Discover SETA

A tuition-free magnet school program preparing students for college, job certifications, and engineering careers.

At SETA you don’t just learn engineering — you do engineering.

You’ll work with NASA-created lessons, advanced robotics, and professional-grade laboratory testing that mirror the aerospace, tech, and enginerring industries. Our curriculum builds from foundational concepts into four specialized career pathways, preparing you for industry-recognized certifications and helping you become a future leader before graduation.

What Is SETA?

The Space and Engineering Technologies Academy (SETA) is a tuition-free magnet school program for students aspiring for engineering. Developed in collaboration with NASA and an expert advisory board, SETA provides an immersive, hands-on education for students across San Antonio. Our comprehensive curriculum ensures students gain both depth and experience through four specialized pathways and six different career certifications.

Our dynamic environment is fueled by NASA-created lessons and direct industry expertise, ensuring that students are developing practical skills that are directly applicable to modern engineering, aerospace, and aviation careers. Students learn through real-world exposure—including experiments conducted on the International Space Station—to work toward industry certifications and college readiness, helping them build professional networks that prepare them for both higher education and immediate entry into the engineering workforce.

Who Thrives at SETA

SETA is designed for students who are curious about aerospace, engineering, and technology and want more than a traditional classroom experience. Our innovative approach nurtures each student’s interests from day one, helping them excel regardless of their previous education.

Students who thrive here are often:

Interested in how aerospace, aviation, and technology industries work.
Motivated by problem-solving and hands-on learning.
Looking for direction before graduation — whether that’s college, a career, or both.

No prior experience required

SETA welcomes students from within and outside NEISD boundaries and is built to support students as they discover their strengths and interests in space and engineering.

Students begin at different skill levels and grow through structured curriculum, guided instruction, and ongoing support. What matters most is curiosity, commitment, and a willingness to learn.

What Makes SETA Different

NASA developed Curriculum

Education built around exclusive lessons developed with NASA exclusively through our partnership.

Career Learning

Students engage in four career fields with six available certificaions from drone license to aircraft mechanic.

Early Direction

SETA helps students explore college and career pathways before graduation — not after.

How SETA Works

Students follow a structured pathway, building toward mastery and certification:

Outcomes That Matter—For Parents and Students

Students at SETA graduate with more than credits — they graduate with options.

Throughout the program, students work toward industry-recognized certifications that strengthen both college applications and career readiness. These credentials reflect skills that colleges and employers recognize and value.

Graduates commonly pursue:

College majors in aerospace, mechanical engineering, and computer science.
Professional roles as robotics engineers, aircraft technicians, and systems integration.
Continued certification pathways alongside higher education.

By the time students graduate, they have explored real career pathways, built foundational experience, and gained clarity about what comes next — rather than trying to figure it out after high school.