CAST Schools Network
CAST Schools Network is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) that runs 7 career-themed public schools across 4 districts, pairing students with employer partners such as H-E-B and CPS Energy for industry-aligned experiential learning funded by sponsorships and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSan Antonio, TX, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What CAST Schools Network does
CAST Schools Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, that operates a network of 7 career-themed public schools in partnership with 4 public school districts. The organization structures its schools around industry-themed pathways, embedding employer-led experiential learning directly into the public school day so that students earn credit toward graduation while building exposure to target occupations.
The model is funded through a blended stack: philanthropic grants (notably from City Education Partners), per-student programmatic contributions (documented at roughly $802.38 per student), and tiered corporate sponsorships priced at $5,000-$20,000. Employer partners — including H-E-B (reaching 1,500+ students), Lancer Worldwide, Toyotetsu TX, CPS Energy, Plus One Robotics, VelocityTX, and Frost — provide work-based learning experiences, mentorships, and curriculum input that differentiate CAST's schools from conventional district offerings.
The organization is led by Executive Director Jennifer Maestas, who succeeded founder Jeanne Russell in late 2025, and operates with a staff of 11-50. Its competitive position rests on durable district partnerships, a multi-sided employer-district-student ecosystem, and 501(c)(3) governance that lowers coordination frictions with public-sector stakeholders. The core offering is human-delivered; no AI/ML technology layer is documented.
CAST Schools Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CAST Schools Network
- Legal name
- The Centers for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) Network
- Website
- https://castschools.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- CAST Schools Network is a San Antonio-based 501(c)(3) that runs 7 career-themed public schools across 4 districts, pairing students with employer partners such as H-E-B and CPS Energy for industry-aligned experiential learning funded by sponsorships and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CAST Schools Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- K-12 Public Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools (EDAJACAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE) (EDAJAAAF)
Keywords
Where CAST Schools Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Antonio, TX
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
CAST Schools Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Sponsorships: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CAST Schools relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. They offer various sponsorship levels for youth leadership events ($5,000-$20,000), specific program sponsorships, and general donations. They also accept $800 donations to close the opportunity gap for one student.
- Partnership with School Districts: CAST operates as partnership schools with public school districts. The cost differential to prepare CAST students for college, career and life is approximately $802.38 per student, funded through district partnerships and supplementary support.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time | $800 to close the Opportunity Gap for one Student |
| Other | Annual | Youth Leadership Event Sponsorship Tiers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
CAST Schools Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CAST Schools Network operates a portfolio of seven career-themed public schools in San Antonio, Texas — one PreK-12 Academy (Advanced Learning Academy), one middle school (CAST Imagine), and five high schools (CAST STEM, CAST Med, CAST Tech, CAST Teach, CAST Lead) — delivered in partnership with four public school districts. The schools provide project-based learning, work-based learning experiences (internships, pre-apprenticeships, mentoring), youth leadership development, and college preparation to public school students at no tuition cost.
Product overview
CAST Schools Network is a portfolio of 7 career-themed public schools in San Antonio, Texas, comprising one PK-12 Academy (Advanced Learning Academy), one middle school (CAST Imagine), and five high schools focused on specific career themes: CAST Lead (leadership), CAST Med (healthcare), CAST STEM (science/technology/engineering/math), CAST Teach (education), and CAST Tech (technology/cybersecurity). The network provides project-based learning, work-based learning experiences including internships and apprenticeships, youth leadership development programs, and college preparation. The schools operate as open-source lab schools for partner districts, emphasizing student-driven learning with teachers as facilitators. The cost to prepare students is approximately $802.38 per student, funding both academic instruction and career-readiness activities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Advanced Learning Academy A PreK-12 academy within the CAST Schools Network offering project-based and career-connected learning for students across San Antonio partner districts.
- CAST Imagine A middle school within the CAST Schools Network focused on STEM careers and project-based learning for San Antonio public school students.
- CAST Lead A career-themed high school focused on leadership development, preparing students for college and careers through customized learning experiences.
- CAST Med A career-themed high school focused on medical and healthcare careers, preparing students for college and careers in the healthcare field.
- CAST STEM A career-themed high school focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers with project-based learning and industry partnerships.
- CAST Teach A career-themed high school focused on education and teaching careers within the CAST Schools Network.
- CAST Tech A career-themed high school focused on technology and cybersecurity careers, offering IT and cybersecurity education with industry certifications.
- Youth Leadership Programs Programs including Youth Voice platforms, arts experiences, writing, theater, video production, and student-led conferences that develop student leadership skills across the network.
- Career-Readiness Programs Internships, apprenticeships, and job placement programs that connect students with career opportunities and industry partners across the network's employer ecosystem.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 90% of CAST students plan to enroll in college
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use CAST Schools Network
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
CAST Schools Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
CAST Schools Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- San Antonio Independent School DistrictcoreOne of four public school districts partnering with CAST Schools to provide career-themed STEM education. Districts provide infrastructure and student enrollment for the partnership schools.
