By: Kristyn Cathey
“This is the best kept secret in Baytown, but if I have anything to do with it, it won’t be for long,” Rotarian Jim Farris said as he toured the Stuart Career Technical High School. The native Baytownian was aware of the campus, but by the end of the tour, his mind was made up that he would share the successes of the program with everyone he knew.
SCTHS was named after John Stuart, who served the district in various capacities for 40 years. Originally the Stuart Career Center, which opened in 1974; Stuart Career Technical High School opened its doors in 2017 and graduated the first class four years later. The campus held their first tour of the year on November 4th. Lee College Regents, district employees, Board members and representatives from Sam Houston State University and Hunstville ISD were given a first-hand look of the facility through the eyes of its campus ambassadors (student representatives of the campus academies). Dr. Randy O’Brien, GCCISD Superintendent of Schools, touted the updated look of the campus. “This current (newer) building we are standing in is built between two older buildings,” O’Brien told the crowd. “Blending the heritage of our past focus on vocations within our innovative mindset of career certifications and other initiatives designed to add value to each students educational experience!” The building, which currently houses 418 students, is in its fourth expansion stage that will see the campus grow to over 900 students.
“While the Academies at our comprehensive high school campuses serve as a school within a school model, every student at SCTHS belongs to an academy. The Academies include: Advanced Automotive Academy, Academy of Agriculture Science, Academy of Culinary Arts, Manufacturing and Industrial Maintenance Academy, Academy of Information Technology, and Digital Communications Academy in Audio/Video Production. The equipment the students use and the knowledge they receive will provide them with a clear pathway to the work force or entrepreneurship; if they so choose. The core academic plan allows students to fulfill a high school diploma and a career pathway certification. College credit in core classes can transfer to public colleges, universities and even some private institutions.
“Our program is application based and we are in the midst of that process right now,” Dr. Cap Roder, SCTHS principal said. “Our student ambassadors are just a small representation of the great students we have here at Stuart Career Tech.” Roder wants to see the program grow to its fullest potential and he wants the public to be aware of the services his students provide to the community. “All of our academies are designed to provide services that could be used by our community,” Dr. Demetrius McCall, Deputy Superintendent stated. “From pet grooming to preparing a four-course meal; our students can do it all and we want our community to look to us to fulfill those needs.”
The tour included up-close-and-personal interactions with several four-legged friends that were getting groomed through the Veterinary Assistant certification program. At the conclusion of the tour, visitors dined on a delectable three-course meal, prepared and served by students in the Culinary Arts program as well as a tour of the Meat Evaluation program.
“We are working hard to publicize our programs, but we need your help,” Roder stated. “We have some major projects coming very soon and I can’t wait for the community to get to experience them with us.”
For more information on SCTHS or to schedule a tour of the campus, please call 281-420-4550.
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