First Day Of School Brings More 'Firsts' For AISD

Today School Districts Around Big Country Officially Kick Off First Day Of Class
By Jacqueline Hince, KTXS News
POSTED: 12:09 pm CDT August 23, 2010

UPDATED: 8:33 pm CDT August 23, 2010
ABILENE, Texas -- Abilene Independent School District debuts its latest high school academy at a new location, on this, the first day of school.

Around the state, more than five million students headed back to class today

Although ATEMS, or the Academy of Technology Math and Science, started up last year, today the 170 students enrolled were the first to attend the new location at the Texas State Technical College.

Teacher Nathan Nease told KTXS, "New kids, new environment; it's going to be a good year."

In April, AISD formed a partnership with TSTC to provide space and equipment to grow the new school. Every year officials hope to add about 100 new students.

This year, officials say that because they're still so new, they have some space available. Only 170 are currently enrolled at ATEMS instead of the projected 200.

"I just wanted a different experience for school," says sophomore and second-year ATEMS student Robert Ballin. He went on to explain, "Math is my favorite subject, and this is a different way of learning so that's why I came over here."

Freshman Christian Lopez, however, doesn't quite know what to expect. "I heard about it from my friend...who lives in my neighborhood. He said it's a pretty cool school."

ATEMS new location is one of the many "firsts" for Abilene ISD this school year.

This is the first full year that Dr. Heath Burns will serve as superintendent.

Other "firsts" will be new programs will be introduced at the high school level to help improve Abilene ISD's unacceptable rating from the state.

AISD has more spots available for students across the Big Country interested in ATEMS.