Category Archives: High Schools

Students celebrate excellent attendance and more at superhero bash

Lee High School hosted their fifth annual Perfect Attendance Outstanding Student Bash on May 21, 2015. More than 250 students were honored for attendance, academic improvement, and making the honor roll. Each student received an award certificate to commemorate his or her accomplishment.

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School districts, police agencies join Ministers Against Crime to ensure safe conclusion of school year

With the school year quickly coming to an end, the Houston Independent School District Police Department is once again teaming up with local law enforcement agencies and religious leaders with its annual Project Safe Start event.

The citywide effort aims to help prevent crime and increase safety, ensuring students’ summer vacations begin on a positive note.

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Seniors take D.C. by storm

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Lofty goals can make a traveler of anyone. Forty Wheatley High School seniors journeyed to Washington, D.C. May 12-15, 2015, for a leadership conference hosted by Close Up, an organization that encourages students to become engaged with democracy. Students applied for the trip by writing essays about Rosa Parks.

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College-bound seniors celebrate at Academic Signing Day

Nearly 200 graduating seniors from HISD — many wearing college T-shirts — signed certificates of intent to attend various colleges on May 21, while their proud parents cheered them on. Pennants, pompoms, and other college paraphernalia at each table marked the students’ school preferences during the third annual Academic Signing Day event, which took place at the Region 4 Service Center.

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Four college-bound ambassadors from each HISD high school were recognized during the event for their academic excellence, school and community involvement, and ability to overcome personal obstacles. Many of the students will be the first in their families to attend college. Continue reading →

HISD Superintendent named ‘Champion of Children’ by Children’s Defense Fund

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier was honored Thursday as a “Champion of Children” during the 16th annual Beat the Odds Awards Luncheon hosted by the Children’s Defense Fund-Texas. Grier was honored Thursday for his outstanding leadership and service to children and families in the community.

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The award is the result of a partnership between the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and AASA, the School Superintendents’ Association. Together, they promote the importance of good health in ensuring that children learn, develop, and succeed in school, and work to enroll families in Medicaid and the the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).  Continue reading →

Carnegie Vanguard chemistry teacher wins prestigious award

Rajadurai_Christy_150Christy Rajadurai, a chemistry teacher at Carnegie Vanguard High School, has won the 2015 Thomas Aczel Award for Excellence in High School Teaching from the American Chemical Society – Greater Houston Section (ACS-GHS).

Rajadurai will be presented with a $500 check and a plaque at the ACS-GHS Spring Awards Banquet on June 3. As the winner for the Greater Houston Section, Rajadurai is now a candidate for the ACS Southwest Regional Award.

Rajadurai has taught Advanced Placement and pre-Advanced Placement chemistry for five years at Carnegie.

HISD superintendent surprises Bellaire High School student with $10,000 scholarship

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Houston Independent School District Superintendent Terry Grier made a surprise visit to Bellaire High School on Wednesday to present a dedicated and hardworking graduating senior with a $10,000 college scholarship.

The award was given to Alisa Hamilton, who was selected by Dr. Grier because of her drive to succeed academically and be involved on campus despite significant personal challenges. Hamilton, who is homeless, does not live with her parents and has worked two part-time jobs to make ends meet. She has done all of this while maintaining good grades and participating in Bellaire’s DECA business club. Continue reading →

High school seniors look forward to maritime careers

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Senior students in the Yates High School Maritime program recently took a big step forward in their education. On May 14, five seniors in the Maritime program received their Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) cards at the TWIC La Porte office. TWIC cards grant these students access to U.S. ports, waterways, maritime facilities, and vessels.

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Texas Connections Academy giving athletes the ‘flexibility’ needed to compete

The Kelley sisters, from left, are: Skyla, Shayla, McKenna, and Emma

The Kelley sisters, from left, are: Skyla, Shayla, McKenna, and Emma

The Texas Connections Academy has been providing students from across the state with the ability to obtain their high-school diplomas online since 2008. Many pupils are attracted by the flexibility of the program, which allows them to accommodate unconventional work schedules, challenging family obligations, or other responsibilities that make traditional programs unfeasible.

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Board of Education announces student awards for 2014–2015 school year

Trustee Paula Harris (far L) presents the Board Awards to some of the first graduate from the Young Women's College Preparatory Academy

Trustee Paula Harris (far L) presents the Board Awards to some of the first graduate from the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy

Each year, the HISD Board of Education honors distinguished seniors from district high schools in recognition of their accomplishments, as exemplified by their character, academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Selections are made by school-based committees appointed by each principal and the awards are presented by the trustee representing each district during commencement exercises.

One outstanding young man and young woman are selected from each high school, as well as up to five honorable mention students. A list of this year’s award recipients is here (.pdf) and a list of the students receiving honorable mention is here (.pdf).