The University of Houston Preparatory Academy celebrated completing two years within the Midland ISD with a 36-point academic improvement and one point away from an ‘A’.
Considering the campus scored 53 in 2019, we had a lot to celebrate.
Houston college prep officials believe a cultural shift is underpinning the rapid upturn and optimism heading into the third year. Houston College Eight Prep is his one of three Midland ISD schools that have been handed over to out-of-district operators. In that case, the operator is the Colorado-based Third He Future Schools, while in Texas he has three schools (Midland, Odessa, and Austin).
In 2020, Midland ISD announced an intra-district partnership with Third Future. Because the school had failed his fourth straight term (2016 to his 19th) and was facing a possible takeover by the state.
However, the Third Future came along and trained staff on “turnaround campus” procedures. This meant new hiring protocols.
“Before[teachers]can stand in front of the kids, you have to actually perform in front of the administration so that you are educationally sound and know what you are talking about. “I can confirm that you understand,” said Principal Shameka.Mr. Johnson is in his sixth year at Houston. “The biggest tipping point is getting the right people with the right knowledge in the right place, building a leadership team, everyone speaking the same language and moving in the right direction.”
Officials at the University of Houston Preparatory School say the result has been an improvement in Texas Education Agency scores, an average student growth rate of 1.6 years, and a 12-point growth rate in the NWEA assessment.
Zach Craddock, School Director, Third Future School, said:
Craddock added that Houston’s change, one point away from an “A” from a failed campus, boils down to three factors, according to the Texas Department of Education. A culture that revolves around what is best for students (not adults).
Not a typical entry-level experience
Houston College Prep is a program for approximately 465 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Adjacent to the First Baptist Church, those attending the Midlands Central Campus will benefit from an alternative educational environment as well as the rigorous academic experience required of a turnaround school.
Craddock and Johnson talked about Third Future’s “Dyad Program” for students in grades 2 and above. According to the school’s website, Dyad is based on the concept that learning begins with the acquisition of three things: knowledge, experience and perspective. To help elective classes, Third Future brings in independent contractors to teach everything from cooking, computer coding, agriculture, textiles, soccer, karate, cardio (such as spin) programs and more. .
Students can earn credits, have fun instead of physical education, and learn from chefs, teachers, or other local experts hired by the school.
This program allows older students to participate in programs with travel opportunities. In the past, Third Future Schools has sponsored trips to places like Washington and even experiences abroad like Costa Rica.
“We believe that children can learn anytime, anywhere,” says Craddock.
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