Leaders of Houston’s largest business organization pledged Monday to help the Houston Independent School District expand the ambitious Apollo 20 school transformation program to more campuses next fall.

The comments from Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Jeff Moseley and Vice Chairman Larry Kellner followed a tour of Lee High School, one of nine HISD middle schools and high schools using a longer academic year, longer school days, intensive tutoring and other strategies aimed at reversing a trend of academic failure.

“The business community is committed to stand with Apollo 20,” Moseley said.

Moseley and Kellner called on the Houston business community to offer more financial support to the initiative, which HISD plans to expand into 11 struggling elementary schools next fall. Local businesses and foundations have already contributed more than $1.4 million to the effort.