Tomball Academy of Future Educators - Tomball West High School

Tomball Academy of

Future Educators

Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH)

Purpose

The Texas Education Agency's (TEA) Pathways in Technology Early College High schools (P-TECH) initiative offers an open-enrollment program that creates workforce pathways aligned with high-demand, high-wage fields throughout the state. Students enrolled in the P-TECH program work toward an associate's degree while gaining hands-on work experience.

Texas P-TECH programming is inspired by the national effort to refine career and technical education. Industry and Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) partnerships with P-TECH campuses ensure that students graduate college- and career-ready. Business and industry partners provide career mentoring, host site visits, offer paid internships to enrolled students, and serve on advisory councils to improve the alignment of programming with workforce needs.

Students who graduate from the P-TECH program enter the workforce with proven, in-demand skill sets, making them top candidates in their chosen industry.

Program Characteristics

50 student cohort per grade level, beginning with the incoming 9th grade class of 2026/27 (C/O 2030)
Program option under Tomball West High School
Every student at each grade level will have an industry mentor
First-in line, priority interviewing opportunities with Tomball ISD

Pathways in Technology is open to all students and is designed to support students who

are motivated to challenge themselves with in-depth college-level coursework and internships
are comfortable in classes focused on academics and workplace learning
are open to accepting career-focused academic guidance from dedicated, collegiate teachers and professors
want to attend college but need a no-cost solution (tuition and textbooks)
live in the Tomball Independent School District

Available Program Outcomes

Associate of Arts in Teaching degree (Awarded by Lone Star College System)
Texas Education Agency (TEA) Aide I Certification
Extensive Work-Based Learning opportunities and graduates can enter the workforce as Early Childhood Educators, Paraprofessionals, or Teaching Assistants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the focus of the Tomball Academy of Future Educators?

To prepare students for careers in education and teaching through a rigorous P-TECH program combining high school, college, and work-based learning. Students earn a high school diploma, Texas Education Agency Education Aide I Certification, and an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree from Lone Star College Tomball. The program aims to create a skilled teaching workforce with students receiving priority interviewing with Tomball ISD upon completion of additional college and certification requirements. The Tomball Academy of Future Educators will be “school within a school” located at Tomball West High School.

What is P-TECH?

P-TECH stands for Pathways in Technology Early College High School. It is a unique education model that combines high school, college, and career education in one program. Students can earn both their high school diploma and a no-cost associate degree upon graduation.
A P-TECH school partners with colleges and industries, giving students real-world experience through internships, mentorships, job shadowing and other work-based learning opportunities. Graduates are prepared to go directly into the workforce or continue their education. It is a great option for students interested and/or enthusiastic about a specific in-demand career.

Partners & Support

Tomball Independent School District provides mentoring, site visits, internships, and priority job interviews for graduates. As a Destination District, Tomball ISD is uniquely able to provide students with work-based learning experiences in components that have earned the district multiple recognitions.

About Tomball ISD

Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 25 campuses.

Lone Star College – Tomball is our college partner, also referred to as the Institution of Higher Education (IHE) partner. Lone Star College – Tomball’s commitment is not supplementary. The partnership is a core component of the P-TECH. Lone Star College – Tomball’s partnership enables students to:

Earn an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree – tuition free while in high school.
Earn as many as 60 hours of tuition-free college credit.
Eliminate thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.

Lone Star College - Tomball Profile

Academic & Career Benefits

What is Dual Credit?
Dual credit allows students to earn high school and college credit simultaneously in subjects like math, science, English, and more.

What can students earn?

Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree
Texas Education Agency Education Aide I Certification
Extensive work-based learning opportunities

What is the benefit of an Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree?
Satisfies tuition free the core requirements for baccalaureate programs at four-year institutions that lead to initial teacher certification.

Will college credits transfer?
Yes, credits are transferable to public Texas colleges and may be transferred to out-of-state institutions depending on their policies.

Are there other program outcomes upon completion of the program?

Graduates enter the workforce as early childhood educators, paraprofessionals, or teaching assistants.
Students can continue their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree in education and initial teacher certification.

