Applications for the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD) High School Specialty Programs are now open for the 2026-2027 academic year. The application window runs from November 3 to November 21, closing at 5:00 p.m. on the final day.
The district is encouraging families to attend information sessions and campus tours to learn more about each specialty program and hear directly from current students and staff. Prospective applicants can use SCUSD’s SchoolFinder tool to explore different programs, filter by school or program type, and review details such as pathways, Advanced Placement courses, clubs, activities, and athletics.
A Small High School Showcase will be held on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Serna Center Community Rooms. This event aims to provide insight into how small high schools help students develop career-ready skills in fields like arts, healthcare, design, robotics, technology, and engineering.
SCUSD offers a total of 36 specialty programs across its neighborhood and specialized high schools. These include health care education at Arthur Benjamin Health Professions High School; various academies such as Air Force Jr. ROTC and Law & Public Policy at C.K. McClatchy High School; business and law-focused tracks at Hiram Johnson High School; public Waldorf education at George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science; culinary arts and zero-emissions automotive pathways at John F. Kennedy High School; trades academies at Luther Burbank High School; project-based learning opportunities at New Technology Early College High School; individualized internships through The Met Sacramento; science-linked learning at the School of Engineering and Sciences; engineering tracks at Rosemont High School; International Baccalaureate programs at Umoja International Academy; and college preparatory options at West Campus High School.
Applicants may select both a first- and second-choice program during the application period via the district’s High School Specialty Program webpage. The district notes that applications submitted early do not receive priority consideration.
“Families are encouraged to attend information sessions and campus tours to learn more about each specialty program and hear directly from current students and staff.”
“Use SCUSD’s SchoolFinder tool to explore the different specialty programs across the district. You can filter by school, program type, or location, then view details such as pathways, AP courses, clubs, activities, and athletics. Create a profile to save your favorite schools for easy reference.”
“Still exploring options? Join us at the Small High School Showcase on Wednesday, November 12, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. in the Serna Center Community Rooms. Discover how our small high schools help students gain career-ready skills in fields like the arts, healthcare, design, robotics, technology, and engineering.”
“We offer 36 specialty programs at both our neighborhood and small specialized high schools.”
“Apply to a first and second choice program Monday, November 3 at 8:00am and will run through Friday, November 21 at 5:00pm. Choose your selections carefully and apply anytime during the application window; no priority is given to early applicants so you have some time to think about it.”
