Paint Branch is part of the Northeast Consortium (NEC). Students who reside within the NEC boundaries participate in the Choice process. Students and parents rank their preferred high schools for school assignment and are assigned to one of 3 high schools via lottery: James Hubert Blake, Paint Branch or Springbrook. The NEC website describes programs at the three schools and the Choice process.
All Paint Branch students participate in the Science and Media Signature program, learning essential skills which transfer to academic, work and personal situations. Research, experimentation and hands-on learning are infused throughout the challenging academic program. Academies complement and enrich the Signature program, giving students learning opportunities via the Gilder Lehrman American History Scholars Program, Academy of Finance, Academy of Engineering, and Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC).