BY PARKS KUGLE
Zooming in
Looking ahead
Courses offered from NISD and NEISD Local districts have cultivated several programs to help students learn more about the tech industry, including internships, Advanced Placement programs and competitive teams.
North East ISD Superintendent Sean Maika said the district has over 50 industry-based certifica- tion pathways, including programs at the district’s magnet schools and the Institute of CyberSecurity & Innovation, or ICSI, which gives students the tools to enter high-paying industries at Port SA. “When we were conceptualizing ICSI, we co-produced that program with industry,” Maika said. “And so by co-producing it together, we created a really true, one-of-a-kind facility.” Deborah Ruel-Schaefer, the career and technical director at Northside ISD, said the district has technical programs beginning in fifth grade. “If we wait until kids start their first day in ninth grade in high school to talk about what they’re going to be, we’ve missed the boat on so much,” Ruel-Schaefer said. Port SA offers educational opportunities such as CyberPatriot competitions, a LAN gaming center, a museum and a variety of internships and summer programs in aerospace, cybersecurity and robotics.
Innovation Tower, Port SA’s first major development, is estimated to begin construction in 2026 and be completed in 2028. Sanchez said the development will continue to attract diverse employers. “I think the diversity probably out- shines any economic impact in terms of numbers and dollars,” Sanchez said. 80+ current employers on the campus 19,000 current employees throughout Port SA $9 billion in annual economic activity in San Antonio region 7 million square feet in real estate transactions since 2017 750,000 square feet of facilities built since 2017
Northside ISD:
Work-based learning experiences
Cyber Security with CompTIA certifications
Robotics and Engineering
Computer Science
North East ISD:
Institute of Cyber Security and Innovation
Engineering Technology Academy
CyberPatriot competitions
Open-enrollment magnet program
SOURCE: NEISD, NISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: PORT SAN ANTONIO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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NORTH SAN ANTONIO EDITION
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