Local schools might be in for major changes aimed at helping tailor school curricula to individual student needs.

Students at Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools could see major changes in the system's structure because of a proposed reform of area high schools.

The high school reform committee believes restructuring local high schools is necessary to meet the diverse needs of students.

The reform would help gifted students feel less pressure to cram AP courses into their schedules and would help students feel less pressure to attend a four-year college, giving them the option to learn more trade-oriented skills.

Chapel Hill high school freshman Alexander Koch said he feels the pressures of getting into college.

"They don't really give you any options. Basically it's like, 'If you don't go to college, you know, you're going to be working for McDonalds' is what they say," Koch said.

The committee recommends that high schools increase course flexibility, allowing for more opportunities to pursue non-academic electives, internships and apprenticeships.

The school reform committee will present recommendations to the board of education in March, but major changes won't take effect before the 2005 school year.