SAISD SPOTLIGHT: SAISD Foundation “Beat the Heat” college visits for alumni

SAISD and the SAISD Foundation have made significant strides in addressing a critical issue that impacts many of our students: summer melt—the phenomenon where students who intend to enroll in college after high school, but for various reasons, do not. 

San Antonio ISD serves a predominantly economically disadvantaged student body, with 89% of students identified as economically disadvantaged. Furthermore, 81% of SAISD students are the first in their families to attend college. This high percentage of first-generation college students creates a unique set of challenges for both graduates and their families. Many of our students do not have the support systems in place—whether in the form of family knowledge or previous personal experience—to navigate the college enrollment process effectively. In fact, only 19% of parents and guardians of SAISD students have ever participated in a college course, further highlighting the need for targeted intervention. The program's main feature is the guided campus visit, which allows students to experience college campuses firsthand with the help of trained Postsecondary Navigators (PSNs).

 

During these visits, students receive hands-on assistance to complete essential tasks such as:
- Sending high school transcripts
- Submitting test scores
- Addressing financial aid verification
- Setting up accommodations through Student Accessibility Services

 

The “Beat the Heat” bus will roll out to local universities on these dates:
June 26 (Thurs) – Texas A&M – San Antonio 
12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., One University Way, 78224 

 

July 15 (Mon) – UTSA Downtown Campus
9 a.m. to noon, 501 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd., 78207

July 16 (Tues) – University of the Incarnate Word
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4301 Broadway, 78209

Additional trips to Alamo Colleges District campuses also are scheduled. 

Calendar item 

June 14 (Sat) – SAISD familia at the Juneteenth Parade
10 a.m. to noon, Sam Houston High School, 4635 E. Houston St., 78220
SAISD is participating in the 26th Annual Juneteenth Parade that is organized by the Juneteenth Freedom Coalition of San Antonio. The parade starts at Sam Houston High School and ends at Comanche Park. The Sam Houston Hurricanes marching band will once again lead the Juneteenth Parade procession. The SAISD Families and Community Engagement team is gathering a group of SAISD students and staff to join the annual event.