SAC Collaborates in New College High School Partnership with San Antonio School District
January 19, 2021
Dr. Robert Vela, president of San Antonio College, joined in the announcement that the college will collaborate with the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) in a new high school program where students will receive associate degrees in business.
The announcement was made as the SAISD held a grand opening celebration on the creation of three Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) programs. The three schools will be the P-TECH School of Business, located at Edison High School; Highlands P-TECH at Highlands High School; and Construction Science P-TECH at Sidney Lanier High School.
According to SAISD, the P-TECH programs are structured to support at-risk and historically disadvantaged students. The P-TECH schools will give students the education to pursue high-wage, high-demand jobs.
The new high school programs, which begin in Fall 2021, will allow students to receive an associate degree at the same time they graduate from high school. The programs also include industry partnerships so students will be eligible for internships and job shadowing opportunities with local businesses in related fields.
SAC will work with the Edison P-TECH School of Business to provide dual-credit courses so students will graduate with either an associate of arts degree in business administration or an associate of applied science in accounting technology.
“When a student achieves success by graduating from one of the P-TECH programs, things begin to change,” said Dr. Vela, who added that the students’ success has a positive effect on their families and in the community.
He added that the Edison P-TECH Schools will fill a need for workers in the area of finance in the city.
SAC has also partnered with SAISD with the Pathways in the Healthcare Technology Early College High School at Fox Tech High School, one of the first two P-TECH programs created two years ago.
In addition, SAC and SAISD collaborate at Travis Early College High School, located next door to SAC. Travis was recognized as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School.
SAC is also partners with the Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) schools, a network of tuition free, industry-led, career-themed high schools in San Antonio. SAC provides dual credit classes at CAST Tech High School, housed at Fox Tech High School. CAST Tech High Schools students will graduate with college courses in coding, cybersecurity, gaming, and entrepreneurship.
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