The TCAPS Curriculum Committee meets to guide and oversee teaching and learning across the district.
These meetings bring together school board members, staff, and district leaders to review programs, monitor student progress, and discuss instructional strategies.
The Curriculum Committee Snapshot is a monthly series designed to increase awareness and understanding of how this work supports equitable instruction, strengthens learning opportunities, celebrates student and staff achievements, and advances TCAPS’ 2030 Vision.
Why This Meeting Matters
At the April 7 Curriculum Committee meeting, the focus centered on how TCAPS expands learning opportunities while helping students stay connected to school.
Presentations highlighted how arts education, flexible course pathways, and college partnerships support both student engagement and academic success.
The committee also reviewed updates to the district course catalog and examined new tools designed to expand access to courses for students with diverse interests and needs.
What We Discussed
Arts Education and Student Belonging: Visual and performing arts leaders shared how participation in art, music, and theater helps students develop confidence, leadership skills, and strong connections to their school community.
Expanding Course Access: Staff discussed updates to the district course catalog, including new requirements such as personal finance and improvements to elementary math instruction.
Virtual Learning Pilot: The district continues evaluating the Subject virtual learning platform as a potential option for credit recovery and specialized courses that may not otherwise be available locally.
College Partnerships: Leaders reviewed ongoing collaboration with Northwestern Michigan College to support dual enrollment and Early College opportunities for TCAPS students.
What We’re Seeing
What’s working:
Strong participation in arts programs, state-level student recognition, and continued success of music ensembles earning superior ratings at competitions.
What’s challenging:
Ensuring students across all buildings have access to specialized courses and flexible pathways to earn credits and stay on track for graduation.
How we’re responding:
Piloting new learning platforms, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding creative programs that keep students engaged in school.
How This Supports Students
TCAPS views engagement and opportunity as essential conditions for learning. Programs that allow students to explore creativity, develop talents, and access specialized coursework help build the motivation and confidence students need to succeed academically.
These opportunities also reinforce an important goal of the district’s new 5-year strategic plan: ensuring students feel connected to school while preparing for life after graduation.
Highlights by Program Area
Visual Arts: Creativity and Community Connection
TCAPS visual arts programs span kindergarten through high school, introducing students to artistic techniques, art history, and cultural perspectives.
At the secondary level, students participate in advanced electives such as AP Drawing, AP 2D Art, and AP Photography. Many of these classes reach full enrollment each year.
Students also regularly connect their learning to the community through creative projects and exhibitions. The annual TCAPS K–12 Art Show, opening April 23 at The Commons, will showcase student artwork from across the district.
Performing Arts: Discipline, Confidence, and Leadership
Music and performing arts programs continue to thrive across TCAPS schools. Middle and high school ensembles recently earned superior ratings at regional competitions, reflecting the dedication of both students and educators.
Participation in music and theater helps students build discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills while strengthening their sense of belonging within their schools.
Research also consistently shows that students engaged in music education often demonstrate strong academic outcomes and higher college readiness indicators.
Flexible Learning Pathways: Expanding Course Options
TCAPS is piloting a virtual learning platform called Subject at Traverse City High School. The platform allows the district to offer both credit recovery courses and specialized classes that may not otherwise be available due to staffing limitations.
One example includes a niche Career and Technical Education course in plumbing, made possible because the platform provides a certified “teacher of record.”
Another important feature is multilingual course dubbing, which has already helped support older English-language learners who are working to complete graduation requirements while building English proficiency.
District leaders are collecting feedback from students and teachers and will make a decision this summer about whether to expand the platform.
Early College and Dual Enrollment
TCAPS continues to strengthen partnerships with Northwestern Michigan College to expand early college and dual enrollment opportunities for students.
These programs allow students to earn college credit while still in high school, helping them explore career pathways and accelerate progress toward postsecondary goals.
The Curriculum Committee also reviewed an updated memorandum of understanding with NMC to support the continued growth of these programs.
Strategic Plan Connection
Goal #2: Student Well-Being
Arts programs and creative opportunities help students build connection, identity, and confidence within their school communities.
Goal #1: Improve Student Achievement
Flexible course options, credit recovery programs, and personalized pathways help ensure every student has access to the support they need to graduate prepared for the future.
Goal #4: College and Career Readiness
Dual enrollment, Early College partnerships, and specialized career-focused coursework provide real-world learning opportunities and clearer pathways beyond high school.
What Comes Next
The Curriculum Committee will continue monitoring student engagement data, reviewing course offerings, and evaluating the virtual learning pilot.
District leaders will also return later this spring with additional updates on curriculum changes and learning opportunities planned for the next school year.
Want to Learn More?
Review the presentation materials.
Curriculum Committee meetings are open to the public and streamed/recorded online.
Agendas and meeting packets are available on the TCAPS website under Board of Education → Board & Committee Agendas.
Subscribe to have Curriculum Committee agendas emailed to you.
Learn more about TCAPS’ 2030 Vision strategic plan and how these initiatives support success for all HERE.
Read previous Curriculum Committee Spotlights.
“This week, photographers used negative space- the empty area around a subject- to create minimalism, direct the viewer’s focus and evoke emotions. By placing a subject on a simple background, they enhanced visual balance, scale, and added a ‘breathing room’ effect to the composition.
Congratulations to Quinn Kelloff, Lina Cruz, Brendan Bzdok, Keeley O’Brien, Lydia Johnson, Brynlee Kehrer, Lake Hickman, Luke Esper, Aiden Wolf, Rylee Corby, Aubrey Milliron, Josslyn Kochis, Emmy Bacheler, Krisslynn Beerman, Autumn Gregware, Sophia Anderson, Clara Begala, Madalyn Henfling and Maya Dorman.”
PC: West Middle School – TCAPS
TY FOR TCAPS 
Leave a comment