NEISD Transportation Technology Academy: Focusing on Automotive Career Pathways

North East ISD (NEISD) in San Antonio offers a wide array of magnet and career and technical education (CTE) programs designed to equip students with specialized skills and knowledge for future careers. While NEISD encompasses various fields from cybersecurity to arts, a key area addressing the growing demand for skilled trades is the Neisd Automotive Technology program offered within the Transportation Technology Academy. This guide delves into NEISD’s approach to CTE, highlights the automotive technology focus, and provides details on how prospective students can explore these valuable educational opportunities. Applications for the 2024–25 school year opened October 1, 2023, and continue until February 5, 2024, presenting a timely opportunity for families to consider NEISD’s offerings, particularly the pathways in automotive technology.

Smiling female student in library, representing NEISD magnet programs

North East ISD’s Commitment to Career and Technical Education

As the second largest school district in San Antonio, serving nearly 60,000 students across 70 campuses, North East ISD is deeply invested in providing diverse educational pathways. The district offers a significant number of industry certifications—30 distinct options—through its CTE and magnet programs. This commitment allows families within NEISD, and even across the city through open enrollment for specific programs, to access specialized training that aligns with regional workforce needs. While NEISD offers various choice options like in-district transfers and dual language schools, this focus remains on the CTE and magnet programs designed for career readiness, including the important sector of transportation technology.

NEISD’s magnet and CTE programs are strategically located across the district, with some clustered at campuses like LEE High School and others housed at specialized centers like the Career and Technology Education Campus (CTEC). Most programs cater to grades 9–12, though some extend to middle school (grades 6–8). Program formats vary, including full-day magnets and partial-day CTE courses, often requiring transportation from a student’s home campus. All comprehensive middle and high schools in NEISD also offer CTE programs, complementing the specialized magnet academies.

Spotlight: The NEISD Transportation Technology Academy

A standout offering within NEISD’s CTE framework, particularly for students interested in hands-on skills and mechanical systems, is the Transportation Technology Academy. This academy is specifically designed to prepare students for careers in the dynamic transportation industry.

The Transportation Technology Academy provides comprehensive programs in:

• Automotive Technology: Focused on the diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of cars and light trucks. This includes learning about engine systems, brakes, steering and suspension, electrical systems, and more, providing a direct pathway into the field of Neisd Automotive Technology.
• Diesel Technology: Training related to the maintenance and repair of diesel engines used in trucks, buses, and heavy equipment.
• Aviation Technology: Introduction to the principles of aircraft maintenance and related aviation careers.

Students enrolled in the Transportation Technology Academy gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge through classroom instruction and hands-on training. A significant benefit of these programs is the opportunity to earn valuable industry-based certifications. This includes foundational OSHA safety certifications, recognized Apprenticeship NCCER certifications in specific trades, and potentially other industry-specific credentials. Furthermore, students can accumulate on-the-job training hours and earn college credit hours concurrently with their high school studies, giving them a head start on post-secondary education or direct entry into the workforce.

The structure of the Transportation Technology Academy involves students attending their home high school for part of the day and being bused by NEISD transportation to and from the Career and Technology Education Campus (CTEC) for two periods daily. This blended approach allows students to remain connected to their home campus community, including participation in athletics and extracurriculars, while accessing specialized, high-cost training facilities at CTEC.

The Career and Technology Education Campus (CTEC)

The Transportation Technology Academy, along with other hands-on CTE programs like Construction Technology and Medical Professions, is housed at the NEISD Career and Technology Education Campus (CTEC). CTEC serves as a central hub for specialized vocational training that requires dedicated facilities and equipment, such as automotive repair bays, welding labs, and medical training rooms.

CTEC is located at 3736 Perrin Central, San Antonio, TX 78217. Students in grades 11–12 are typically eligible to attend programs here on a partial-day basis. The consolidation of these programs at CTEC ensures that students across the district have access to state-of-the-art equipment and experienced instructors focused on specific trade areas like neisd automotive technology.

Other Notable NEISD Magnet and CTE Programs

While the focus here is on neisd automotive technology, it’s worth noting the breadth of other specialized programs NEISD offers, demonstrating the district’s commitment to diverse career readiness:

• Agriscience Magnet Program (AMP): Located at Madison High School, preparing students for agribusiness careers.
• Construction Technology Academy: Also at CTEC, offering pathways in welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
• Medical Professions Academy: Located at CTEC, with certifications like EMT, CNA, Pharmacy Tech, and Medical Assistant.
• Design and Technology Academy (DATA): At Ed White Middle School and Roosevelt High School, focusing on digital arts and design.
• Institute of CyberSecurity & Innovation (iCSI): Providing advanced cybersecurity training and industry certifications.
• International School of the Americas (ISA): On the LEE High School campus, fostering global citizenship through interdisciplinary studies.
• MacArthur University Prep (MAC UP): At MacArthur High School, a university track program for aspiring educators, offering early college credit.
• North East School of the Arts (NESA): A gifted and talented arts program at LEE High School with majors in various performing and visual arts disciplines.
• Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy (STEM): A 6th–12th grade program at Nimitz Middle School and LEE High School focusing on problem-based, technology-rich learning.
• Space and Engineering Technologies Academy (SETA): Located at Krueger Middle School and Roosevelt High School, centered on aerospace engineering, aviation technology, computer science, and manufacturing.

Students engaged in technology training at a NEISD career and technology education campus

Enrollment and Application Process

For families interested in enrolling a student in one of NEISD’s magnet or CTE programs, including the Transportation Technology Academy with its neisd automotive technology component, the application process is straightforward. Applications for the 2024–25 school year commenced on October 1, 2023, and the application window closes on February 5, 2024. Interested families can apply online through the NEISD website.

Notification regarding enrollment status typically begins around February 15, 2024. NEISD also hosts informational events, such as Magnet Night Information Sessions held from September through December, providing valuable opportunities for families to learn more about specific programs and have questions answered.

Preparing for In-Demand Careers

North East ISD’s extensive network of CTE and magnet programs, exemplified by the Transportation Technology Academy’s neisd automotive technology pathway, reflects the district’s responsiveness to demographic shifts and the evolving needs of the San Antonio job market. By offering relevant, hands-on training in fields with high demand for skilled workers, NEISD is effectively preparing its graduates for successful careers and contributing to the local economy. Programs like automotive technology provide students with a direct path to earning industry certifications, gaining practical experience, and potentially earning college credit before graduation, positioning them for success whether they enter the workforce directly or pursue further education.

Exterior view of LEE High School, a campus hosting several NEISD magnet programs

Conclusion

The North East ISD Transportation Technology Academy offers a focused and practical education path, particularly for students interested in neisd automotive technology. Through hands-on training, industry certifications, and college credit opportunities at the CTEC campus, this program provides students with the skills necessary to pursue lucrative and in-demand careers in the automotive, diesel, and aviation fields. As NEISD continues to expand its CTE offerings, programs like this serve as vital resources for students seeking specialized skills and for the community needing a well-trained workforce. Families are encouraged to explore the application process and attend informational events to learn more about the valuable opportunities available within NEISD’s magnet and CTE programs.