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A committee of industry leaders, school superintendents and workforce development experts proposed the CAST model after studying innovative high school models across Texas and the nation.
In June of 2016, Charles Butt and H-E-B announced they would provide startup funds to develop the CAST Network and its first school, CAST Tech, in partnership with San Antonio ISD and Tech Bloc, a technology economy advocacy movement, as well as a core group of local employers. San Antonio College and UTSA rounded out the partners.
Today, CAST schools is a network of 5 high schools, one middle school, and one pre-k-12 academy directly serving 2,000 students. By incubating new approaches to teaching and learning in the four independent school districts in which they operate, CAST schools also impact more than 170,000 students. Since beginning in 2017, CAST celebrates over 800 alumni.
CAST Schools are built in partnership with public schools. Today, CAST Schools are a network of 7 schools in four (4) different school districts, East Central ISD, Northside ISD, Southwest ISD, and San Antonio ISD. Former San Antonio ISD Superintendent Pedro Martinez was the very first to take a leap of faith in CAST Schools. During our first annual CAST Champions event, Superintendent Martinez shared why he was the first superintendent to believe in CAST Schools.
Working with industry provides students at CAST with the opportunity to gain authentic learning experiences, connect to jobs, and have hands-on learning in fields that are fast-changing. David Heard, Tech Bloc CEO and CAST Schools Board Member shares why building a high-tech high school downtown meets a critical need for the tech industry.
Dr. Melissa Alcala, CAST Tech Principal, shares how the school’s industry advisory board, and the over 100 partners at each CAST School, help extend experiences for students beyond the four walls of the classroom.
All CAST Schools are open to students across the Bexar County region. Judge Nelson Wolff, a champion for education in Bexar County, shares how CAST Schools are important to regional economic development.
Graham Weston, one of the original founders of Rackspace and Chairman of the Board of the 80/20 Foundation, had a vision of creating an ecosystem downtown where people can work, live, and play in order to create a scene for the tech community and other industries. Mr. Weston shares how CAST is helping transform San Antonio as a place to work, live and play.
As Chief Information Officer for H-E-B, Gavin Gallagher never missed a meeting when CAST Tech was being built. Mr. Gallagher shares why he dedicated so much time to the creation of this flagship high school and why H-E-B is such a committed supporter of CAST Schools.
Kate Rogers, The Alamo Trust Executive Director, and CAST Schools Founding Board Chair, helped launch CAST Tech High School. As CAST Schools celebrates the first graduating class of CAST Tech High School, Ms. Rogers shares her reflections on how the network’s vision is now a reality.
The Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) Network is a tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. CAST Schools are partnership schools with a focus on STEM careers, project based learning and work-based learning. Key partners include public school districts, higher education institutions, and local employers from target industries.
