Central Texas Healthcare Academy Opens at ACC Highland, Enrolling 560 Students Tuition-Free |
Austin Community College's Central Texas Healthcare Academy welcomed approximately 560 students in fall 2026, offering tuition-free healthcare education to participating Hays CISD and Pflugerville ISD students. With five career pathways and support from major regional healthcare partners, the program helps students begin exploring healthcare careers while still in high school. |
For families in Pflugerville and Hays County, preparing for a healthcare career can now begin as early as ninth grade.
The Central Texas Healthcare Academy, launched by Austin Community College District (ACC) in May 2026, offers participating high school students a way to explore healthcare careers, earn college credit, and work toward professional credentials without paying tuition.
The academy welcomed approximately 560 students for its fall 2026 launch, according to ACC's announcement.
Five pathways into healthcare
Students can explore five career paths:
The program combines high school coursework with college-level learning, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to understand how healthcare professionals work.
The exact next step after graduation depends on the pathway. Some students may earn credentials that help them enter the workforce. Others may continue their studies at ACC or another college to meet additional education or licensing requirements.
Built for participating school districts
The academy currently serves students from Hays Consolidated Independent School District and Pflugerville Independent School District.
Students begin exploring healthcare careers in ninth grade and progressively develop their skills through high school. They may earn college credit and gain experience connected to their chosen fields.
For parents, the appeal is straightforward: students can begin planning for careers earlier while reducing the cost of their education.
Families should confirm current admission requirements, available pathways, transportation arrangements, and participation details with their school district or ACC.
Local healthcare partners help shape training
The program brings together education and healthcare organizations serving the Austin region.
Its healthcare partners include Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health, Central Health, and St. David's HealthCare.
These partnerships help connect educational training with regional workforce needs. Students can learn about the responsibilities and expectations of healthcare careers before committing to additional years of study.
The academy is supported by major philanthropic and workforce-development investments, including $6.3 million from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and $3.2 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Other support includes funding from St. David's HealthCare Foundation and the High Demand Jobs Training Fund.
What Austin-area families should know
The program is tuition-free for participating students, but families should check directly with ACC about any additional expenses, transportation requirements, or prerequisites.
It is also important to understand that healthcare careers have different credential and licensing requirements. Participation in the academy is an early opportunity, not a guarantee of employment or admission to every advanced healthcare program.
For families looking at career and technical education, the academy provides another option alongside traditional college preparation.
Learn more: Visit the Central Texas Healthcare Academy's official ACC program page for information about its pathways and how the program works. |
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