If the plan comes together as district officials have laid out, when the holidays arrive eighth-graders in the Norcross cluster will have a slew of options for the future.

Pinckneyville and Summerour middle schools this month are introducing new curriculum that is designed to focus on project-based learning and science, technology, engineering, arts and math as students prepare for the new Duke STEM High School, which is set to open next August. School and district leaders said the goal is to offer a type of learning that will better align with experiences expected in high school, college and the workplace.

For the first time, students from these schools will have the option of which high school they attend. Among the choices are the Junior Achievement Academy at Norcross High, the International Baccalaureate Program at Norcross High or the STEM focus available at the Duke STEM High School.