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Klein High School
Klein High School
from Wikipedia

Klein High School is a public high school located in Klein, Texas, United States, located approximately 20 miles (32 km) from Downtown Houston. It serves grades 912 in the Klein Independent School District. The current principal of Klein High School is Shannon Strole.[4]

Key Information

History

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In July 1928, five common school districts in the area were consolidated into Rural High School District Number One.[5] The new high school was formed from French School, Hildebrandt School, Oak Grove School, and Willow Creek School.[6] Kohrville School, a school for black children, also consolidated into the district.[7]

The new district's high school building was located at what is now 7200 Spring-Cypress Road, between Kuykendahl Road and Stuebner Airline Road. This building is now behind the district's central office building. In 1938, Rural High School District Number One became Klein Independent School District, and its high school became Klein High School. [5] The high school moved to its current location in 1963.

The old main building of Klein High School was demolished in 2010 to make way for construction of a completely new facility that has now replaced all existing buildings. All construction was completed by December 2014. Plans for the new campus are online (see reference).[8]

In 2017, areas of the Klein Collins High School zone west of Kuykendahl Road were rezoned to Klein High, and areas of the Klein Forest High School zone between Cypress Creek and Farm to Market Road 1960 were rezoned to Klein High.[9]

Profile

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Klein was the first high school established in the Klein Independent School District. It is accredited by the Texas Education Agency[10] and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[citation needed] 93% of the 2006 graduating class planned on attending college, receiving over $7 million in college scholarships.[11]

In the 2020-21 school year, there were 3,190 students. 17.6% were African American, 11.1% were Asian, 31.3% were Hispanic, 0.4% were American Indian, 0.1% were Pacific Islander, 34.7% were White, and 4.8% were two or more races. 40.1% of students were Economically Disadvantaged, 6.7% were English Language Learners, and 8.9% received Special Education services.[12]

Academics

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For the 2021-22 school year, the school received a B grade from the Texas Education Agency, with an overall score of 89 out of 100. The school received a B grade in two domains, School Progress (score of 85) and Closing the Gaps (score of 88), and an A grade in Student Achievement (score of 90). The school received four of the seven possible distinction designations: Academic Achievement in Mathematics, Academic Achievement in Science, Top 25% Comparative Academic Growth, and Top 25% Comparative Closing the Gaps.[12]

Sports and other activities

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Klein High School competes in UIL Region II District 15 along with Klein Oak, Klein Collins, Klein Forest, and Klein Cain.

State championships

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Cheerleading

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The Klein High School cheerleaders Nationals Team earned a national championship at the 2006 NCA Senior and Junior High School National Championships in the Medium Varsity division,[19] and also won a specialty award for Best Use of Jumps in the routine.[20] The 2007 NCA National Championship was preceded by a regional title at the Texas Lone Star Classic and a state championship at the Texas State Championships for Division 5A schools.[21] The cheerleading team has earned six national titles at the NCA competition in the last 19 years[19] including Grand Champions in 2000.[20]

Music

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The Klein High School full orchestra was named the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) honor orchestra for 2007–08, the fourth time that the full orchestra was honored.[22] It won similar honors in 1998, 2001, and 2003.[23] In 2016–17, the school was chosen as the string honor orchestra.[22][24]

The Wind Symphony was one of five National Wind Band winner in 2008 in Class AAAAA.[25]

Debate

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In 2010, a Klein junior varsity team finished first at the Harvard National Debate Tournament.[26]

