Category Archives: High Schools

New Yates HS to offer unparalleled 360-degree views of Houston

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When construction of the new Yates High School is complete next year, it will offer unparalleled views of the city with Downtown Houston to the north, Texas Medical Center to the south, and the Galleria to the west.

The 360-degree view — which includes University of Houston to the east and Texas Southern University to the west — is already visible from top floors of the building, the construction of which is almost a quarter of the way completed.

“It’s starting to move very quickly,” said Yates Principal Ken Davis, who got his first glimpse at the new school during a recent Project Advisory Team meeting and site visit. “I’m excited about that. It’s an exciting feeling to know it is happening. After years of planning, it’s actually happening.”

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Hundreds attend dedication for new DeBakey HS for Health Professions

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More than 300 students, teachers, parents, and medical center community members converged on the Texas Medical Center on Thursday to celebrate the dedication of the new DeBakey High School for Health Professions.

Columns of blue and white balloons flanked center stage and music from the DeBakey orchestra filled the five-story atrium as attendees took their seats, eager to celebrate the school’s opening and tour the new facility.

“This year we will be celebrating 45 years,” DeBakey Principal Agnes Perry said. “DeBakey High School for Health Professions has successfully introduced and honed an innovative magnet school model.”

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Northside HS construction project underway

Bond community meeting to update construction plan at Northside High School, April 12, 2017. (Dave Einsel/Houston ISD)

Construction is underway at Northside High School, where crews already have begun to demolish the old front entrance and gut and renovate the second floor library space.

By the end of the summer, work on the library — a portion of which will be transformed into new classrooms — as well as work on restrooms, common areas, and utilities throughout the building, will be complete, and new temporary buildings will be fully installed.

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HISD senior “grad walks” help inspire younger peers 

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Cheers, chants, and high-fives echoed through the hallways at HISD elementary schools this week as high school seniors marched single-file past their younger peers – a tradition of “grad walks” that are gaining in popularity every year.

The walks were held not only to give the seniors a sense of pride, but to help inspire the elementary students to follow on their own paths toward becoming Global Graduates.

High schools that held grad walks this year include: Austin HS, Sterling Aviation HS, Northside HS, Sharpstown HS, Sharpstown International School, Wheatley HS, and Westside HS.

Nearly 11,000 seniors from HISD will graduate in dozens of ceremonies across the city starting today.

Construction begins on new Madison HS

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Work on the new Madison High School is now underway as crews have demolished athletic fields and begun construction on a new parking lot across the street from the current building.

The work is part of the project’s first phase, which also includes construction of the new high school.  Passersby can expect to see steel being erected over the summer as crews officially begin construction of the building.

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Class of 2017 set to graduate in ceremonies across the city this week

Nearly 11,000 high school seniors from across the Houston Independent School District will receive their diplomas at graduation ceremonies this week for the Class of 2017.

Students from HISD’s Class of 2017 have received more than 10,000 acceptances to state colleges as well as top-tier colleges and universities across the country. To date, the entire senior class has racked up more than $342 million and counting worth of scholarships and financial aid awards.

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Austin HS readying for construction of new school

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A temporary campus will begin to take shape this summer just across the street from Austin High School as crews begin installing modular buildings to accommodate students during construction of their new school.

The temporary campus will be located along South Lockwood Drive, directly behind the current school. Students will have access to the same programming, activities, clubs, and sports that are currently being offered. Continue reading →

Bellaire HS senior twins have matching GPAs and class rank 

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Bellaire High School’s Connelly twins may look alike, but they have forged two very different paths in high school.

Caitlin is varsity swim captain, loves Spanish and will attend Texas Christian University. Gillian is a varsity cheerleader, likes art and history, and will attend Texas A&M. So imagine their mother’s surprise when the calculations for GPA and class rank came back: The girls have the exact same numbers.

“I found it odd that they had exactly the same GPA and class rank,” said Elizabeth Connelly, who teaches second grade at Horn Elementary school. “I thought there must be a mistake, so I contacted the school to verify the information. But it’s correct.” Caitlin and Gillian both have a 3.8 GPA and a class rank of 208 out of 789 students at Bellaire.   Continue reading →

Sharpstown HS construction progresses at full speed

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Construction of the new Sharpstown High School is nearly two-thirds of the way complete, with the new facility expected to open to students in January 2018 when they return from winter break.

Project officials said the concrete walls of the gym and exterior glass wall in the main building are nearly complete, and the interior painting and tiling are halfway done. In addition, air conditioning units have been installed on the roof, wooden cabinets are being installed in science labs, and the outdoor amphitheater is being formed. Continue reading →

HISD to honor teachers, principals at annual Educators of the Year banquet

The Houston Independent School District will honor its principals and teachers at a Hawaiian-themed Educators of the Year banquet on Friday, May 19, at the Bayou City Event Center.

During the event, the district will announce its 2016-2017 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, as well as the recipients of the Beginning Teacher of the Year honors for elementary, middle school, and high school. The Fan Favorite Teacher, who was selected by survey, also will be announced.

Earlier this school year, the 2016-2017 Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year were named, and two instructional coaches were presented the first-ever Ann Sledge Instructional Coach Excellence Awards. Those award recipients also will be recognized at the event.

Fourteen finalists were named for the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the year. The two winners will go on to represent the district in Region 4. The 14 finalists were selected from all 287 campuses based on performance data and other criteria. Continue reading →