Bay Area school districts get an A or Exemplary rating

September 1st, 2018

By Mary Alys Cherry

The TEA report card is in, and Clear Creek ISD and its 42,000 students earned an A or Exemplary rating from the Texas Education Agency.
So did Friendswood ISD and Pearland ISD, meaning this is certainly a good area for families with kids.

But first, Clear Creek ISD. Actually, the school district received three grades – A or 91 for student achievement, B or 84 for school progress, and an A or 95 for closing the gap – and an overall rating of A or 92.

So, where is this district doing exceptionally well? “Districts,” the TEA says, “earn an A (90–100) for exemplary performance when they serve most students well, encouraging high academic achievement and/or appropriate academic growth for almost all students. Most students will be prepared for eventual success in college, a career, or the military.”

The grade a district receives is based 40% on its STAAR performance, 40% on college, career and military readiness and 20% on its graduation rate, the education agency said. CCISD’s four-year graduation rate is 97.1% and rises to 98.5 after five years and 98.7 after six years with a 0.5% dropout rate.

How did students do academically? Most schools scored in the 80s with some scoring in the 70s and others in the 90s.

Clear Horizons Early College High School, where students are probably most focused on school work, scored a 98. But Clear Springs High was not far behind with a 95, along with Clear Falls High with a 92, Clear Lake High with a 91, Clear Creek with a 90 and Clear Brook, 87.

Highest scoring intermediate schools were Seabrook with a 94, and Westbrook and Victory Lakes, 91. At the elementary level, Gilmore took top honors with a 94, followed at 91 by Ralph Parr and Falcon Pass with a 90.

Friendswood ISD did even better than Clear Creek, scoring three A’s – 94 on student achievement, 91 on school progress and 96 on closing gaps, for an overall 94.

And, all its six schools scored A’s and in the 90s with a 93 for Friendswood High, 96 for Cline Elementary and Windsong Intermediate, 94 for Westwood and Bales Intermediate and 93 for Friendswood Junior High.

Pearland ISD also scored high with an A, B and A for scoring 92 on achievement, 89 on progress and 99 on closing the gap. Dawson High with a 92 and Turner Career High with a 93 both scored A’s while Pearland High had a B or 88 and Pace Center High had a 93.

Highest scoring middle schools were Pearland Junior High East; Miller and Alexander with a 94 and Pearland Junior High West, 93.

High scoring elementary campuses included Rusty Oaks, 94; Shadycrest and Silvercrest, 91; and Magnolia, 90.

Ratings for a number of school districts, including Pasadena, Dickinson, Alvin and Galveston, were delayed because of Hurricane Harvey.

Movers & Shakers: Trish Hanks

May 1st, 2017

Name: Trish Hanks

Occupation: Superintendent Friendswood ISD

Hometown: Galveston/Hitchcock

Current home: Friendswood

Family: Husband of 39 Years, Bruce; Children: Justin, Lauren, Melissa, and Charlie. Grandchildren: Beau, Brynn, Cameron and Savannah

My favorite writer is: Matthew Kelly

Someone I’d like to meet: Mother Teresa

If I could switch places with someone for just one day, I’d choose: My 21 year old self!

My favorite performers are: The three stars of Hidden Figures, the Eagles, Celine Dion, Alan Jackson and Alicia Keys.

I like to spend my leisure time: Playing with my four grandchildren, sight-seeing, writing and walking.

If I could travel any place, I’d go to: Italy

My favorite meal is: Italian at Carrabba’s

As a youngster, I wanted to grow up to be: A Rockette

You’ll never catch me: Saying “That’s impossible”

The thing that bugs me the most is: Using social media to spread false information

My favorite movie is: Hidden Figures

Few people know: I often write my own lyrics to songs and dance like no one is watching …I make sure no one is watching!

Bay Area students showing off their talents

March 28th, 2017

By Mary Alys Cherry

Bay Area Houston has long been known for its accomplishments in space. Before long it may become just as well known for its talent in arts as year after year its high school students in the Clear Creek, Friendswood and Pearland ISDs capture many nominations for the Tommy Tune Awards.

Sponsored by Theatre Under the Stars, the Tommy Tune competition recognizes excellence in musical theatre recognize and reward excellence in the production of musical theatre by high school students and their teachers. The 15th  annual Tommy Tune Awards Ceremony will be held at the Hobby Center in Houston on April 18.

CCISD nominees
Clear Springs High School’s musical production of Big Fish and Clear Lake High School’s musical production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying earned a number of 2017 Tommy Tune Award nominations.

Clear Springs earned a total of 14 nominations, including Best Overall Production. Big Fish is also nominated for two Best Leading Actor awards (Noah Carlin and Will Bloom), Best Leading Actress (Hannah Hayes), Best Supporting Actress (Haley Dougherty), Best Featured Performer (Kyle Benaquisto), Best Ensemble/Chorus, Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Stage Crew/Technical Execution, Best Musical Direction, Best Choreography and Best Direction. Clear Lake earned nominations for Best Scenic Design and Best Lighting Design.

With the Best Overall Production nomination, Clear Springs High School students will have the honor of performing a selection from Big Fish during the ceremony.

The Clear Springs High Theatre Department is led by Director Mark Stonebarger. The Choir Department is led by Director Rob Phillips. The Clear Lake High School Theatre Department is led by Director Candace Currie.

Friendswood nominees
Friendswood High School’s production of Les Miserables also received 14 nominations in the 17 possible categories including Best Musical or Best Over All Production.

Its other nominations are: Best Direction – Kathy Powdrell; Best Choreography – Alyssa Goza and Katelyn Gallagher; Best Musical Direction – Janwin Overstreet Goode and Michael Tyer; Best Orchestra – Julio Sanchez and Conductor Michael Tyer; Best Technical Execution/Best Crew; Best Lighting Design; Best Scenic Design; Best Ensemble; Best Supporting Actor – Clayton Senter and Cade Tucker; Best Lead Actress – Emily Mesa; Best Lead Actor – Alex Rudd and Max Morgan.

Pearland ISD nominees
Pearland High students’ production of the well-known Broadway musical Pippin’ captured eight Tommy Tune nominations for the Brazoria County school and quickly sent the PHS cast and crew on the path to happiness.

When nominations were announced, PHS claimed eight of the 15 possible nominations for excellence in high school musical theatre:

Best Supporting Actor (Brendan King); Best Ensemble/Chorus; Best Costume Design; Best Lighting Design; Best Stage Crew & Technical Execution; Best Musical Direction; Best Choreography; and Best Direction.

The awards are named in honor of Tony Award-winning performer, director and choreographer Tommy Tune, who grew up in Houston.

 

Bay Area Houston Magazine