Preliminary STAAR scores show significant gains in reading, math for HISD students in grades 5 and 8

At least 70 percent of Houston Independent School District fifth- and eighth-graders passed STAAR reading and math exams this year, according to preliminary numbers from the Texas Education Agency. On the math test, a slight majority of the eighth-graders, 51 percent, who passed with minimum scores last year, passed with scores well above the minimum this year.  

Overall, the most significant improvements on the STAAR exams were seen among students who attend some of the district’s lowest-performing elementary and middle schools: Blackshear, Dogan, Highland Heights, Mading, Wesley and Woodson elementary schools, along with Patrick Henry Middle School. 

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Eliot ES earns Lighthouse School distinction

Leadership, potential, change, motivation, education. These five core standards are on display at HISD’s Eliot Elementary School, which led the campus to become one of only two schools in the district to be named a Leader in Me Lighthouse School.  

This distinction, given by the FranklinCovey Foundation, is given to schools like Eliot Elementary that have produced outstanding results and student outcomes by implementing the Leader in Me Program.  

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HISD summer STEM camp promotes 21st-century skills

Bailey, a rising third-grader from Travis Elementary School, wanted to grow up to be a cheerleading coach, but after just two days at HISD’s STEM Summer Camp at Heights High School, those dreams have changed. 

“I used to want to be a professional cheerleading coach, but now I want to be somebody who helps NASA,” she said. “Now, I want to work in Mission Control.” 

Bailey, along with hundreds of other students from around the district, is spending her summer break learning about robotics and coding. This is the first year for the summer program, which provides STEM-based curriculum activities for students in grades 3-12.  

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Mimi Lam named new principal of Whidby Elementary School

Mimi Lam has been selected as the new principal of Whidby Elementary School. She has served as a teacher, teacher specialist, and assistant principal at Cornelius Elementary School for 14 years. During her tenure at Cornelius, she provided instructional support to teachers and implemented a new writing plan that exposed scholars to new experiences that equipped them with the knowledge to be able to write freely. Lam received a bachelor’s in Journalism from University of Houston and a master’s in Educational Leadership from University of St. Thomas. 

Eileen Puente named new principal of Rucker Elementary School

Eileen Puente has been selected as the new principal of Rucker Elementary School. For the last 12 years, she has served as a teacher, reading interventionist, magnet coordinator and assistant principal. As an assistant principal at Patterson Elementary School, she led the campus to earn five TEA distinctions in 2017. Her recognitions include Teacher of the Year, ESL Teacher of the Year, and 2019 East Area Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year. Puente holds a bachelor’s in Applied Learning and Development from the University of Texas at Austin, master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Houston, and a master’s in Business Administration (MBAE) from University of St. Thomas.

Angel Wilson named new principal of Gregory-Lincoln Education Center

Angel Wilson has been selected as the new principal of Gregory-Lincoln Educational Center. Wilson joined HISD as a fifth-grade teacher at Codwell Elementary School where she was also named 2010 District Elementary Teacher of the Year. She has served in various campus support and leadership roles such as dean of instruction at Durkee Elementary School as well as an assistant principal at Thompson Elementary School and Lanier Middle School. In 2017, she was named principal of Cornelius Elementary School. Wilson holds a bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education and a master’s in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University. She is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership from University of Texas at Austin. 

Shanica Mitchell named new principal of Young Elementary School

Shanica Mitchell has been selected as the new principal of Young Elementary School. Since joining HISD nine years ago, she has served as a dean of instruction at Frost Elementary School, as well as a teacher and instructional specialist. Under her instructional leadership, Frost earned three or more TEA distinctions for four consecutive years. She holds a bachelor’s in Elementary Education and a master’s in Educational Administration from University of Houston. 

Jorge Ortiz named new principal of Pugh Elementary School

Jorge Ortiz has been selected as the new principal of Pugh Elementary School. Since joining HISD from Aldine ISD, Ortiz has served as a teacher specialist and most recently an assistant principal at Pugh, where he led the campus out of IR status and meeting state standards during the 2017–2018 academic school year. Ortiz holds a bachelor’s in Communication Studies from University of Texas at Austin and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University.

John Flowers named new principal of Highland Heights Elementary School

John Flowers has been selected as the new principal of Highland Heights Elementary School. Flowers began his teaching career at Hohl Elementary School in 2001 and has served as an instructional coordinator at DeChaumes and Roosevelt Elementary Schools. As an assistant principal at Kashmere High School, Flowers’ turnaround efforts have produced increased student achievement and engagement. He holds a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

Jason Davila named new principal of Henry Middle School

Jason Davila has been selected as the new principal of Henry Middle School. Davila began his career at HISD as an assistant principal at McReynolds Middle School in 2015 and previously served as a principal at Pugh Elementary School. While at Pugh, he focused on building a strong academic program and support system that focused on the care of students, parents, and teachers. Davila’s biggest achievement at Pugh was leading the campus out of IR status to earning a Met Standard rating with Distinctions in science and comparative growth during the first year of his leadership. Pugh was also rated a B campus by the Texas Education Agency. Davila holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a master’s degree from Lamar University.