The Foothills School Board has approved a new high school course in journalism to be taught at Highwood High School in High River.

Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services Caroline Roberts says these locally developed courses come straight from the teachers.

She says the course has to be one that offers curriculum and outcomes that are not available through other courses offered in the division.

Teachers bring forward the course and it's then vetted by Alberta Education.

"We had a teacher that requested being able to offer this course, and this course was designed by a teacher from a different school division, and then it gets approved by the Board and then we can offer Journalism 15, 25 and 35," she explained.

Locally developed courses are aimed at accommodating the needs and interests of students and engaging those students at risk of leaving school early.