Quality education in
Houston depends on committed teachers and modern resources. New teaching methods focus on engaging students, empowering them to work towards their own future and reach their true potential. As such, it's important for homebuyers to consider which school their child will attend.
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Alief Kerr High School in Houston is a prestigious public school that first opened in 1994. The U.S. Department of Education bestowed the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence upon the school for the 2010-2011 academic year. The award is the highest a school can earn in the U.S.
Unlike traditional schools, Kerr gives students freedom to study at their own level and pace. The school doesn't specialize in any one subject, but offers a prestigious performing arts program. Students are encouraged to ask teachers for focused guidance to create an individualized learning plan.
After a teacher sets deadlines for homework assignments, projects, and exams, a student is free to complete the course at their own speed. Students who pick up on topics quickly can complete courses in a fraction of a term, while those who need more time can use up to the entire term. Apart from weekly seminars, teachers are available for one-on-one instruction or specialized lessons at a student's request.
Rather than assign daily work, teachers hand out personal activity kits (PAKs) that comprise all of the resources students need to succeed in the course. The flexible nature of this system pushes students to help one another, attend seminars, form study groups, and seek out teachers for additional lessons. After a student submits a PAK, they are tested on the material and complete the course if they pass.
In place of classrooms, Each subject at Kerr has its own dedicated learning center in which classes are held. For example, geometry, calculus, and statistics courses are all held in the Math center. Kerr has centers for eight core subjects: English, Math, Art, Science, Journalism, Business, Foreign Languages, and Social Studies.
Students typically score very high on standardized tests, including the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). From 2010 to 2013, nearly 100 percent of Grade 11 students attending Kerr scored Proficient or better in English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The school also offers rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses and gifted programs to challenge students and prepare them for college.
What Parents Are Saying
"Virtually every graduate goes to college, most with some type of scholarship, and the alumni come back to visit and talk to the kids about their colleges."
"The curriculum is challenging and the teachers are highly experienced and talented. I consider this school to be an excellent educational institution."
"Kerr is an outstanding college prep school with a unique approach to teaching that truly gets a student ready to succeed in college."
"I see my daughters studying actually working on their studies, without my prodding, making them responsible."
"I have never seen a more dedicated group of teachers to all strive for the success of a student."
