Category Archives: High Schools

Eight HISD Students Named National Achievement Scholarship Semifinalists

Eight seniors from seven high schools throughout the Houston Independent School District have qualified as semifinalists in the prestigious National Achievement Scholarship Program.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately funded academic competition created in 1964 to recognize and provide scholarships to academically promising African-American students across the country. It is conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and works in concert with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

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Students Dig in to Mock Drilling Exercise at PetroChallenge

More than 150 sophomores from Milby HS, Westside HS, and the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy (YWCPA) in Houston ISD and Southwest HS in Fort Worth ISD competed in the fifth annual PetroChallenge held Sept. 20.

The computer simulation exercise, which took place this year at the Houston Community College’s Alief Campus, asks teams of students to form an energy company entering a new oil and gas field. Starting with $200 million in funds, their goal is to achieve the highest company value by finding oil or gas and investing in other teams’ opportunities.

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Find Out What Collegiate Military Options Are Available Sept. 25

Houston ISD is hosting United States Services Academies/ROTC Information Night at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th, 77092) from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 25.

Students, parents, counselors and teachers will learn about the country’s five service academies as well as the college ROTC programs at Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Sam Houston State University, Stephen F. Austin University, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, the University of Houston, and the University of Texas at Austin and at San Antonio.

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2007 and 2012 Bond Programs Progressing Within Budget and on Schedule

The HISD Board of Education held a workshop on Sept. 19 to receive progress updates on the district’s capital building programs, which are progressing within budget and on schedule.

As the Houston Independent School District moves forward with planning for the 2012 bond program to renovate, build or replace 40 schools, work is underway to finish all the projects in the 2007 bond program by the end of 2014.

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HISD Food Services Hosts Inaugural Community Health and Wellness Festival

Event will feature student chefs, free health services and fun family activities

In an effort to encourage healthy, active lifestyles, the Houston Independent School District’s Food Services Department is hosting its inaugural Community Health and Wellness Festival on September 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Forest High School, 10725 Mesa Drive.  The event is free and open to the public.

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HISD Introduces New Online Magnet Application Option to Parents

Six parent orientation sessions scheduled to familiarize parents with school choice options and new online system

The Houston Independent School Districts is launching a new online application system for parents and students wanting to attend any of the district’s 115 magnet programs. While paper applications will still be accepted, HISD is hosting a series of orientation sessions to familiarize parents with the new online option and outline the multitude of school choices available.  The first session will be on Tuesday, September 17 at 6 p.m. at Burbank Middle School, 315 Berry.

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Sixty HISD Students Named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Sixty seniors from six high schools throughout the Houston Independent School District have qualified as semifinalists in the prestigious National Merit Scholarship Program. HISD had 56 semifinalists last year.

The students are among 16,000 from across the country to earn the semifinalist designation, allowing them the opportunity to continue in the academic competition and vie for more than 8,000 college scholarships worth roughly $35 million.

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Beloved Teacher’s Illness Inspires Students to Give of Themselves, Literally

The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice was a sea of orange on Mon., Sept. 9. Orange is the color associated with leukemia, and the school went all out to support a beloved teacher in need of blood. Two Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center mobile coaches hosted some 60 students, staff, alumni, and even parents who signed up to donate blood for criminal justice teacher Donald Chasteen.

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Students Can Earn Incentives for Bringing No-shows Back to School

HISD students have the opportunity to earn a $100 gift card if they successfully locate and refer a classmate who has dropped out or has not yet enrolled for the 2013-2014 school year. The incentive program lasts from now until September 26 and is part of comprehensive districtwide effort called Youth Watch, which is aimed at reducing the district’s dropout rate.

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More Than 600 Volunteer in 10th Annual Grads Within Reach Walk

Hundreds of volunteers at 24 HISD high schools spent Saturday morning knocking on doors across Houston encouraging students who have not returned to school this academic year to re-enroll. The outreach effort was part of the 10th Annual Grads Within Reach Walk which led to 47 HISD students deciding to return to school immediately and many more promising to give school another try.

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