The Futures Academy program provides students with the opportunity to fulfill high school graduation requirements while simultaneously earning industry certifications, college credits, and/or an Associate of Applied Science degree by August following their senior year. In addition to taking college courses, Futures Academy students must earn credits in standard English, social studies, language arts, science, and math required of all Houston Independent School District (HISD) high school students. The mission of the Futures Academy program is to produce graduates who are marketable for careers in current and developing industries in Houston, as well as prepare them to enter four-year colleges. During the 2014-2015 school year, there were eight academies in HISD, with expectations for growth and expansion in the near future. Futures Academy students have the opportunity to gain 60 college credit hours, fifteen of those hours are core courses that can be transferred to bachelor's degree programs at Texas public universities. Upon successful completion of the Futures Academy program, students will qualify for entry into high-demand jobs in several of Houston's most thriving industries, including medicine, shipping, energy, manufacturing, and computer technology. Futures Academy recruitment plan and efforts resulted in a 33 percent increase in enrollment, from 365 students in the 2013-2014 school year to 487 students in the 2014-2015 school year.