Sometimes, a student’s first experience with flight doesn’t happen thousands of feet in the air. It begins right in the classroom.
“I used to live near the Dallas Executive Airport,” said Juan Q. “I liked going outside and seeing the small airplanes landing and taking off.”
Juan, now an aviation student at Career Institute South who hopes to become a private pilot, was inspired to join the pathway by an older classmate.
A four-year program, the aviation pathway gives students the opportunity to explore everything from flight operations to aircraft systems. It is part of Dallas ISD’s broader effort to bring innovation and excellence to the classroom.
Beginning as freshmen, students progress through courses that build technical knowledge and industry experience. When they graduate, they possess the skills to pursue careers in aviation, such as pilot, flight attendant, aircraft technician, or air traffic controller.
“Being here helps us learn about the things we’ll actually do in the future,” Juan said.
Dallas ISD’s program stands out for giving students who may never have set foot in an airplane the chance to virtually take control of one. Using flight simulators, students learn to navigate takeoffs, landings, and flight paths while gaining confidence in their skills.
“It feels like you’re flying,” Juan said. “You’re still on the ground, but you’re controlling the aircraft.”
Beyond the simulators, students in the district’s aviation programs get hands-on experience through field trips, including a trip to Waco, where students tour the Institute for Aviation Science at Baylor University.
Jafet R., who is also in the CIS aviation program, said he’s gained so much more than the inner workings of a career in the field; he is learning life skills.
“I have learned a lot of valuable things, but the ones I am most grateful for are how to be professional and how to build a resume,” he said.
And, while Jafet said he is not yet sure if he wants to pursue an aviation career, he is confident that he is prepared for any job in the field if that is what he decides he wants to do.
His advice to younger students is to follow their dreams.
“Think about what you want to do and how you are going to get there,” he said. “CIS offers a lot of cool programs, so if you like aviation, give it a shot,” he said.
The deadline to apply to application-based schools like CIS for the 2026-2027 school year is Jan. 31, 2026.
