EcoTech Academy

This is a farm-based charter school sitting on five acres of farmland just east of McQueen and Pecos roads. It has room for 195 students; the goal of EcoTech Academy was to incorporate the farm on its grounds into lessons for an ‘environmental learning center.’ The smaller class sizes, emphasis on science, and scheduling attracted families to enroll their children here.

The school had a history of financial troubles and a litany of complaints from parents and former employees ranging from the neglect of farm animals to abusive behavior from staff. The principal of the school, Jameela Pugh, shared that it was a difficulty to keep the school open.