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Healthcare Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or H-TECH, at Fox Tech High School, a magnet school, has made its debut in 2020-2021 as the second Pathways in Technology Early College High School in San Antonio (P-TECH). It's focus is on preparing students with the skills, credentials and an industry-specific associate degree necessary for high-demand careers in nursing and healthcare.
Under the model, within four to six years (depending on the track chosen), students will be able to earn their high school diploma as well as an Associate of Science degree and/or certification in Patient Care Technician, or Pharmacy Technician . Students will also complete work-based training through internships, apprenticeships or other job-training programs.
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In the first four years of the program, students will split their time between Fox Tech and San Antonio Community College. The last one to two years of the program will be spent exclusively on the San Antonio College campus.
The program at Fox Tech will be under the school’s Health Professions Magnet program. The program will feature it's first 9th grade cohort in the school year of 2020-2021, and will ultimately include 9-12th graders, with a new grade being phased in each year.
The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 22 in 2017, paving the way for school districts to work with the Texas Education Agency to launch P-TECH programs. In the P-TECH model, schools partner with Texas institutions of higher education and regional businesses and industries, giving students post-secondary education and workforce training opportunities.
Education Partner
H-TECH at Fox Tech High School will partner with San Antonio College within the Alamo Colleges District, pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. San Antonio College began offering classes to aspiring nurses in 1967 and now, the program is the largest educator for registered nurses in San Antonio.
Through San Antonio College, H-TECH students will have the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science (AS) Degree, which will accelerate a student's career in Nursing. Upon successful completion of the H-TECH program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) authorized by and administered through the Texas Board of Nursing. Upon passing the exam, the graduate will be a registered nurse in the State of Texas and ready to begin a career in the nursing profession.
Industry Partners
Students will have the opportunity to learn from our industry partners at Metropolitan Methodist Health System and University Health System, gain real-world experience through mentorships, job shadowing, internships, professional skills development and field experiences. Students who complete the program will have priority in interviewing with participating employers.
Student Enrollment
H-TECH operates under the school’s Health Professions Magnet program. The application period for the second class of 50 ninth-graders will start November 2020. The school is based on 100 percent open enrollment, with no barriers for attendance.
The program is led by E. Lynn Hernandez, H-TECH Coordinator at Fox Tech High School 210-738-9730 Ext 34024.
Advantages
Students will work with top-notch companies who will partner as instructors and mentors. Students will also be trained to become more self-aware, emotionally healthy, persistent and resilient. Pathways Technology Early College High Schools represent the best of what public-private partnerships can look like, with students taking high school and college coursework simultaneously and engaging in industry-guided workforce development.
last updated 02/14/20