In one of the fastest-growing U.S. economies and one of the most racially and economically segregated cities, The Centers for Applied Sciences and Technology | CAST Schools is showing the power of investing in San Antonio’s young people.
As a network of tuition-free, five career-themed high schools, one middle school, and one Pre-K to 12 Academy, CAST is dedicated to closing the gap on income inequality and nurturing San Antonio’s homegrown talent.
Reinvent schooling to maximize opportunities for students while preparing them for college AND careers.
Create exemplars to address San Antonio’s persistent educational challenges and income inequality across all school districts.
By graduation, students will earn:
A minimum of 9 transferable college credits
At least one industry recognized certificate
Internship experience
Co-created as a regional partnership between independent school districts, higher education institutions, and local employers, CAST offers a new model of teaching and learning that supports students’ college and career goals and connects them with high-demand, high-growth, high wage jobs.
Industry and other community leaders are equal stakeholders in school design and governance; they collaborate and work alongside students and co-create everything from projects to school curriculum and schedule.
As a community, we help all students reach their full potential. Our schools are intentionally diverse and integrated, and our enrollment practices create schools that reflect the communities we serve. We use data to drive continuous improvement and to ensure that every child's needs are seen and met.
Students act as co-creators and co-problem solvers at the school and beyond, offering ideas, posing new questions, and authentically engaging in their education. Student-led learning promotes effective collaboration, development of leadership skills and the development of self-management, goal setting, self-advocacy, and student agency.
Student learning is connected to real-world needs outside the school walls; students travel to the workspace and design relevant projects for real audiences with competitions, presentations, and other authentic exhibitions of learning.
At CAST, we believe that authentic learning experiences results in the development of students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Our instructional models are designed to achieve this goal.
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.