Austin ISD broke ground on Career Launch programs at two early college high schools this month. 

LBJ Early College High School celebrated the groundbreaking of an approximately 5,000-square-foot building May 13 to accommodate a new health science initiative.

The program, a partnership with Seton Healthcare Family and Austin Community College, allows students to earn an associate degree in health science, preparing them to further their education in the medical field.

Phase one of the construction project is expected to be complete by the start of the new school year.

Construction, which is estimated at $1 million, includes a 10-bed nursing skills lab, four classrooms, a conference room, storage, a reception area, collaboration space and two offices.

On May 19, Reagan Early College High School broke ground on an approximately 3,500-square-foot building to accommodate a Career Launch program focused on technology. 

The program, a partnership with Dell Technologies and Austin Community College, allows students to earn an associate degree in computer science.

Phase one of that project's construction is expected to be complete by the start of the new school year.

The approximately $500,000 construction includes three offices, a large collaboration space, computer lab, project room and storage.

Career Launch, a six-year program, provides students the opportunity to graduate with their high school diploma, an associate degree, industry certifications and practical workplace experience and mentoring.

The program is designed to help students launch careers in fields that are expected to have high demand for skilled employees.