Two Hernando County high schools are offering new programs this fall.

Weeki Wachee and Brooksville Central high schools are bringing new curriculums to their campuses in an attempt to engage more students in new disciplines.

The programs are part of the school system's push to meet areas of need in the area workforce. 

At Weeki Wachee High, about 25 students have already signed up for its new teaching academy. Principal Troy Labarbara said students will get an in-depth look into teaching through in-class lectures and in-person internships. 

They also will have a chance to earn college credits. 

"I want to capture those people who want this as a career," Labarbara said. "(Students) who say this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. 

"They want to make the experiences that they had positive - sometimes they might have negative experiences. To turn that around in the future and make things great for students. To pay it forward." 

The program is designed as a four-year program but it is currently opened for freshman as well as other high school students. 

At Central, the Naval ROTC Department is offering a new Aerospace Technology program. 

Student will have a chance to acquire dual enrollment cerdit and get certified to fly drones and other unmanned aircraft. The school will have one class this year and add more in the future. 

"The number one goal for Hernando County is to get students post-secondary ready," said Central Principal Kelly Slusser, whose school has added a new program each of the last three years. "We do know that not all students are college bound and so we provide them other opportunities to learn different trades so they have options when they leave high school."

While this year's students for the aerospace technology program have already been selected, Weeki Wachee High School is still accepting applications for the teaching academy.