Category Archives: High Schools

Academic calendar for 2019-2020 school year now available online

The academic calendar for the 2019-2020 school year, which was approved by the Board of Education this month, is now available online.

The calendar was drafted with input from a committee made up of principals, union representatives, and departments across the district, as well as the District Advisory Committee.

The first day of school for students will be Aug. 26, and the final day of classes for students will be May 29.

The academic calendar includes the first districtwide holiday and day of community service in honor of Latino empowerment icons César Chávez and Dolores Huerta on Monday, March 30. Meanwhile, the Fall Holiday is set for Wednesday, Oct. 9.

View the calendar in English and Spanish here.

 

Learn about AP courses at AP Parent Night on Nov. 29 

HISD’s Innovation and Postsecondary Programming will host Advanced Placement Parent Night— an informational event where parents can learn more about AP courses at HISD.

The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W 18th St. Houston 77092).

All HISD middle and high schools offer advanced-level coursework designed to prepare students for success in college. During the 2017-2018 school year, 10,242 HISD students received college credit by scoring well on their AP exams, saving their families $11,782,500 in college tuition. Both AP and pre-AP courses leverage rigorous instruction to help students become independent learners.   Continue reading

Construction on new Madison HS nears completion

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Construction on Madison High School’s new building is nearly complete, with final preparations currently underway and an opening day set for January 2019.

Installation of carpet and vinyl flooring is wrapping up, and crews have begun installation of ceiling tile. The installation of the seating and wood flooring in the auditorium and gymnasium is also underway.

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Nutrition Services to host annual Thanksgiving lunch for students

HISD Nutrition Services is gearing up to host its annual Thanksgiving lunch for students across the district on Thursday, Nov. 15.

The special celebration, occurring during normal lunch hours, is an HISD tradition that has attracted thousands of families to school cafeterias for more than 50 years. The event gives parents a chance to celebrate the holiday a week early by sharing a meal with their children.

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Inaugural STAAR award recipient announced

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Sam Houston SMTC junior Vanessa Luna Tinoco received the Sofia John STAAR Achievement Award recently for having the most improved score on the second round of STAAR science testing. Tinoco received $600 and a story about her posted on the  school’s website.

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HISD bus riders to begin scanning bus badges on Monday

HISD bus riders at 22 pilot schools across the district began scanning their badges as they got on and off the bus this week as part of the official launch of Student Badge Program.

The 22 pilot schools were tapped to lead the initiative, giving Transportation Services time to review the initial rollout and refine the program as needed before implementing it districtwide next week.

Bus riders at all remaining HISD schools will begin scanning their badges during the week of Oct. 29.

“No one will be refused transportation if they don’t have a badge. However, it’s important for students to remember to bring and scan their badges every day,” Transportation Services Interim General Manager John Wilcots IV said. “These badges give us — and their parents — access to real-time information about when and where students get off the bus. But no badge equals no data.” Continue reading

Austin HS prepares for start of construction

Construction crews at Austin High School spent much of the summer working to complete demolition, abatement, and underground site work in preparation for the start of construction on their new building.

While significant progress was made, the project encountered some hurdles. City of Houston permitting procedures changed and now require additional documents and information to be submitted. Additionally, asbestos removal took longer than anticipated.

To accommodate the additional time needed to procure the permit and safely remove hazardous materials from the construction site, school and project officials have updated the construction timeline. The school is now scheduled to will move into its new facility in summer 2020, with students and staff returning for the 2020-2021 school year. Continue reading

Eastwood Academy HS celebrates opening of new building additions

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Members of the East End community joined with the students and staff of Eastwood Academy on Friday, Oct. 19 to celebrate the completion and opening of the school’s new additions and renovations.

Built as part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, the $10.9 million project was completed in two phases. The first phase, which opened in January of this year, included renovations to the existing building and construction of an administrative wing. Phase two, a two-story library wing, opened for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“Our students have long-deserved a place that reflects their tremendous achievements,” Eastwood Academy Principal Brandi Lira said. “I am so grateful for the bond program, the district administrators, and the trustees, that they believed in making this building a reality for our students.” Continue reading

Yates HS welcomes guests to Lion’s Den to celebrate school’s grand opening

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A sea of crimson and gold filled the foyer of Jack Yates High School on Oct. 16, as guests donning the school’s colors gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the new 208,000 square foot building.

A host of special guests and community members joined students, faculty, and staff to recognize the special occasion. The festivities kicked off with high energy as the school’s Marching Motion band provided a show-stopping performance.

“The new building offers brand new technology and a new atmosphere,” Senior Class President Alyss Kerl said. “As a senior in the school of communication, printing technology pathway, I have been provided a new studio in the printing image tech class, which has allowed students to be introduced to industrial printing machines.” Continue reading

Transportation Services begins bus badge distribution

HISD Transportation Services began distributing personalized badges this week to HISD student bus riders as part of the district’s Student Badge Program.

Badge distribution began Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19 for a 22-school pilot group with general distribution across the district set to begin on Monday, Oct. 22.

The 22-school pilot group includes: Elmore, Herod, Lockhart, Parker, and River Oaks elementary schools; Woodson PK-5; Fondren, Pershing and West Briar middle schools; Carnegie Vanguard, Chavez, Lamar, Waltrip, Westbury, and Westside high schools; DeBakey High School for Health Professions, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School; Houston Academy for International Studies, Gregory-Lincoln Educational Center, Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan; Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy for Young Men; and High School for Law and Justice. Continue reading