Lee College – Center for Workforce & Community Development
Lee College is a comprehensive community college that has been ranked among the top 10 percent of community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute, and has been recognized in the state of Texas and nationally for excellence in higher education. With more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit workforce and community education courses, the college prepares its diverse student body for advanced higher education; successful entry into the workforce; and a variety of in-demand careers. With the main campus and McNair Center located in Baytown, Texas, and a satellite education center in nearby South Liberty County, the College serves a geographic area of more than 220,000 residents that includes 14 independent school districts.
The Center for Workforce and Community Development (CWCD) at Lee College offers a variety of non-credit courses designed to prepare students for a new career, learn a new skill or just have fun. The CWCD currently offers a fast-track industrial crafts training program that provides unemployed or underemployed individuals a pathway to high-skills, high-wage, and high-growth jobs. In just 12 weeks, this program is helping to bridge the middle-skills gap in the petrochemical and construction industries. Programs available for training include welding, pipefitting, instrumentation, electrical and construction. In addition to the crafts training programs, the CWCD offers a variety of fast-track health care training programs including phlebotomy, clinical medical assistant, certified nurse aide, dental assistant and EKG technician. Financial assistance and payment plans are available for some workforce programs. For more information, call (281) 425-6311 or visit www.lee.edu/workforce.
Customized corporate training services are also offered to local businesses. With a storehouse of subject-matter experts, instructors and facilities, the CWCD provides custom-tailored training packages to meet the specific needs of local businesses. Customized training services include incumbent worker training, curriculum development, pre-employment assessments, skills gaps analysis and conference and seminars for professional development.
Companies seeking customized employee training are encouraged to contact Marsha Tuha, director of workforce development, at (832) 556-4450, or by email at mtuha@lee.edu.
CWCD also offers a variety of noncredit community education courses including computer technology, family-friendly workshops, professional development, travel opportunities for senior adults, and even summer camps for children. The Kids at College Summer Camp Program is designed to provide children ages 5 to 17 with active, engaging and healthy summer activities. Many of the Kids at College’s tried-and-true-camps remain at the top of the popularity list including Creative Arts and Crafts, Art Extreme and Creative Engineering.
The college is particularly grateful to ExxonMobil for its continued funding of the EnergyVenture camp, a 36-hour career exploration camp for teens ages 12-14. Focused on career opportunities in the region’s ever-changing energy industry, campers participate in hands-on lab experiments and team-building activities. The college is also fortunate that Chevron Phillips Chemical funds the annual EnergyVenture Reunion giving former campers the opportunity to network, participate in friendly competitions, and hear from guest speakers in the petrochemical industry.
“The Kids at College Summer Camp Program is a wonderful opportunity for children to keep their bodies and minds active,” said Angela Oriano, Ph.D., vice president workforce & corporate partnerships. “Each camp is an adventure that offers personal growth for our community’s youth. Our campers walk away with new skills, increased confidence and more independence that stay with them throughout their lives.”
The 2019 Kids at College Summer camp program is scheduled to run June-August 2019. For more information, visit www.lee.edu/kids.
Baytown Christian Academy
Teaching the Mind, Reaching the Heart” is the mission statement of Baytown Christian Academy. In its 37-year history, the academy has remained committed to this mission statement while serving children and families from Baytown and the surrounding communities. Baytown Christian Academy provides students a quality college preparatory education that incorporates Christian beliefs and principles throughout the curriculum.
Small class sizes make it possible for students to receive one-on-one attention. As a result, students excel academically and grow spiritually. One hundred percent of the academy’s last two graduating classes were accepted by a college or university.
Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District – Engage Inspire Empower
One of the largest and fastest-growing districts in Texas, Goose Creek CISD serves nearly 24,000 students in the communities of Baytown and Highlands. The district’s one primary school, 15 elementary schools, five junior schools and three traditional high schools, as well as IMPACT Early College High School, Stuart Career Tech High School, John M. Stuart Career Center, POINT Alternative Center and the Peter E. Hyland Center, provide resources to equip students to be 21st century learners. The district and all schools received a “Met Standard” rating, the highest rating from the Texas Education Agency for 2018.
Goose Creek CISD students benefit from a strong, high-quality educational system enhanced by outstanding community support. In May 2013, the community generously approved a $267.5 million bond. Among other designated bond items, three new elementary schools opened in 2014, and a new transportation center was in full operation November 2017. A new technology center and the expansion of the agriculture science center opened at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
Established in 2009, the Goose Creek CISD Education Foundation gives teachers and employees an additional avenue of funding to enhance instruction. The foundation has awarded innovative teaching grants totaling more than $1 million to Goose Creek CISD teachers and has recognized 135 teachers, nominated by students for making a difference in their lives, at the annual Students Choice Awards Banquet. Additional community support is provided by the numerous businesses that serve as Baytown Chamber of Commerce Partners In Education to the schools as well as through other business and industry partnerships.
