Category Archives: High Schools

Yates HS students enter the new Lion’s Den for the first day of school

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Festive music and cheers filled the air of the new Yates High School as students danced their way into the new facility to kick off the 2018-2019 school year.

More than 20 alumni — donning crimson and gold — gathered at the school’s main entrance chanting the school song as the band and color guard performed for students and staff in celebration of the new facility.

“The building brings life to Yates and the community,” said Yates alumnus Marcus Brooks, who is also the father to a current Yates senior. “It’s something new and fresh for the kids.”

Continue reading →

New Energy Institute HS helps students, staff embrace project-based learning

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A big smile spread across Samaya Watson’s face as she looked around the wide, brightly colored hallway adorned with inspirational phrases and clusters of modern furniture, where she and her classmates could gather.

“It feels like I’m in a Disney movie,” the 16-year-old Energy Institute High School junior said, giggling as she joked that she was expecting her classmates to break out into song and dance at any moment. “The atmosphere is different. Everybody just feels excited to learn and do new things.” Continue reading →

Bond Oversight Committee updated on school construction; 13 campuses set to open

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The 2018-2019 school year is shaping up to be a busy one for the Houston Independent School District, with 13 new campuses opening next month and five more slated to open in January.

The Bond Oversight Committee learned about the progress of the projects during their quarterly meeting on Tuesday.

To date, the district has opened 27 bond and non-bond projects and expects the current portfolio of building programs to surpass 80 percent completion by the end of 2018. Continue reading →

Milestone for 2012 Bond Program as construction gets underway at Bellaire HS

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Excavators roared to life at Bellaire High School last month, marking the beginning of construction on the new facility and a significant milestone in the 2012 Bond Program, as all remaining projects are now underway.

The first phase of construction — also known as pre-construction — includes installation of underground detention and site utilities, demolition of the Career and Technology Education building, and creation of a temporary parking area to replace the South Rice Boulevard lot, which will become part of the construction site. Continue reading →

Eastwood Academy library addition nearing completion

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Eastwood Academy is set to open a new two-story library wing this August as crews put the finishing touches on the second and final phase of the school’s expansion and renovation project.

Installation of exterior masonry and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems have been completed, and window installation is set to wrap up this week. Crews are in the process of hanging sheetrock inside the addition, which will be followed by internal inspections and installation of internal fixtures and finishes.     Continue reading →

Milby HS team takes second place in national Cooking up Change competition

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What do you get when you combine chicken, zucchini, pinto beans, bananas, and yogurt?

You get the menu that snagged second place in the national Cooking up Change contest held this week at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C.

The Broadway Buffs of Milby High School — made up of students Roberto Blas, Jordyn Moore, and Esteven Mata — beat out four teams from Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Troy, Ala., to bring home the second-place trophy. The team from Orange County took top honors. Continue reading →

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

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 →

HSPVA and HSLJ graduating seniors get glimpse of new facilities

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It was a bittersweet moment for seniors from the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) and High School for Law and Justice (HSLJ) as they recently got a sneak peek inside their schools’ newly constructed buildings.

HSLJ students held a senior awards breakfast in their new building, while HSPVA students were treated to a barbeque lunch during their visit. Both groups posed for a special class photo to commemorate the occasion.

“We really wanted them to see the new building before they moved on,” HSLJ Principal Carol Mosteit said. “The students were amazed when they walked in. Their faces were priceless.”

As part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, both schools are receiving new buildings, which will be completed later this year. HSLJ will open to students in August, and HSPVA will open to students in January 2019. Continue reading →

Summer reading program ‘block party’ encourages kids of all ages to read, earn prizes 

Summer is the perfect time for students to hone their reading skills, and thanks to a partnership with the Houston Public Library, they can have fun while doing just that.

HISD is encouraging students to join the Houston Public Library’s summer reading program for kids and teens called “Summer Block Party,” which kicks off June 1 and runs through Aug. 1.

Students can receive a free book and lanyard simply by registering. At each prize level, students earn another book and pins to decorate their lanyards and show off their success. They can earn pins by reaching their reading goals, attending library activities, and being an active member in their communities.  Continue reading →

Northside HS senior receives first HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Award 

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Northside senior Sofia Flores got a big surprise in class Tuesday morning when she was named the first-ever recipient of the HISD Superintendent and Board of Education Scholar Awards.

The scholarships, which will be distributed to one senior at every high school through next week, recognizes students who have exemplified great character and resilience.

HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, with District I Trustee Elizabeth Santos, had the honor of presenting Sofia with an oversized $5,000 check. Lathan highlighted the importance of the scholarships and helping students who had overcome significant obstacles to pursue their dream of going to college.

“We want to help them in their endeavors as they embark on the next leg of their journey,” she said.

Sofia has flourished in her studies despite losing her younger brother, Josue Flores, who was killed as he was walking home from his school. Just days ago marked the two-year anniversary of his murder, which remains unsolved.

Sofia was her younger brother’s personal tutor, guiding him to academic success and nurturing his love of math and science. It was in her interactions with him that inspired her to go to the University of Texas and study education. She hopes to one day return to HISD as a teacher.

“I am actually honored to get this scholarship,” Sofia said. “Helping him inspired me to be a teacher, and everything I do, I do for him.”