During the 2008-2009 school year, district leaders developed a plan of action to open a 21st century high school in Abilene ISD.  Abilene ISD wrote and received a grant through the T-STEM initiative in partnership with the Texas High School Project.  The THSP is a $377 million public-private collaboration committed to increasing graduation rates and college enrollment rates in every Texas community.  The THSP partners include TEA, the Office of the Governor, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Greater Texas Foundation, Meadows Foundation, and others. 

T-STEM Academies reflect today's postsecondary learning and working environment by incorporating project- and work-based learning, integrated technology into all aspects of school culture, creating and using applied and team learning, and providing opportunities for alignment with the state's economic development clusters.  Students who choose to attend T-STEM Academies are encouraged to serously consider careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.

 

With this funding, Abilene ISD invested in not only opening a T-STEM Academy High School, but a New Tech High School.  With over 75 New Tech high schools spread throughout the nation, Abilene ISD students have an opportunity to learn in a model school format recognized for innovative and creative learning environments.   On August 2009, ATEMS opened their doors to the first freshmen class of students at the Texas Tech University building on Pine and N 3rd Streets.  On August 2010, ATEMS developed a new partnership with Texas State Technical College and moved onto the campus, located at 650 E. Hwy 80.  With a shared vision in providing a 21st century education, over 165 freshmen and sophomore students have a new home and an opportunity to receive dual credit college course work through TSTC. On August 2011, ATEMS will enter their 3rd year of existence and welcome nearly 300 students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade.  In a short two years, ATEMS will celebrate with it's first graduating class on May 2013.