Tag Archives: Washington HS

Washington HS pool construction nears halfway mark

Washington High School students soon will be able to practice their favorite swimming strokes in their new four-lane pool and natatorium, which is set to open in April. 

Tracking at 45 percent completion, the natatorium features large garage-style overhead coiling doors that open to allow fresh air inside and fencing at each opening to maintain a secure perimeter.  

The pool’s concrete foundation was poured last month, and pool walls are being constructed. After the pool is formed, the concrete deck and locker rooms will be finished.  

Continue reading →

Washington HS celebrates the past and future in new building

Leave a reply

Booker T. Washington High School alumni, community leaders, special guests, and elected officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the school’s 125-year anniversary and newly built engineering magnet school.

The $56.5 million project, which is part of HISD’s 2012 Bond Program, highlights the use of 21st century technology through its specialized engineering and science labs and flexible learning spaces that support project-based instruction and encourages collaboration.
Continue reading →

New Washington HS set to open for the 2018-2019 school year

Leave a reply

When students enter the new Washington High School this fall, they will be greeted by a prominent image of civil rights activist and educator Booker T. Washington.

This year marks the 125th anniversary for the school, which was built in 1893 as the city’s first African-American high school.

Washington Principal Carlos Phillips said he is excited to move into the new school and looking forward to presenting the facility to the community.

Continue reading →

Washington HS students create special works of art

1 Reply

A project for an art class at Booker T. Washington High School has turned into a special gift for a university president on behalf of HISD. Students in Maya Imani Watson’s art class created a piece that highlights the late poet Maya Angelou. The piece will be gifted to Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, the newly minted president of Prairie View A&M University.

Continue reading →

Construction on new Washington HS nearing completion

Leave a reply

Washington High School students and staff are edging closer to moving into their new building with the construction project now 85 percent complete.

Tile flooring and doors have been installed, as have cabinetry, countertops, and fume hoods in the career and technology classrooms, science and agricultural labs, and computer-aided design spaces. Crews are installing bathroom fixtures and sinks in the science and engineering labs where painting and floor staining also are underway.

In addition, crews are nearly done painting the auditorium and administrative offices and wrapping up installation of the school’s elevator.

Continue reading →

Washington HS construction on track for Spring 2018 opening

Leave a reply

Construction of the new Washington High School campus is edging closer toward the three-quarter completion mark, with flooring, drywall, ceiling, and window installation all underway.

The $56.5 million project is a part of the voter-approved 2012 Bond Program, which calls for the renovation or rebuilding of 40 schools, including 29 high schools.

Site utility installation for the new school is currently in progress, project officials said. Exterior brick installation is nearly complete, as are the visitor and faculty parking areas. The school’s front bus loop also is more than halfway done.

Continue reading →

Achieve 180 debuts with parade and community event in Sunnyside

Leave a reply

Worthing feeder pattern schools join forces for ‘Southside Takeover’

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza took to the streets of the Sunnyside community on Saturday, Aug. 19, for the first ever “Southside Takeover,” a back-to-school bash to kick-off the start of the 2017-2018 school year and the start of Achieve180.

“Achieve 180 is more than a plan or initiative,” said Carranza. “It’s a movement to better serve our historically underserved and academically challenged schools.”

The “Southside Takeover” featured Carranza at the helm of a parade with students, staff, and parents from Worthing High School, along with various other campuses in the south area, and a resource fair for families with free immunizations, school supplies, backpacks, uniforms, food, and entertainment. Continue reading →

Washington HS students and staff sign beam for new building 

Leave a reply

Students and staff at Booker T. Washington High School had the opportunity on Friday to add their signatures to a steel beam being used in the construction of their new school, which is part of HISD’s 2012 bond program.

“It’s great to see the steel beams and columns going up,” said Washington Principal Carlos Phillips. “We’re happy about the progress and can’t wait to move-in next year.”

Continue reading →

HISD students raise SAT/PSAT scores by hundreds of points using free test prep from Khan Academy

Leave a reply


Two Booker T. Washington students have become national ambassadors for successful SAT/PSAT prep by  increasing their scores a combined 670 points, thanks to free practice tools available to every HISD student through Khan Academy.

In mid-October, the CollegeBoard flew Valencia Grayson and Matthew Blue to the Council of the Great City Schools fall conference in Miami, where they were honored for their success with the Khan SAT prep. HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza also attended the conference, where HISD was recognized for actively promoting the Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy.

Continue reading →

Booker T. Washington High School breaks ground on new building

Leave a reply

Booker T. Washington High School celebrated a big milestone Tuesday morning with a festive groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on a new $51.7 million campus.

More than 100 parents, students, staff, alumni, and community members attended the event and were joined by HISD Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, State Sen. John Whitmire and Houston City Councilwoman Karla Cisneros.

Continue reading →