Guide to Enrolling in CAST Schools and Advanced Learning Academy for 2023–24

sachartermoms Leave a Comment
CAST Schools network partnership schools college career

CAST Schools (The Centers for Applied Science and Technology) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a network of five tuition-free, industry-led, career-themed high schools in San Antonio and one pre–K through 12th grade academy. CAST partners with local school districts to co-create public schools that help maximize options for students while preparing them to be college ready, career ready, and life ready. 

Each CAST school focuses on helping students discover their passion, explore careers and their community, and help build their forever network of friends all while having the opportunity to earn college credit and industry certificates. Each school also focuses on a set of high-demand, high-wage industries. Students choose a school based on career interest, setting personal goals and mastering learning concepts at their own pace. Students tackle real-world projects designed by local employers and work in teams alongside industry mentors.

The CAST Schools campuses are accepting applications for enrollment for the 2023–24 school year. Interested in visiting a CAST School? Each school will be hosting student-led tours and information sessions for students and parents. We have put together a guide to help you learn more about CAST Schools, including the pre–K through 12th grade Advanced Learning Academy (ALA), and the high schools, including CAST Tech High School, and CAST Med High School in San Antonio ISD; CAST STEM High School in Southwest ISD; CAST Lead High School in East Central ISD; and the newest campus, CAST Teach High School in Northside ISD. All CAST Schools are tuition-free and open to students across the greater Bexar County region.

About CAST Schools

Since its founding in San Antonio in 2017, CAST has become San Antonio’s #1 public school network preparing students for both college and career. CAST continues to partner with higher education institutions, businesses, and school districts to create campuses that offer state of the art, relevant education that gets students ready to launch successful careers. This video shares the origin story of the CAST Schools network.

The common elements of every CAST school include project-based learning, work-based learning, and experiential learning. Each campus has its own areas of specialization. At CAST Schools, students learn about careers and have access to mentors who work in those fields. Partnerships with universities and relevant local businesses create access to college credit courses and certifications, as well as internships that offer real world experiences. Examples of travel experiences include H.E. Butt Foundation camps, visiting colleges and universities, and traveling to Mexico City and Puebla, Mexico. 

Each CAST campus has a different focus and set of learning pathways.

Advanced Learning Academy

Advanced Learning Academy (ALA) opened in 2016 in San Antonio ISD and is a PK–12 academy. Students prepare for any future that they can envision for themselves. At ALA, teachers collaborate to create a personalized learning experience for your child to foster a passion for exploration, deep thinking, problem-solving, and creative design.

CAST Tech

CAST Tech opened in 2017 in San Antonio ISD and offers pathways in business, technology, and user experience (UX). Students prepare for careers in coding, cyber security, gaming, entrepreneurship, business, and more. CAST Tech is accepting rising 9th and 10th grade students for the 2023–24 school year.

CAST STEM

CAST STEM opened in 2018 in Southwest ISD and focuses on careers in engineering, advanced manufacturing, and global logistics. CAST STEM is accepting rising 9th and 10th grade students for the 2023–24 school year. This video celebrates the first graduating class from CAST STEM High School.

CAST Med

CAST Med opened in 2019 in San Antonio ISD and offers pathways in biomedical research, medical professions, and public health. CAST Med is a dual language school, and is accepting rising 9th and 10th grade students for the 2023–24 school year.

CAST Lead

CAST Lead opened in 2020 in East Central ISD focusing on retail leadership, hospitality and tourism leadership, and e-commerce. CAST Lead is accepting rising 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students for the 2023–24 school year. This video is an introduction to CAST Lead.

CAST Teach

CAST Teach opened in August 2022 in Northside ISD and is dedicated to preparing students for careers in education. CAST Teach is accepting rising 9th and 10th grade students for the 2023–24 school year. Get a peek at CAST Teach in this video.

To read more about CAST Schools in the news, we recommend that you click on the articles linked at the bottom of this post and visit the CAST Schools newsroom. Also, we invite you to join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook and ask questions; the group includes current CAST Schools families who can comment with answers based on their own experiences.

CAST Campuses in San Antonio

In 2023–24, CAST Schools will have six schools in the San Antonio region through partnerships with four local independent school districts.

Download the free San Antonio Charter Schools app for an interactive map that includes these campuses and many more. You can also find campus information about CAST Schools (and many other schools of choice) in our Guide to Charter Schools in San Antonio.

