Heights Schools Overview - Houston Heights Association Jan 2017 Meeting
I attended the first Houston Heights Association (HHA) meeting of 2017 this past January as a new member, resident, landlord, parent, and Realtor specializing in the Heights. This meeting focused on our community schools. Principals from all but one Heights school gave short presentations on their progress and welcomed discussion afterwards. I found this meeting very informative and encourage new Heights locals to join HHA and attend meetings when you can, to make your neighborhood even stronger and better.
The Houston Heights Association (HHA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit civic organization that promotes and fosters friendship, goodwill and community spirit within and around the Houston Heights. Proceeds from membership dues, sponsorships, donations, and fundraising events go directly into the community for beautification, restoration, and maintenance of the Heights Boulevard esplanade, Marmion and Donovan parks, and the Houston Heights City Hall & Fire Station.
Without further ado, below are notes I took from the meeting. Please verify any details with HHA or neighborhood school administrators, as I can't confirm I got everything right as I tried to keep up!
Special Announcements:
- Donovan Park: In February, the mulch at Donovan Park will be replenished. As a result it will be closed for a few hours one morning. Stay tuned to NextDoor for the announcement.
- HHA is committed to schools: Monetarily and voluntarily, providing grants and programs to Heights schools.
School Presentations
Presented by Lola Perejon-Lasheras, Principal
- First year Principal, but previously was VP at Helms for four years.
- Magnet dual language program. 80% Spanish / 20% English Pre-K4-2nd Grade. 50% / 50% in grades 3-5.
- 50% native and 50% non-native. So kids all have a buddy (one to help with English and one to help with Spanish, when needed).
- Strong Fine Arts: Has teachers for music, art, Hispanic culture and art.
- Public Speaking and Theater also strong
- Program on revitalizing the wetlands on bayou
- Encourages community and parental volunteers to come visit, read to students, teach a class, etc.
Presented by Robert Chavarria, Principal
- 12th year Principal
- Love is also dual language, in its second year of implementation.
- Curriculum differs from Helms in that it is 50/50% Spanish and English throughout.
- STEM and Fine Arts School
- Has a "First Knight" program with the Heights Rotary Club that rewards students for making good choices and behavior based on the virtues of knights. We acknowledge good grades of course, but think its important to reward good choices too.
Presented by Laura Alaniz, Principal
- 2nd year Principal at Harvard.
- IB School and STEM Magnet program
- IB is inquiry based model of teaching. Lessons are open ended and based on students inquiries.
- Don't just focus on test preparation.
- Students are assessed through student led conferences. Students share their progress with parents at the end of the year and have to come up with their own project to demonstrate what they learned.
- Synergy between the students, parents and teachers is remarkable.
- Have multimedia enrichment for older students including filming and strong robotics.
- This year, huge progress in application rates. Raised the app quota from 650 to 920 (not including Pre-K). If you include Pre-K then over 1000 applicants this year.
- Harvard is always looking for ways to partner with the community.
- HHA provided grant this year that allowed Harvard to introduce Culinary Arts.
Presented by John Hendrickson, Principal
- 11th year Principal. Since 1929, he is the 6th Principal, so very little turnover.
- HHA funded field trips and other programs for the school, thank you.
- Solid academic program, please look up non partisan ratings online, all good.
- Fantastic music teacher.
- Afterschool programs include IDEA lab and fine arts.
- Higher population of economically disadvantaged children but they do well.
Presented by Wendy Hampton, Principal
- Vanguard Magnet program - has grown over the last three years by 150%
- Over 60% not in district.
- Academically have made high achievements.
- Well rounded students, we offer a long list of extras: fine arts, award band, story theater, graphic design, STEM, robotics. Students created video games last year.
- Good sports program, strong. Football zone champions for 3 years, 2 years undefeated. Soccer 2 years undefeated. Girls basketball currently undefeated.
- Authors visit and do talks
- Service organization works with Heights rotary.
- Lots of growth over the past 3 years.
Presented by Angela Sugarek, Principal
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