Second Cohort Now Forming for Academy at TAMIU

With a full semester under its belt, Texas A&M International University’s Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies is now readying to welcome the second cohort of students to the Laredo’s newest high school.  Students at the Academy earn their high school diploma concurrently with college credits towards a Bachelors degree.

Enrollment information session for the 2015-2016 school year will be held Monday, Jan. 26; Monday, Feb. 23, and Tuesday, March 24 from 6 - 7 p.m. in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Room 101.

The Academy, which opened this past August, offers an accelerated curriculum for motivated Texas high school students that enables them to excel in areas of mathematics, science, technology, engineering and international studies (STEM). Students are encouraged to develop their creativity, curiosity, reasoning ability and self-discipline, leading to independent thought, integrity and action that will enable them to benefit society.

It is the first high school established within The Texas A&M University System and while the majority of students are from Laredo, the first cohort included students who moved to Laredo for the innovative opportunity.

Academy director Dr. Patricia Uribe said she has been impressed with the first cohort of students who have posted both academic and extracurricular recognition in their first semester.

“This first cohort of talented and dedicated students have proven successful in being fully immersed in a university setting, on average attempting 15-17 hours each for a cumulative total of 610 semester credit hours with an exemplary passing rate -- many maintaining a 4.0 GPA in rigorous coursework.  They have also impressed us with their rapid immersion into University culture and success in extracurricular activities,”  Dr. Uribe explained.

“One student was selected for the University’s ‘Reading the Globe’ Study-Travel program to Eastern Europe; students received multiple honors at the Invitational University Interscholastic League (UIL) Meet and were nominated as Students of the Month,” Uribe noted.

Uribe said that because of the students’ academic success, The Texas Academy has been granted affiliation through the National Association of Secondary School Principals to begin a chapter of the National Honor Society later this Spring.

The Academy seeks 50 new students for the second cohort.  Selected students will receive free tuition, fees and books and pursue University degrees in any area while exploring research and collaborative educational opportunities with project partners including the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio’s (UTHSCSA) Laredo campus.

Detailed information on the Academy and criteria for selection is located at www.tamiu.edu/coas/theacademy

TAMIU’s Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies was enabled by legislation authored by State Senator Judith Zaffirini and approved by the 79th Texas Legislature. Philanthropic support for the Academy has been provided by Laredoan and longtime educator Frank Staggs and others.

For more information, visit the Academy website, email puribe@tamiu.edu or call 956.326.2860.

University office hours are from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu