When CAST Schools opened in 2017, we had a vision for hands-on, career-connected high schools to give young people in our community an opportunity to explore high-demand, high-wage jobs in the San Antonio region, and earn college credits and industry-recognized certifications while exploring their future goals and setting a purpose.
After the Advanced Learning Academy joined our network in 2019, we recognized how much we can learn from elementary school, and how practices such as outdoor learning, multi-aged groups, and even stations within a classroom can also have benefits in a high school setting. In 2021, we took some of these lessons when we added an 8th grade at CAST Lead, also giving those students a jump start on high school.
This week SAISD’s board formally approved amending CAST School’s charter agreement to create a new middle school co-created at CAST Med High School, at Brooks on the southern tip of the school district. We’re so excited at the opportunity to engage the Southside community and prospective middle school students and parents, in focus groups and discussions about a hands-on STEAM middle school that serves their interests and their needs. We will be engaging in a series of design conversations and will share the new middle school name and more about the student experience at a launch event on March 6 at 6 p.m.
If you know of a middle schooler who is interested in learning more, please join us at:
- SAISD 5th Grade Family Night: Monday Jan. 22, Alamo Convocation Center, 6-8 p.m.
- CAST Med Family Information Nights: Tuesdays, Feb. 16 and 30, 6-7:30 p.m., CAST Med High School
- Girls Inc. Rock-IT into the Future Science Festival, Sat. Feb. 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., CAST Med High School.
Students can apply to enroll at the new middle school, opening to 6th graders and 8th graders in August 2024, here.
Jeanne Russell
Executive Director
CAST Schools