Math class at CAST Tech in September 2019

Enroll at CAST Schools

The process for families to enroll their children at CAST campuses is slightly different for each district partner.

CAST Lead at East Central ISD

Families can apply online to enroll their rising 8th, 9th, and 10th grade students at CAST Lead. Open enrollment for the 2023–24 school year will begin on October 31, 2022 and close on January 17, 2023. Register for upcoming tours and information sessions.

CAST Teach at Northside ISD

Families can apply online to enroll their rising 9th and 10th grade students at CAST Teach. Open enrollment for the 2023–24 school year will begin on November 28, 2022 and close on January 13, 2023. Register for upcoming tours and information sessions.

Advanced Learning Academy, CAST Med, and CAST Teach at San Antonio ISD

Families can apply online to enroll their children at ALA, CAST Med, and CAST Tech. Open enrollment will begin on October 31, 2022 and close on January 17, 2023. Find more information in our enrollment guide for SAISD Choice Schools. Register for upcoming tours and information sessions.

CAST STEM at Southwest ISD

Families can apply online to enroll their rising 9th and 10th grade students at CAST STEM. Open enrollment for the 2023–24 school year will begin on October 31, 2022 and close on January 17, 2023. Register for upcoming tours and informations sessions.

CAST Schools Map

Even if the open enrollment period has passed, families can still contact the schools to find out if there are open seats. The schools keep waiting lists of students who are interested in enrolling.

During application season, there will be information sessions, school tours, and other events in the community for families to learn more about CAST Schools. Learn more about these events by visiting the Apply Now page and clicking on the tab for each school. On that page, you can also sign up for email updates.

We also recommend following these CAST Schools social media accounts:

In addition, please join the San Antonio Charter Moms discussion group on Facebook to post questions and search previous discussions about CAST Schools.

Entrance to CAST Tech High School in San Antonio

Facts About CAST Schools

The mentorship program at CAST Tech demonstrates the benefits of the CAST Schools model. The mentoring component brings career role models into students’ lives. Also, by staying in close contact with people who work in technology, the curriculum stays relevant and students are better prepared to enter the workforce at a high level.

CAST Tech students get to work on projects for real clients. It’s low-cost labor for the businesses—just the opportunity cost of the time spent supervising the students—and helps the students build a portfolio. The students get to “job shadow”—like going on a field trip, but to visit a business. CAST teachers also do externships to learn from the businesses and bring that knowledge back to the classrooms. 

Meeting with mentors helps students learn soft skills like how to welcome a guest, using email (rather than a messenger app) to schedule a meeting, and how to listen and ask thoughtful questions during a group session. This video shares more information about mentoring at CAST Tech.

The architecture at CAST Tech is more professional than academic. There are still classrooms, but there are also lots of flexible meeting spaces for small groups. A large foyer is filled with wide stairs that can turn into an impromptu auditorium. 

On the bottom floor of CAST Tech, the teachers who specialize in cutting edge technology have classrooms and labs to fit the students’ needs. Students on the technology pathway work in a classroom with a raised floor, like you would see in a commercial data center. They work on racks of servers and study for certifications like Red Hat Linux. Students on the user experience (UX) pathway work in a classroom that looks like a design studio with artwork and prototypes on the walls. On desktop computers, they work on projects involving game design and web design.

The first graduating class of CAST Tech share their reflections in this video.

CAST Schools offer free transportation to students through their district partners.

The CAST Schools campuses have so many partnerships with businesses and universities that it’s a challenge to summarize, but one key partnership is TechBloc and CAST Tech. Also, H-E-B and the Charles Butt Foundation have been consistent supporters of CAST Schools.

Charter Moms Chats

Watch a panel of CAST Schools students, including Michael Velasquez, a senior at Advanced Learning Academy; Trinity Williams, a sophomore at CAST Tech High School; and Adrian Hernandez, a senior at CAST STEM High School, speak with Inga Cotton on Charter Moms Chats on October 13, 2022 at 4:00 PM Central live on Facebook and YouTube.

Michael Velasquez is a senior at Advanced Learning Academy in San Antonio ISD.

Trinity Williams is a junior at CAST Tech High School in San Antonio ISD.

Adrian Hernandez is a senior at CAST STEM High School in Southwest ISD.

Read More About CAST Schools

Share with friends:

sachartermoms

A nonprofit that helps parents to research school options and become advocates for high quality education.

More Posts Twitter Facebook