Notable alumni

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Name Class Year Notability Reference
Kevin Adams 1980 Theatre designer, 4-time Tony Award winner [27]
Josh Barfield 2001 Baseball player for San Diego Padres (2006) and Cleveland Indians (2007–2009) [28]
Joey Banes 1985 Football player for Indianapolis Colts [29]
Matthew Bomer 1996 Actor, White Collar [30]
Randy Bullock 2008 Football player for Texas A&M Aggies, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cincinnati Bengals [31]
Lynn Collins 1994 Actress, theatre and movies [32][unreliable source]
Chris George 1998 Gold medalist with 2000 USA Olympic Baseball Team in Sydney, Australia [28][33]
Mike Green 1996 Football player for Tennessee Titans [34]
Kovid Gupta 2006 Screenwriter and author, Kingdom of The Soap Queen: The Story of Balaji Telefilms [35]
Lyle Lovett 1975 Musician, 4-time Grammy Award winner [36]
Farrah Moan 2011 Drag queen, contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race [37]
David Murphy 2000 Major League Baseball player for Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers [28]
Lee Pace 1997 Actor, Pushing Daisies, The Hobbit, Halt and Catch Fire, Guardians of the Galaxy [38]
Matt Purke 2009 Baseball player for Chicago White Sox (2016) [28]
Ben Rappaport 2004 Actor, Outsourced [39]
Allen Rice Football player for Minnesota Vikings
Devin Richardson 2018 Football player for Seattle Seahawks, BC Lions [40]
Eric Rowe 2011 Football player for New England Patriots [41]
Kendra Scott 1992 Jewelry designer [42]
Sherry Stringfield 1985 Actress, ER [43][unreliable source?]
Sloan Thomas 2000 Football player, Texas Longhorns, Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks [44]
Sylvester Turner 1973 Member of Texas House of Representatives, Mayor of Houston, Member of the United States House of Representatives [45]
Derek Webb 1992 Musician in Caedmon's Call (and solo artist) [46]
Laura Wilkinson 1996 Diver, 2004 World Cup and 2000 Olympic platform gold medalist [47]
Ashton Youboty 2003 Football player, 3rd round draft pick by NFL's Buffalo Bills [48]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Klein High School is a public high school in , serving grades 9–12 and enrolling approximately 3,400 students as part of the (KISD). Located at 16715 Stuebner Airline Road, it operates within a district established in 1938 that spans 88 square miles in northern Harris County and serves approximately 53,000 students across 52 schools (as of 2024–2025). As one of five comprehensive high schools in KISD, Klein High emphasizes a rigorous academic environment, including (AP), dual credit, and gifted/talented programs, alongside extracurricular opportunities in arts, leadership, and athletics under the mascot, the Bearkats. The school is accredited by the Texas Education Agency and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with students achieving an average SAT score of 997 and ACT score of 23.9 (class of 2023). Klein High's AP program is particularly robust, with 549 participants taking 974 exams in 2023–2024 and 73% earning scores of 3 or higher, resulting in 78 AP Scholars recognized annually. It ranks 345th among Texas high schools, offering specialized pathways like the Medical Sciences Academy that integrate advanced coursework, hands-on labs, and clinical experiences. The student body reflects the area's diversity, with approximately 35% Hispanic, 29% White, 20% Black/African American, and 11% Asian enrollment (2023–2024). Beyond academics, Klein High fosters holistic student development, earning national recognition as a School of Character in 2019 for its emphasis on and community values. Graduates frequently pursue higher education, with 53% attending four-year universities and 23% enrolling in two-year colleges from the class of 2023, supported by 28 finalists in 2023–2024. Under Principal Shannon Strole, the school maintains a commitment to excellence in and fine arts, contributing to KISD's long-standing tradition of state-level competition across more than 40 years.

History and Development

Founding and Early Years

Klein High School traces its origins to the formation of Rural High School District Number One in July 1928, when five districts in the Klein area—serving a predominantly rural community of farmers, ranchers, and dairy farmers—were consolidated to create the first high school serving the region. This consolidation addressed the need for centralized in an area spanning 88 square miles in northern , where early schools were typically one-room structures with a single teacher handling all grades. In 1938, the district was officially renamed the (KISD) in honor of early settler Adam Klein, and the high school adopted its current name, establishing it as the inaugural high school within the newly formalized independent district. High school classes began in the late following the district's formation. The school's initial role was pivotal in providing to local youth in a sparsely populated, agrarian setting, where growth remained slow for decades due to the rural economy and limited infrastructure. The were characterized by resource constraints typical of rural districts, including basic facilities and reliance on community efforts for operational support amid modest enrollment and funding from local taxes. By the , Klein High School had become fully integrated into the expanding KISD framework, laying the groundwork for future district development while maintaining its position as the community's primary secondary institution.

