business and Marketing
• Human Development, Management and Service
• Health Science and Technology; Industrial and Engineering
Technology
• Personal, Protective and Public Service.
When students begin making pathway decisions, they are individually counseled to ensure courses selected match their interests and aptitudes.

Students are identified through a testing process after they have been nominated by a teacher or a parent.
(Kindergarten – Middle School)
Each elementary campus has an Advanced Academics (AA) Teacher who...
...Works with the inclusion teachers to plan lessons, give ideas, and give support. These classroom teachers then differentiate their curriculum for the (AA) students within their classrooms in terms of depth and complexity.
...Regularly pulls out the GT students and works with them by either grade level and/or content area.

CISD provides all students the opportunity to become academically proficient in two languages. CISD offers two models of bilingual education programs:

One-Way Bilingual Education Program allows English Learners (EL) to fully develop and maintain their native language while learning English. The subject areas are taught in the native language with daily instruction in English. Instruction in English increases gradually until students reach the same level of proficiency in both languages.

Two Way Dual Language Program allows an equal number of English Learners and English speaking students to be taught together in an effort to develop full academic bi-literacy for both groups. All participating students receive instruction in language arts and content subjects in English and Spanish beginning in kindergarten.