This Mother’s Day, I want to thank all the moms out there. Our hope at CAST Schools is that our schools act as a true partnership between families or caregivers, students, and educators – all in service of the young people we love achieving their full potential.

Both my own children graduated from the Advanced Learning Academy, a CAST School, and both entered college exceptionally well prepared. I remember vividly the day we dropped my daughter off for college, less than three years ago. She graduates in less than two weeks with her bachelor’s degree in math – one year ahead because she earned so many college credits in high school.

Her experience is not unique: many of our first graduating classes from CAST Tech and CAST STEM have also completed college degrees in less than 4 years; we expect to see the same at CAST Med and CAST Lead in the coming years. 

I am even more proud of other qualities she acquired while in high school.

In the past few weeks, I have had multiple opportunities to attend senior presentations of learning, senior dinners, and senior decision days. I watch the way students across our CAST high schools articulately present complex ideas to adults, engage in thoughtful dialogue, and carry themselves with poise. It is not just me who notices these qualities. At every one of these events, our students are surrounded by caring adults who appreciate the journey they have been on, and cheer their success. Regardless of whether our students go to college, finish college early, or go straight to work, these young people have built a network of caring adults, and they are ready to lead.

As a parent, there is nothing else I want more for my own children – and our community.

Jeanne Russell

Executive Director

CAST Schools