- Higher Education InstitutionscoreColleges including St. Mary's University, Palo Alto College, Texas A&M-San Antonio, and University of the Incarnate Word partner with CAST to provide dual credit opportunities and seamless pathways from high school to college.
- Local Employers from Target IndustriescoreEmployers from target industries provide internships, apprenticeships, mentoring, and job shadow experiences for students. These industry partners help expose students to high-wage, high-demand careers.
- Lancer WorldwideminorCAST industry partner where alumni complete internships. Alumni Priam Nuques interned during high school and has been invited back to work every subsequent summer, eventually offered a Laboratory Technician position.
- H-E-BcoreH-E-B has offered more than 1,500 students experiential learning opportunities over the last ten years through summer internships and job shadow experiences. Board member Katie Chain built H-E-B's High School and Two-Year Technical Internship Programs.
- Toyotetsu TXminorBoard member Leslie Cantu serves as VP of Administration at Toyotetsu TX, representing advanced manufacturing sector in the CAST Schools ecosystem.
- CPS EnergyminorBoard member Lisa Lewis serves as Chief Administrative Officer at CPS Energy, representing the utility sector in the CAST Schools network.
- Plus One RoboticsminorBoard member Erik Nieves co-founded Plus One Robotics, representing the robotics and automation industry in CAST Schools network.
- VelocityTXminorBoard member Rene Dominguez serves as President and CEO of VelocityTX, representing the life sciences innovation ecosystem in San Antonio.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CAST Schools Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Big Picture Learning: National network of project-based schools emphasizing internships, mentorships, and real-world learning experiences; directly comparable to CAST's work-based learning approach.
- KIPP Texas Public Schools: Texas charter network operating multiple themed schools with a college-prep orientation; comparable in scale, mission, and operating geography to CAST Schools Network.
- NAF (National Academy Foundation): National nonprofit operating career academies within existing high schools focused on career-themed pathways like health sciences, technology, and engineering; directly comparable to CAST's themed high school structure.
- YES Prep Public Schools: Houston-area public charter network with career-themed campuses and a strong college matriculation focus; directly comparable to CAST's college-and-career mission and Texas footprint.
- Carpe Diem Schools: San Antonio-area public charter network offering college and career preparation with blended and project-based learning models, operating in CAST's exact geography.
- P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School): IBM-originated model pairing high schools with industry and higher education partners for STEM-focused, dual-credit pathways leading to industry credentials; closely aligned with CAST Tech and dual-credit architecture.
- High Tech High: San Diego-based network of project-based, career-connected public charter schools emphasizing internships and real-world learning; closely aligned with CAST's project-based career-focused pedagogy.
- Linked Learning: A career pathway approach integrating academics with industry-themed work-based learning; comparable to CAST's model of combining rigorous academics with industry exposure and internships.
- IDEA Public Schools: Large Texas-based public charter network with a strong college-prep mission and similar goal of sending graduates to college; comparable to CAST in serving Texas students through a network of themed schools.
Others
- Jobs for the Future (JFF): National nonprofit focused on expanding equitable economic mobility through education and career pathways; adjacent to CAST as a peer/funder operating in the same college-and-career ecosystem.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
CAST Schools Network social profiles
Digital presenceCAST Schools Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CAST Schools Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
CAST Schools Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CAST Schools Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CAST Schools Network
What does CAST Schools Network do?
CAST Schools Network operates a portfolio of seven career-themed public schools in San Antonio, Texas — one PreK-12 Academy (Advanced Learning Academy), one middle school (CAST Imagine), and five high schools (CAST STEM, CAST Med, CAST Tech, CAST Teach, CAST Lead) — delivered in partnership with four public school districts. The schools provide project-based learning, work-based learning experiences (internships, pre-apprenticeships, mentoring), youth leadership development, and college preparation to public school students at no tuition cost.
Is CAST Schools Network a public or private company?
CAST Schools Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was CAST Schools Network founded?
CAST Schools Network was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is CAST Schools Network based?
CAST Schools Network is headquartered in San Antonio, TX, United States, in the North America region.
How does CAST Schools Network make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are partnership with School Districts.
Who are CAST Schools Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Big Picture Learning, KIPP Texas Public Schools, NAF (National Academy Foundation), YES Prep Public Schools, Carpe Diem Schools, P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School), High Tech High, Linked Learning and IDEA Public Schools. Jobs for the Future (JFF) is listed as an others.
Does CAST Schools Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for CAST Schools Network.
What industry is CAST Schools Network in?
CAST Schools Network's product category is K-12 Public Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJACAK, Charter Career & Technical Education (CTE) Schools, with a secondary code of EDAJAAAF, Public Magnet & Specialty Schools (STEM/Arts/IB/CTE). Its NAICS code is 611110 and its SIC code is 8200.