Relocation and Expansion

Due to rapid population growth in the suburbs during the early 1960s, Klein High School relocated from its original site on Spring-Cypress Road to its current address at 16715 Stuebner Airline Road in 1963, where a new building was constructed to accommodate the expanding student body. This move reflected the broader suburban development in northwest Harris County, driven by post-World War II migration and economic expansion in the region. In response to ongoing enrollment pressures, the initiated a major overhaul of the Klein High School campus in 2010, beginning with the demolition of the original main building and several older structures to clear space for modern replacements. The project, costing over $123 million, resulted in a completely rebuilt facility completed in December 2014, featuring a four-story academic wing and contemporary design elements capable of serving more than 3,000 students. To address imbalances in high school capacities following the opening of Klein Cain High School, the district implemented rezoning adjustments in 2017 that redistributed attendance boundaries among , , and other campuses, aiming to evenly distribute enrollment across the Klein ISD high schools. As part of district-wide infrastructure improvements funded by the 2022 bond, synthetic turf fields for baseball and softball were installed at all five Klein ISD high schools, including Klein High School, with completion in March 2024 to enhance athletic facilities and support growing extracurricular programs.

School Profile

Administration and Enrollment

Klein High School is led by Principal Shannon Strole, who has overseen operations as of 2025. The school operates within the Klein Independent School District (KISD) and competes in the University Interscholastic League (UIL) as a Class 6A institution, based on its enrollment figures aligning with the 3,400-student threshold for that classification during the 2024-2026 realignment cycle. For the 2024-2025 school year, Klein High School enrolled approximately 3,500 students in grades 9 through 12. The school employs 218.52 teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 15.54:1. Enrollment has shown steady growth in line with district trends, with KISD reporting over 1,500 additional students district-wide ahead of the 2025-2026 school year, suggesting continued increases at the high school level. The school's colors are blue and gold, and its mascot is the . Klein High School holds accreditation from the , which oversees all public schools in the state, as well as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Demographics and Facilities

Klein High School's student body reflects the diverse suburban population of northwest . According to 2024-2025 data from the school's profile, the racial and ethnic composition includes approximately 36% Hispanic or Latino, 28% , 19% Black or African American, 11% Asian, less than 1% American Indian or Alaska Native, less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 5% two or more races. Additionally, about 47% of students are economically disadvantaged as of 2023-2024, highlighting the school's role in supporting a broad socioeconomic spectrum within the . The campus spans 108 acres and features a modern facility constructed through a comprehensive reconstruction completed in 2014, encompassing roughly 687,000 square feet across multiple stories. Key infrastructure includes 23 dedicated science labs, a four-story and media center, career and technical education classrooms with adjacent shops, a for hands-on learning, and a technology center integrated with academic spaces. Athletic facilities comprise fields for various sports, with and fields upgraded to synthetic turf in December 2023 as part of a district-wide bond initiative to enhance safety and durability. The school complies with the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), ensuring ADA-compliant features such as accessible routes, restrooms, and entrances throughout the campus to accommodate students with disabilities. Safety measures include a district-adopted comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan, with enhancements implemented post-2020 to bolster security protocols like visitor screening and emergency response training across Klein ISD campuses. Located at 16715 Stuebner Airline Road in , approximately 20 miles northwest of , the school serves growing suburban communities and integrates with local development by providing educational resources to over 3,500 enrolled students in grades 9-12.

