July 31, 2014 – The Houston ISD FUTURES Academy will recognize 84 students who earned an associate’s degree or work certification from Houston Community College at a graduation ceremony as part of the academy’s mission to prepare students for job opportunities in high-demand technical fields. The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 7 at Houston Community College Southwest, 5601 W. Loop South.

HISD opened five FUTURES academies two years ago, and this is the first graduating class. The graduation will recognize students from the Academy of Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Booker T. Washington High School, the Academy of Engineering Technology at Furr High School, the Academy of Process Technology at Kashmere High School, the Academy of Network & Computer Administration at Scarborough High School, and the Academy of Logistics & Global Supply at Sterling High School.

Over the summer, 59 students in the program earned an associate’s degree in applied science, while 25 students received a Level I Certificate in workforce programs such as technology, computer administration, and engineering. Through a partnership with HCC and most recently, the University of Texas MD Anderson School of Health Professions, students are able to receive college credit, career training, and industry credentials to provide them with options for a promising future after completing high school.

“The students who graduate from the FUTURES Academy will leave this program more skilled and ready to begin a career in a high-demand field or to continue their education at a four-year university,” said FUTURES Academy Assistant Superintendent Michael Love. “Whatever choice they make, they are well-equipped to be successful in the next step of their life.”

Next week, a FUTURES Academy Enrichment Week will be held for rising 10th grade students interested in applying for the academy, which also includes FUTURES academies in pharmacy, health science careers and construction technology at Long Academy, Jones High School, and Westside High School. The students will participate in a session to prepare for college readiness exams and visit Junior Achievement’s Finance Park, an interactive community with business models created to teach students about career readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.