RENO -- Some high school students are getting a head start for their potential professional careers.

The Washoe County School District is currently accepting applications from eighth graders for their Signature Academies… specified learning departments inside each of the districts high schools.

Reno High School Web Design teacher Matt Mackay says the academies are a huge benefit.

“Many of the students here will leave here with industry certifications,” says Mackay. “Which puts them as a highly qualified employee for some company that’s eager to get them.”

For example, the Reno High School academy is all about digital technology, so students are learning graphic design, web design and photography.

And if you think that’s a lot, its only one of twelve programs in the entire district.

Some students in the digital technology academy, otherwise known as the Red House Project, are interested in video game design.

“I’m really into the whole idea behind technology,” says Freshman Logan Long. “I think that’s sort of what the industry is moving towards so I thought what better place to go than Reno where they have this great program they are offering.”

District Director of Talent Acquisition and Development Nita Losoponkul says other programs in the district include performing arts, health, media and global studies.

“Students have a great opportunity to learn a lot of different areas,” says Losoponkul. “This new process allows students to go to pretty much any high school they want to get into, they just have to apply into an academy that they’re interested in.”

Mackay says not every student knows what their future holds, but exposure to a variety of new interests  is beneficial.

“It at least introduces them to something they are interested in at this point in time,” says Mackay. “If it’s something that they peruse later in life, that’s even better, if not it at least exposes them to increased technology.”

And for the students not interested in any signature academies, they cannot lose their seat inside the high school closest to home.