Academics

Curriculum and Programs

Klein High School's curriculum aligns with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards set by the , requiring students to complete courses in core areas including English language arts, , , , languages other than English, , fine arts, and health. Electives allow students to explore interests in , , additional languages such as Spanish and French, and options beyond general requirements. The school offers advanced academic tracks to prepare students for postsecondary education, including over 20 (AP) courses such as , , , and , which are open-enrollment and aligned with college-level standards. Dual-credit partnerships with local colleges like Lone Star College enable students to earn transferable credits through courses in subjects like , business law, and . While the Diploma Programme is not available at Klein High School, students may access Klein Prep honors courses that provide rigorous preparation equivalent to advanced tracks. Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways at Klein High School focus on practical skills for future careers, with programs in health science offering hands-on clinical experiences, business management including and , engineering and , and through Future Farmers of America (FFA) activities such as and animal science. Vocational training in incorporates a district-supported for plant production and management, allowing students to engage in real-world applications like cultivating crops and . Support services ensure accessibility for diverse learners, including special education programs with individualized education plans and in core subjects for students with disabilities. (ESL) services, including for emergent bilingual students, support approximately 12% of the student body identified as . College readiness counseling is provided through dedicated advisors who assist with course selection, postsecondary planning, and applications to higher education institutions.

Achievements and Rankings

Klein High School has demonstrated strong academic performance in recent evaluations. In the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) 2024-25 accountability system, the school earned an overall A rating, reflecting progress in student achievement and growth. It received an A rating in the , and Military Readiness (CCMR) domain and distinctions in postsecondary readiness, including high performance in preparing students for college-level coursework. Nationally, Klein High School ranks #3,757 in the U.S. News & World Report's 2025-26 Best High Schools list, placing it #345 among high schools. This ranking is driven by key metrics such as a 96% four-year rate and AP participation exceeding 36% among students, underscoring the school's emphasis on college preparation. These successes align with broader district trends, where (KISD) maintained an A-rated CCMR and saw double-digit gains in overall scores, rising from 80 in 2023 to 86 in 2025, alongside increased A and B ratings across campuses.

Extracurricular Activities

Athletics

Klein High School competes in the (UIL) as a Class 6A school in Region IV, District 15, which includes matchups against other large Houston-area schools such as Klein Cain, Klein Collins, Klein Forest, Klein Oak, Tomball, Magnolia West, and Tomball Memorial. The school's athletic programs encompass a wide range of UIL-sanctioned sports, including football (known as the Bearkats), boys' and girls' , soccer, , , and diving, , , , , cross country, and wrestling, fostering broad student involvement in competitive interscholastic activities. The athletics department maintains on-campus facilities to support training and competitions, including Klein Memorial Stadium, which seats approximately 8,500 and features a synthetic turf field installed in 2004, along with a competition gym and practice fields for various sports. Additional resources, such as the district-wide Klein ISD Natatorium for swimming and diving events, and shared baseball and softball fields across the district, enhance program capabilities. In football, the Bearkats have shown consistent postseason potential, qualifying for the UIL playoffs via a tiebreaker after finishing 6-4 overall and 4-4 in play, though they did not advance beyond the bi-district round; the 2023 season ended with a 2-8 record and no playoff berth. programs achieved regional success in , with standout performances like Xavier Westmoreland's second-place finish in the discus at the UIL state championships, highlighting individual and team qualifications from regional meets. While the school has not secured UIL state championships in major team sports since the early , programs emphasize sustained regional competitiveness across multiple disciplines. Coaching staff at Klein High School prioritize the academic success of student-athletes in line with UIL eligibility rules, which require passing grades in core subjects and full-time enrollment to participate, ensuring high compliance rates and integration of scholastic performance with athletic development. This approach supports over two decades of playoff appearances in football and ongoing qualifications in track, , and other sports.

