The Importance of Apprenticeships and Internships

In May, during national Apprentice Week, CAST hosted a panel for seniors from CAST Med, CAST Tech and the Advanced Learning Academy. Employers including Accenture and the YWCA shared opportunities for young adults to continue learning while working 30 hours a week, with benefits, and with guarantees of wage increases at training milestones.   CAST… Continue reading The Importance of Apprenticeships and Internships

2024 Summer Boost Report across CAST Schools

In 2022, Bloomberg designed Summer Boost in response to COVID-related learning loss to support students over a five-week period in advancing academic progress in English Language Arts (ELA) and math while providing engaging enrichment opportunities. Bloomberg Philanthropies launched its inaugural Summer Boost program in New York City and then expanded to Baltimore, Birmingham, Indianapolis, Memphis,… Continue reading 2024 Summer Boost Report across CAST Schools

CAST Lead Hosts an Exciting Week with Summer Studio Camp

This past week, CAST Lead High School has been hosting its “Summer Studio” camp, where students can engage in hands-on project-based learning to prepare them for the upcoming school year. This year’s camp had students involved in a variety of games and activities throughout the camp, highlighting CAST’s four pillars along the way: Relationships, Equity,… Continue reading CAST Lead Hosts an Exciting Week with Summer Studio Camp

Closing the Opportunity Gap

CAST opened its first school, CAST Tech High School, in 2017, and we incorporated as a nonprofit with 2 employees in 2018. Since that time, we have grown to a network of 5 career-themed high schools in 4 school districts, a Pre-K through 12 Academy, and we will open our first middle school this August.… Continue reading Closing the Opportunity Gap

Welcome to Summer!

Summer is a bit slower in the world of schools, except CAST is hosting a wide range of summer programs across our schools.  Stay tuned here for photos and stories from each school as they engage in hands-on experiences to expose more young people to what it feels like to be a CAST student.   … Continue reading Welcome to Summer!

CAST STEM Continues Summer Learning with Adventure Camp

This week, CAST STEM kicked off its Adventure Camp with younger prospective students. Over the course of the adventure camp, CAST STEM has partnered with its industry partners to take these students on respective field trips in order to showcase the vast career potential that comes with an education in STEM. On Wednesday, CAST STEM… Continue reading CAST STEM Continues Summer Learning with Adventure Camp

Graduation Season Continues across CAST Schools

Friday night, we opened graduation season, celebrating the inaugural class of CAST Lea. Hearing the three student speakers describe their evolution over 4 years brought tears to my eyes.   Senior Bradley Ahr closed out the event with these powerful words: “I want to share that I am a high-functioning individual with autism, showcasing that… Continue reading Graduation Season Continues across CAST Schools

CAST Schools and San Antonio ISD Announce New Principals at Advanced Learning Academy

Current Associate Principal Dr. Maricela Alarcón has been promoted to Principal of the Advanced Learning Academy 4th-12th grade campus. Additionally, Jennifer Barber, presently serving as Associate Principal, has been promoted to Principal of the Advanced Learning Academy prek-3rd grade campus. While the two campuses will operate with their own Principals, ALA will continue to function… Continue reading CAST Schools and San Antonio ISD Announce New Principals at Advanced Learning Academy

Reflecting on an Eventful School Year across the CAST Network

Recently, I was jogging down the street of my parents’ home, and as I waited for the cars to pass, a crossing guard waved me across, gave me a beautiful smile, and wished me a good day.   My youngest graduates next week from the Advanced Learning Academy, and he drives himself to school, but… Continue reading Reflecting on an Eventful School Year across the CAST Network

Made in SA – The Advanced Learning Academy

As schools across the CAST Network prepare for upcoming graduations, the Advanced Learning Academy (ALA)’s goodbyes are a bit more personal. Because the Advanced Learning Academy is a K-12 school with 2 different campuses, for some students this is the only school they have ever known. These teachers have seen their students grow up in… Continue reading Made in SA – The Advanced Learning Academy