Raines Academy is Katy ISD’s alternative high school for students in grades 9-12, offering a project-based learning environment to support students who may be at risk of not graduating, Principal Richard Merriman said at the June 23 board meeting.
How it works
The program is designed to prepare students for careers in water treatment, operations and maintenance, as Texas’ population—projected to grow to 52 million over the next several decades—continues to drive demand for skilled professionals in water management, according to the release.
The one-year program is divided between classroom instruction during the fall semester and hands-on field experience during the spring semester, according to the Raines Academy website.
“Students will be able to begin working in this field, potentially before they graduate, in a career that supports our wider community and offers them the chance to grow,” said Jeannie Knierim, KISD career and technical education director, in the release.
According to the release, Inframark reports entry-level positions in the water industry start at approximately $43,600 annually, with potential to earn up to $66,000 within five years through additional certifications.
Also of note
While the program is housed at Raines Academy, Merriman said senior students from other campuses can join the water operations program with scheduling adjustments made by their home campus; however, the program requires that students be in person since they are going to be shuttled to the job sites.
At the end of the course, the district will finance and prepare students for the state licensing exam, per the release.
Zooming out
The Academy, which opened in 2022 and serves up to 750 students annually, is one of the few schools in Texas to offer commercial driver’s license training in addition to a two-year dual-credit real estate license program.
As part of the Katy Student Work Program, students can have a part-time district job in transportation, custodial, food service or technology while doing their high school degree programming, Merriman said.
Since the 2023-24 school year, 79 students have completed their CDL license, while 20 students have completed their dual-credit real estate program, Merriam said.
Next steps
Interested students can complete the program information request form, and a school counselor will contact them, according to the Raines Academy website.
Interested students and families can learn more about the program on the district website.