In 2010, Goose Creek CISD, in a partnership agreement with Lee College, opened IMPACT Early College High School. IMPACT’s curriculum blends high school and college work with the goal that students will graduate with a high school diploma and an associate degree or 60 college credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree.
The school district’s Career and Technical Education program is rapidly expanding to meet student and workforce needs and to help students obtain credentialing and certifications. The Global Business Academy at Goose Creek Memorial High School, Health Science Academy at Ross S. Sterling High School and STEM Academy on the Lee High School campus were launched in 2014 and continue to flourish.
Stuart Career Tech High School opened in late 2017 with four academies – Advanced Automotive, Culinary Arts, Agricultural/Environmental Conservation and Manufacturing and Industrial Maintenance. The school combines rigorous career and technical coursework with career-focused core curriculum courses and the opportunity for students to earn college credit and/or industry certifications as well as a high school diploma.
Technology is a priority in Goose Creek CISD. All high school students have access to iPads, and junior schools have iPad carts in ELA classrooms and laptop carts in social studies classrooms. Fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms also have iPads and laptops readily available.
Teachers use Promethean Boards and iPads to enhance instruction. Robert E. Lee High School was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2015-2017 and again for 2017-2019 for making technology a major part of classroom learning.
Approximately seven percent of the district’s students are served by the Gifted and Talented Education program. The district offers advanced academic opportunities, such as dual credit courses, junior and high school robotics, advanced placement courses and UIL competition. Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language are also provided for students with limited English proficiency.
Goose Creek CISD’s Special Education program serves approximately 2,200 students with disabilities from ages 3 to 21. The school district serves as the fiscal agent and program administrator for 15 area school districts that comprise the Tri-County East Regional Day School Program for the Deaf, providing a high-quality program for 150 deaf or hard-of-hearing students.
Goose Creek CISD offers excellent schools working with an actively involved community to prepare students for college and career opportunities. Proud of the past and focused on the future, the district is celebrating its 100th anniversary – “100 Years of Class.”
St. Joseph Catholic School
Since opening its doors in 1948, Saint Joseph Regional Catholic School has kept pace with changes in society, while continuing its mission to provide quality education rooted in spiritual and moral values to children residing in Baytown and its surrounding areas.
St. Joseph provides a unique environment where students can experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. The school focuses on the individual’s spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, cultural and physical development. Students and faculty are drawn to proclaim the Gospel message, unite in worship, respond to the community through fellowship and social justice, and serve all people though the sharing of their spiritual gifts and temporal goods.
Just minutes from the Fred Hartman Bridge, St Joseph provides an academic experience that inspires students to reach beyond their comfort zones. Noted for its academic excellence, St. Joseph provides instruction to students from pre-K to eighth grade. A newly renovated science lab and technology give students the opportunity for a hands-on approach to build critical thinking to skills solve real world problems. In addition, students participate in weekly specialty classes including music, art, library, physical education and Spanish. Extracurricular activities include National Jr. Beta Club, Cub Scouts, basketball, soccer, cheerleading and community PTA events, including family nights, Breakfast with Santa and Skate Night. Affordable before care and after care programs are also available.
St. Joseph is more than an elementary and junior high school; it’s a journey, an educational playground and a family.
Chinquapin School
Chinquapin Preparatory School was founded in 1969 to provide a rigorous college preparatory education for able and motivated students from limited economic circumstances. Serving students in grades 6-12, the school embraces its motto of “Quid pro Quo,” or “Something for Something,” in its daily chore period and in service to the community. Unique in Texas, the school also offers boarding five days a week. A little over half of the student body takes advantage of this benefit.
Over 80 percent of Chinquapin students qualify for free and reduced lunch. All students pay some tuition on a sliding scale that is determined by income. The average amount paid is $50 a month. Chinquapin students have a longer school day and more homework than students in most public schools. Students do chores every day and work in the dining hall once a week.
More than 85 percent of Chinquapin graduates go on to earn a four-year college degree. The national average for students from poverty is 10 percent. Students earn scholarships and aid to help them get through college. Last year’s senior class of 24 students received nearly $700,000 in scholarships for their freshman year alone.
Recent alumni are currently attending Harvard, Duke, University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr, Rice, Wellesley, Pomona, Texas A & M, the University of Texas and many others.