A closer look
The Tomball Star Academy Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools program received a grant from Educate Texas at the Communities Foundation of Texas, according to the news release. The grant will be used to expand the program’s course offerings to include new pathways, including:
- Health information technology
- Medical administrative support
- Medical administrative services-medical front desk
The Tomball Star Academy P-TECH program is run by a partnership between LSC-Tomball, TISD and HCA Healthcare Tomball, according to the news release. Leaders at the Tomball Star Academy P-TECH program will also consider using the grant to extend certificate programs to other LSC campuses and nearby school districts.
What they’re saying
Claire Murphy, a P-TECH student who aims to be a pediatrician, said in the release she believes the program is critical to her future success.
“My experience has been rewarding and allowed us [students] to work with and learn from industry professionals, gaining the necessary experience to benefit us in the future,” Murphy said. “We are strengthening our discipline, time management and communications skills, all needed to be successful despite our different paths.”
Learn more
Originally launching last fall, the P-TECH program began with an enrollment of 25 ninth graders, according to the news release. The program requires students to study curriculum from LSC-Tomball and shadow medical professionals at HCA Healthcare Tomball.
The Communities Foundation of Texas is headquartered in Dallas and aims to strengthen public education and higher education institutions to better equip Texas students, according to the organization’s website.