Differences between other programs?

P-TECH vs. Early College High School
Both offer dual credit and an associate degree, but a P-TECH emphasizes careers and includes work-based learning and certifications in the featured career program of study.

TAFE vs. Tomball Star Academy
Both programs are approved Texas College and Career Readiness School Models. Tomball Star Academy is a high school of choice in Tomball ISD that offers both an early college and healthcare P-TECH. The Tomball Academy of Future Educators is a school-within-a school P-TECH at Tomball West High School. Students are selected via an application and lottery process to each program. Students at each location have access to clubs, organizations and activities hosted at the specific campus. For example, TAFE students will be able to participate in the UIL offerings at Tomball West High school as Tomball West High School students.

Logistics & Campus Life?

Where do students attend classes?

Main campus: Tomball West High School
Some courses: Lone Star College – Tomball
Transportation is provided.

Can students join sports, band, theater arts or choir?

Yes, students will be able to participate in UIL activities and teams as students at Tomball West High School.
Students participating in UIL events will be Tomball West High School students no matter which attendance zone they reside in.
Coaching and directing are valued positions in the education profession. The Tomball Academy of Future Educators will allow students to explore coaching and directing as a future career goal if interested.

Eligibility & Enrollment

Who can apply?

Current 8th grade TISD students only
Current 8th grade students at ALL Tomball ISD junior high schools can apply.
Must be motivated, interested in teaching, and ready for a rigorous academic journey.
Priority is given to first-generation college students and historically underrepresented groups.

So, will a student attending the Tomball Academy of Future Educators be a Tomball West High School student no matter where they live in Tomball ISD?
Yes, all students accepted into the Tomball Academy of Future Educators will attend Tomball West High School and will graduate as Tomball West High School students.

What is the application process?

Apply online via Home Access Center (HAC)
If there are over 50 applicants, a lottery system is used.
Selected students are notified in December.

Can out-of-district students apply?
Not at this time

Health & Safety Requirements

Transportation

Will bus transportation be provided to students living in a Tomball High School or Tomball Memorial High School attendance zone?
Yes, bus transportation will be provided to students who reside within the Tomball High School and Tomball Memorial High School attendance zones. Transportation for students living in the Tomball West High School attendance zone will have access to bus transportation as well, based on the guidelines used to determine bus transportation routing.

Costs

Student Support

Family Involvement

Application Information

Process

Eighth-grade students will apply to either Tomball Star Academy [TSA] (ECHS designation) or Tomball Academy of Future Educators [TAFE] (P-TECH designation) through the Home Access Center (HAC). Once the application is submitted, students will be entered into the lottery.

Academy	Number of Students Accepted per Year
Tomball Star	100
Future Educators	50

Timeline

Recruiting: October 1-20, 2025 at all TISD Junior High campuses

TAFE Lunch and Learns with Students
Creekside Park	September 18
Tomball	September 19
Grand Lakes	September 25
Willow Wood	September 26

Application

Built into the application will be disclosures and requirements, and partnership requirements for each program. Applicants for any TISD Academy must live in Tomball ISD.

Application Opens

October 20, 2025*

*Between application open/close, student information meetings will be as follows:

Student Information Meetings at TISD Junior High Campuses
Grand Lakes Junior High	October 1
Creekside Park Junior High	October 2
Willow Wood Junior High	October 14
Tomball Junior High	October 20

Application Closes

December 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM

Lottery

TAFE: December 12, 2025

TSA: January 16, 2026

Commitments

Students who were accepted into the lottery must commit by the following date, or they will lose their position to another student on the waitlist.

TAFE: January 9, 2026

TSA: January 23, 2026

Required Information

Business & Industry Partner

LoneStarCollege-Tomball_Logo_Horizontal_540_201

Institute of Higher Learning Partner

LSC Profile

Student Teacher with Mentor Teacher, teaching kindergarteners

Student Teacher with Mentor at Tomball Elementary

Other TISD Academies

Tomball Star Academy

Located at Tomball Innovation Center
Learn more about TSA

Tomball Academy of Healthcare

Located at Tomball Star Academy
Learn more about TAH