Lamar High School valedictorian prepares to change the world with activism, empathy

During his 13 years in HISD, Lamar High School graduate Michael Hamad collected quite a few superlatives. He maintained perfect attendance from kindergarten through his senior year, and he was named the 2024 senior class valedictorian. Maintaining perfect grades is a herculean task on its own, but Hamad’s ambitions far surpass going above and beyond for his own acclaim. In addition to his exceptional academic record, Hamad has a vision for a brighter and more equitable future, and he has big plans to make it happen. 

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Lights. Camera. Lead. HISD spotlights Star Educator Alisa Zapata

Dr. Alisa Zapata has served as principal of Westside High School since 2022, where she and her team work to provide a vital, engaging educational experience for their zoned students, Westside’s STEAM magnet, and Futures Academy of Health Science students. She is this week’s HISD Star Educator.

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HISD and community partners gear up for Back-to-School Bonanza

Houston ISD is hard at work preparing for the 2024-2025 school year. As our students, families and communities recover from the recent storm, community partners can lend their support by equipping students with school supplies.  

HISD’s Community Partnerships Department is teaming up with local community organizations to prepare students and their families for the upcoming school year with the annual Back-to-School Bonanza, a collaborative effort to provide essential learning resources and school supplies throughout the District. 

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Sunrise to You initiative brings resources to neighborhoods in need

Representatives from HISD’s Sunrise Centers visited Augustana Lutheran Church in Third Ward on June 28 to distribute resources to local families as part of the Sunrise to You initiative.

HISD’s seven Sunrise Centers are powerful assets to their local communities, and as the program grows in its second year, HISD is committed to making them accessible to all students and families, no matter where they live. 

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Lights. Camera. Lead. HISD spotlights Star Educator LaKia Jackson

Principal LaKia Jackson is leading impactful change at Fondren Middle School and is this week’s HISD Star Educator.

With two decades of experience in urban education, Jackson brings a passion for motivating both students and teachers to her NES campus. Together, Jackson and her team are building a high-performance culture backed by the school’s mantra of Excellence: Everyone-Everything-Everyday.

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HISD and Astros Foundation team up for graduation retention

HISD’s Sunrise Centers collaborated with the Astros Foundation for the District’s fourth annual Phone Bank event on June 18. The goal is to reach out to students who have either dropped out of school or not registered for the new school year and inform them of the options and resources available to help on their path to high school graduation.

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Lights. Camera. Lead. HISD spotlights Star Educator Alyssa Stevenson

Real transformation is underway in HISD schools, thanks to the educators and school leaders who are putting in the work to ensure our students receive high-quality instruction every day.

To spotlight these game-changing education leaders, we’re launching the Star Educators: Lights. Camera. Lead. series. You will see first hand their dedication to giving ALL HISD students the educational experiences they need and deserve. Join Chief of Leadership and Strategic Initiatives, Sandi Massey, each Tuesday as she sits down with a new campus leader on HISD’s social media channels.

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Girls in STEM mentor program empowers HISD middle schoolers

The Girls in STEM program recently concluded its successful 10-week mentoring program intended to inspire middle school girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The program is a collaboration sponsored by bp and Infosys Foundation USA, and engaged students from HISD’s West Briar Middle School, providing them with valuable insights and hands-on experiences.

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HISD seniors turn tassels a second time at HCC graduation

Days after receiving their high school diplomas, HISD dual-credit seniors accepted their associate degrees or professional certificates at Houston Community College’s (HCC) 2024 commencement ceremonies on Thursday, June 13.

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