Nov. 30, 2023 – San Antonio ISD and Alamo Colleges announced today the Healthcare Pathways in Technology Early College High School, or H-TECH, program will now offer incoming ninth-grade applicants at Fox Tech High School the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree with a Registered Nursing Certification.  

The new program responds to a growing need for nurses in the San Antonio area and removes barriers for degree-seeking students, fast-tracking them into high-paying medical positions including registered nurse and nurse manager. It’s projected that there will be an annual average of over 26,000 local registered nursing positions needed by 2030, about an 18.3% increase compared to averages in 2020.

“The Alamo Colleges is proud of this collaboration's positive impact on our community as we partner to achieve our moonshot of ending poverty through education and training. This collaboration will create pathways to success for countless high school students and meet the needs of the future medical job market,” said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor.

“This new program aligns perfectly with San Antonio College’s mission to create academic pathways for students to attain an excellent career once they complete their education,” said SAC President Dr. Naydeen González-De Jesús. “At the same time, the program will meet the growing need for nurses in San Antonio.” 

The program is made possible through partnerships between SAISD and San Antonio College, along with Methodist Hospital Metropolitan and University Health. H-TECH at Fox Tech students can earn a high school diploma, an associate of applied science degree, and choose to complete industry-based certifications in patient care technician, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, or EKG technician – at no cost.   

“We are committed to providing life-changing educational opportunities for our students,” said SAISD Superintendent Jamie Aquino. “As we deepen our partnership with San Antonio College, this new degree plan will remove financial barriers for families of students seeking a nursing career.”

Once students complete the six-year H-TECH program, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). After passing the exam, graduates will be registered nurses in the State of Texas and can complete a Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) in one additional year, instead of two – lowering a student’s financial burden while adding to their continued higher education and earning potential.
 
“It's the first program of its kind in Texas. We're really excited about it,” said SAISD Fox Tech High School Principal Jennifer Benavides. “This is an opportunity for us to serve our community and provide nursing jobs with our partners for our students right here in San Antonio.”

With the new degree plan, H-TECH students start taking dual-credit courses in ninth grade and can complete the entire Associate of Applied Science nursing program, along with prerequisites for a Bachelor of Science in nursing, by their sixth year. Directly aligning with an Alamo Colleges District RN-BSN pathway, students split their time between Fox Tech High School and San Antonio College, with the last two years spent exclusively on the college campus.

Committed to offering hands-on and lifelong-learning experiences, both Methodist Hospital Metropolitan and University Health provide students with state-of the art medical simulations, instruction by highly qualified nursing staff, and clinical rotations for certification requirements.   

“In my role as the Chief Nursing Officer at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan, representing our dedicated nursing teams and administrators, I am delighted to embark on this exciting partnership,” said Dr. Chadi Awad, Chief Nursing Officer for the Methodist Hospital Metropolitan. “Our shared commitment involves nurturing the nurses of the future by actively engaging in training, mentorship, and providing support throughout students' journeys. Together, we aim to empower these individuals to become proficient healthcare team members, dedicated to serving our communities effectively.”

“University Health is excited to engage in this transformative collaboration with SAISD Fox Tech High School and San Antonio College, as we are passionately dedicated to advancing our mission and legacy to serve and educate our community," said Dr. Charles Reed, Associate Chief Nursing Officer for University Health. “Students across our community will have the opportunity to learn about health care professions and train in state-of-the-art health care settings providing a foundation for professional growth. This innovative program will also foster future generations of nurses, which is critical to our rapidly growing community’s need for high quality compassionate care providers.”

Established in August 2020, the H-TECH program strives to keep students and the families it serves at the forefront of education and the health care industry.  

Applications to the new program for incoming ninth graders open Dec. 1. For more information and to apply, visit www.saisd.net/HTechNursing  

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About San Antonio ISD  
San Antonio ISD is as diverse and historically rich as the city whose name it shares. As San Antonio’s founding school district, SAISD neighborhood schools have served the heart of the Alamo City for more than 100 years. The district offers a wide variety of programs, including dual language, career exploration and college preparation. Along with traditional school models, it also offers academies comprising of non-traditional grade ranges such as Pre-K through eighth grade.

About San Antonio College
San Antonio College (SAC), part of the Alamo Colleges District, is among the largest, single-campus community colleges in Texas and the nation. In 2021, SAC received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges.

SAC has been designated as an official Hispanic Serving Institution and also serves the largest student veteran population in Texas and has earned a partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Founded in 1925, SAC offers courses in the Arts and Sciences and Professional/Technical Fields. SAC is also a leader in the field of online education. 

Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan is a 378-bed hospital that provides a complete range of health care services to residents of downtown San Antonio and the surrounding areas, including Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park. The campus includes a free-standing Women’s Pavilion, the only free-standing facility in downtown San Antonio completely dedicated to the health of women and their newborn babies. The hospital is known for its cardiovascular, orthopedic, and bariatric services, among others. In 2023, the hospital earned its 7th designation as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. 

University Health 
University Health is the only locally owned health system in San Antonio. For more than 100 years, University Health has been here to heal, improve health, train the next generation of medical professionals and ensure the people of San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas have access to primary and advanced specialty care close to home. Specialized services include the region’s only Level I trauma center for both adults and children, and maternal and neonatal intensive care centers designated at the highest levels by the State of Texas. As the region’s only academic health system, University Health is a hub of innovation and discovery, committed to delivering patient-centered, culturally competent, high-quality and compassionate care, based on a strong foundation of outcomes-based research and innovative teaching. Learn more at UniversityHealthSystem.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.