Author Archives: HISD Communications

Principals at Achieve 180 campuses receive district recognitions

While the district prepares for Spring Break, campuses and leadership in the Achieve 180 program are taking a moment to celebrate their academic and leadership achievements for the month of March. 

Earlier this month, the district announced Principal Khalilah Campbell-Rhone of Worthing High School as HISD’s 2018-2019 Secondary Principal of the Year. 

The Secondary Principal of the Year kicked off the school year learning that her campus was removed from the Improvement Required list—a notable accomplishment in just one year as principal at the campus.  

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HISD supports summer learning, connects students to high-impact programs through DiscoverU

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July 12 is National Summer Learning Day, a day of advocacy aimed at recognizing the importance of keeping students learning, safe, and healthy every summer.

In a city the size of Houston, students can participate in a variety of fun and educational activities that will not only prepare them for the upcoming school year, but also prevent the “summer slide” — learning loss that can occur over the summer months.

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HISD Board of Education to consider proposed 2018-2019 budget

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Proposed budget includes $19.2 million for special education, dyslexia programs, Achieve 180 and a planned performance audit

 June 12, 2018 – The Houston Independent School District Board of Education will meet Thursday to consider adopting the proposed 2018-2019 budget.

The proposed budget includes $16.7 million in increases for special education, dyslexia programs and Achieve 180, the program introduced this school year to support underserved and underperforming schools, which will continue in place next school year. The proposal also includes $2.5 million for a forthcoming performance audit. Continue reading →

15 HISD schools ranked in the top 10 among Children at Risk’s annual top-performing schools

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Number of schools given Gold Ribbon status nearly doubles to 21

Children at Risk announced its annual list of the top schools in the greater Houston area, and for the eighth consecutive year, HISD’s DeBakey High School for Health Professions was listed as number one among high schools in the area and the state.

Five other HISD high schools were included in the top 10: Eastwood Academy (#2), Carnegie Vanguard High School (#3), East Early College High School (#6), Sharpstown International School (#8), and Challenge Early College High School (#10).

Five HISD middle schools also were recognized as top 10 performers: T.H. Rogers School (#1), Project Chrysalis Middle School (#4), Lanier Middle School (#6), Energized for STEM Academy Southwest MS (#6), Mandarin Immersion Magnet School (#9). On the elementary school list, four HISD schools were ranked in the top 10: T.H. Rogers School (#1), Horn Elementary School (#4), River Oaks Elementary School (#5), and West University Elementary School (#6). Continue reading →

HISD to host kickoff celebration for ‘Camp Lit’ summer program

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 The Houston Independent School District will welcome thousands of students to summer school with a series of pep rallies and tailgates.  This year, the focus of the “Camp Lit” summer program will be literacy.

The Summer Kickoff for elementary students will be held on Wednesday, June 6 from 9 to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m. A third session for middle school students will be held on Thursday, June 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. All events will take place at Delmar Fieldhouse (2020 Mangum Road).  Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan will also deliver a motivational message to the students.

“This is the brainchild of our interim superintendent. The idea is to continue our focus on literacy but in a way that is exciting and engaging,” Officer for Special Populations Courtney Busby said. “We want our students to know that meeting their needs in the summer is our critical for their overall success. What better way to do that than with a celebration where all kids will leave with books to add to their personal libraries.”

Each student in attendance will take a book home, courtesy of Books Between Kids and the Astros Foundation.

There will be performances from HISD marching bands, drumlines, and cheerleading teams and the Delmar Fieldhouse parking lot will be transformed into a tailgate party with music provided by Radio One Houston. Every HISD department will decorate cars and have literacy-based games for students to play during the tailgate. Food will be provided by HISD Nutrition Services.

Summer school begins on June 6 and ends July 3.

Worthing HS students get up-close lesson on tech jobs in Silicon Valley

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Students from Worthing High School got an up-close and personal look at in-demand tech jobs of the future in Silicon Valley.

A group of 20 computer programming students traveled to San Francisco earlier this month to spend time training with tech industry leaders at SoftBank Robotics’ RobotLAB. During the experience, they programmed two robots designed for retail and educational applications.

“The purpose of this experience was to open their minds to computer programming, because the robots are coming, and they’re going to be taking over a lot of jobs,” Worthing High School computer programming teacher Nina Jolivet said. “They’re going to need people to program these robots. Why not our students?” Continue reading →

More than 30 HISD schools earn spot on 2017 Texas Honor Roll

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Thirty-one Houston Independent School District campuses have been named to the 2017-2018 Educational Results Partnership Texas Honor Roll for their high achievement and student success.

The 2017 Honor Roll recognizes public elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate high levels of student academic achievement, improvement in achievement overtime, and reduction in achievement gaps. For high schools, Honor Roll recognition includes measures of college readiness in students. This year, the Texas Honor Roll recognized 729 higher performing schools that are distinguished for their academic achievement and closing achievement gaps.

“We are honored to be recognized as a Texas Honor Roll School District by educational and business leaders in Texas,” Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “I am incredibly proud of our teachers and school leaders, as they have remained focused on our students and their continued academic progress.”

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HISD maintains its high bond rating by two agencies

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The Houston Independent School District maintains its high bond ratings by Moody’s Investor Services and Standard & Poor’s Financial Services for rating reviews just completed.

Moody’s assigned a Aaa with a stable outlook, its highest rating, to both the district’s $100 million Limited Tax Schoolhouse Bonds and the $200 million Maintenance Tax Note.

“The Aaa ratings are anchored by a large and nationally important economy, anchored by the City of Houston (Aa3 stable) as well as the district’s sophisticated management team, which repeatedly displays highly conservative budgeting practices leading to strong liquidity and reserves,” Moody’s said in its rating report. Continue reading →

HISD statement on Santa Fe High School shooting

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HISD has released the following statement on the Santa Fe High School shooting:

The Houston Independent School District sends condolences to the entire Santa Fe ISD community. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the students, staff, and families affected by this senseless tragedy. We offer our full support to Santa Fe ISD during this difficult time. The HISD Police Department has more than 200 officers assigned to schools and facilities across the district, and they work diligently every day to keep HISD students and staff safe. Today, the department is operating on high alert, and all available officers are on patrol. Additionally crisis counselors are available to students upon request.

Read more:
Letter to parents and community members
Letter to staff