
Welcome to the CAST Schools Network Blog
CAST Insights highlights reflections from our network. Learn from our educators, students and partners as they work to reinvent schooling in order to maximize options for students.
Pioneering African American Studies at the Advanced Learning Academy
Zach Wilson started teaching at the Advanced Learning Academy four years ago as an intern with Trinity University. Today, he is part of the pioneering group of educators in the San Antonio Independent School District teaching African American Studies to 9th through 12th graders. This is the first year that African American Studies is being
- Published in CAST Insights
My Journey to ALA | Julen Navarrete
My name is Julen Blas Navarrete, a senior at the Advanced Learning Academy. Also known as ALA. I first heard about the Advanced Learning Academy in the fall of 2015. I previously attended Austin academy which is now the pre-k through 3rd grade Euclid campus. I was intrigued by the prospect of attending ALA because
- Published in CAST Insights, Student Voice
Community Labs Begins Weekly COVID-19 Testing at CAST STEM and CAST Lead
- Published in CAST Insights

Series of Conversations Between the CAST Community and San Antonio Leaders.
CAST LIVE is a series of conversations between the CAST school community and San Antonio leaders. Guests share their stories of hope and resilience while answering questions from both students and educators.
CAST LIVE: Renewable Energy Summit at CAST STEM
- Published in CAST LIVE, CAST STEM EVENTS, EVENTS
“Tafolla Toro, Three Years of Fear”
- Published in CAST LIVE, CAST Med Update, EVENTS, Student Voice
Students from CAST Schools Shared Their Summer Internship Experiences
- Published in CAST LIVE, Student Voice

Press
CAST Schools in the News. The latest articles and stories on the CAST Schools Network and affiliated schools.
San Antonio Charter Moms: Why Mentorship Matters to San Antonio Companies and the CAST Schools Network
Katie Chain, Education and Workforce Program Manager at H-E-B, and Jason Salazar, a senior at CAST Tech High School, joined San Antonio Charter Moms for a conversation on the benefits of mentorship. “Currently we have over 20 H-E-B Partners mentoring students at CAST Tech, in departments and jobs ranging from Own Brand Packaging and Design to UX
KENS 5 – CODING Kids
KENS 5 Erica Zucco interviewed CAST Tech students Timiera and Thomas to learn how their internships with Plus One Robotics and DOCUMation are helping them explore their career interests.
- Published in Press
CAST STEM and CAST Med to Partner with Communities in Schools
Communities In Schools of San Antonio Receives $1 Million Dollar Grant from USAA to Advance Racial Equity and Future Workforce Development San Antonio, Tx. – January 28, 2021- Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CIS-SA), an organization that connects students with community resources critical to their well-being and success, recently received a $1 million dollar
- Published in CAST Med Update, Press
Events at CAST Schools
Learn more about upcoming events at CAST.
Free Tax Preparation at CAST Tech High School
IRS-trained and certified CAST Tech students prepare your tax returns for FREE. As part of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in San Antonio), CAST Tech student volunteers underwent a minimum of 20 hours of training and passed an IRS exam. Students are able to offer free tax help to individuals, in-person, with a $65,000
- Published in EVENTS
CAST Med In-Person Tours and Virtual Information Sessions
CAST Med High School is still accepting incoming 9th- and 10th-grade students for the 2021-2022 school year! Students at CAST Med are built around caring, supportive relationships. Our small class sizes allow students to co-create a learning plan, solve problems with real-world implications, all while preparing for college and meaningful careers in medicine, public health,
- Published in CAST Med Update, EVENTS
CAST LIVE: Renewable Energy Summit at CAST STEM
- Published in CAST LIVE, CAST STEM EVENTS, EVENTS