Memorial Hermann and Aldine ISD Launch Health-Focused High School to Train Future Workforce

HOUSTON, Texas – Memorial Hermann Health System and Aldine Independent School District have announced a partnership to create a new career-technical education high school designed to prepare students for high-demand health care careers while addressing regional workforce shortages.

The Health Education and Learning High School, known as HEAL High School, will share a campus with Nimitz High School and integrate traditional academics with specialized health care training. The program is intended to graduate students directly into health care careers offering family-sustaining wages and long-term advancement opportunities.

Scheduled to open in fall 2024 and expand over four academic years, the campus is expected to serve approximately 760 students at full capacity. The school is part of a $250 million national initiative led by Bloomberg Philanthropies aimed at connecting education systems with health care providers to establish career-focused high schools in 10 communities across the country.

Bloomberg Philanthropies provided an initial $31 million investment to the Memorial Hermann Foundation to support development of the program. Memorial Hermann and Aldine ISD will jointly design curriculum that combines rigorous academic instruction with health care coursework, industry certifications, and work-based learning experiences.

“For too long, our education system has failed to prepare students for good jobs in high-growth industries,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former mayor of New York City. “By combining classroom learning with hands-on experience, these specialized health-care high schools will prepare students for careers with opportunities for growth and advancement.”

Texas continues to face shortages of nurses, primary care physicians, technicians, therapists, and pharmacists. Many of these positions offer stable wages and career pathways that may not require a four-year degree but allow advancement through continued education.

David L. Callender, MD, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann, said the partnership aims to strengthen both education and health care systems.

“We are excited to partner with Aldine ISD to bring Houston a new career-technical education high school that, through rigorous classroom instruction and a hands-on learning approach, will help prepare students for well-paying careers in health care and address critical health care talent needs,” Callender said.

Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney said the model reflects students’ growing interest in career-connected education.

“Students are hungry for educational experiences today that feel relevant to what they will do tomorrow in their careers,” Goffney said. “This new high school model will ensure students interested in health care careers can gain real experience while still learning the core foundational skills that we focus on during those formative secondary years.”

Funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies will support startup costs including staffing, classroom and laboratory renovations, and development of work-based learning programs. Students will complete traditional graduation requirements while participating in health care courses co-taught by Memorial Hermann professionals.

Beginning in ninth and 10th grades, students will participate in job shadowing and simulation-based training. By 11th grade, students will gain access to paid internships, professional mentoring, and immersive work experiences at Memorial Hermann facilities.

School leaders said HEAL High School will also offer extracurricular and co-curricular opportunities, including arts programs, physical education, and student affinity groups, alongside its career-focused curriculum.