Fine Arts and Clubs

Klein High School's fine arts programs emphasize musical and excellence, fostering and among students. The school's band program, particularly the Wind Symphony, achieved national recognition as a winner in the 2008 National Wind Band Honors Project, directed by Scott Deppe. The orchestra program has consistently ranked as a finalist in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Honor Orchestra Competition, with the Chamber and ensembles demonstrating high standards in performance. Choir ensembles, including the Men's Choir and mixed groups like Chorale and Varsity Mixed, perform regularly in concerts and competitions, showcasing a range of vocal styles from chamber pieces to large ensemble works. The theater department produces annual fall and spring shows, engaging students in , technical production, and musical theater, with recent honors including an "Outstanding " award for a 2025 production. Cheerleading and squads at Klein High School provide competitive performance opportunities, blending spirit-building with artistic expression. The team secured a at the 2006 National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) High School Nationals in the large division. Additional national successes include a 2011 championship, contributing to the program's legacy of six NCA titles overall. These squads maintain ongoing competitive participation and support school events, including athletic games. teams complement this by focusing on routines that highlight precision and teamwork in performances. Debate and academic clubs promote and skills through competitive forensics. The debate team qualified for the (UIL) state level in recent seasons. In 2010, participants advanced in the Harvard National Forensic League tournament, earning recognition in national speech and debate events. These clubs emphasize preparation for collegiate and professional discourse. A variety of other clubs support leadership and specialized interests, including the robotics team VorTX 3735, which competes in the and focuses on engineering innovation since its founding in 2011. The chapter recognizes students for scholarship, service, leadership, and character, organizing initiatives annually. The coordinates school-wide events, promotes spirit through activities like , and represents student voices in administrative decisions. , encompassing Klein High School, received the 2025 NAMM Foundation Best Community for Music Education designation for the 14th consecutive year, underscoring the robust support for arts programs. In 2025, Klein ISD initiated the Purpose in Action: Alumni Stories campaign, featuring graduates' experiences to inspire current students, including those involved in fine arts and clubs, by highlighting how extracurricular participation shaped their paths.

Notable Alumni

Entertainment and Arts

Klein High School has produced a number of distinguished who have made significant contributions to , , modeling, and design. These individuals, emerging from the school's strong emphasis on creative expression, have achieved international recognition in their respective fields. Matthew Bomer, a member of the class of 1996, rose to prominence as an actor through his lead role as Neal Caffrey in the USA Network series White Collar (2009–2014), which showcased his charismatic portrayal of a suave art thief and FBI consultant. He further gained acclaim for his supporting role in the film Magic Mike (2012), directed by Steven Soderbergh, where he played a fellow male stripper alongside Channing Tatum. Bomer received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his performance as Felix Turner in the HBO film The Normal Heart (2014), highlighting his ability to convey emotional depth in LGBTQ+ narratives. In 2024, he earned another Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for portraying Hawkins "Hawk" Fuller in the Showtime miniseries Fellow Travelers, a role that spanned decades of political and personal turmoil during the McCarthy era. Lyle Lovett, who graduated in 1975, is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and occasional actor known for blending country, folk, and jazz in his eclectic discography. His breakthrough album, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band (1989), earned him the Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, and the album itself won Best Country Album, establishing him as a innovative force in Americana music. Lovett has secured three additional Grammy Awards, including Best Country Album for The Road to Ensenada (1996), and has released over a dozen studio albums, with his most recent being 12th of June (2022), which reflects his signature witty lyricism and orchestral arrangements. In film, he has appeared in Robert Altman's Short Cuts (1993) and The Player (1992), contributing memorable musical and acting roles that underscore his multifaceted artistry. Lee Pace, from the class of 1997, has built a versatile career in film and television, particularly in fantasy and superhero genres. He portrayed the regal Elvenking Thranduil across Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014), delivering a commanding performance as the aloof leader of the Woodland Realm amid epic battles and political intrigue. Pace also starred as the villainous Ronan the Accuser in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), bringing intensity to the role of a zealous Kree warrior threatening the universe. His work extends to acclaimed series like Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017), where he played the visionary computer pioneer Joe MacMillan, earning praise for capturing the complexities of technological ambition. Kendra Scott, a 1992 graduate, founded the jewelry company LLC in 2002 with an initial investment of $500, transforming it into a billion-dollar enterprise renowned for colorful, customizable pieces using semi-precious stones. Starting from her home in , she handcrafted her first collection while raising her newborn son, emphasizing innovative designs like the signature "Elisa" necklace that propelled early sales through local boutiques. By 2023, the brand operated over 150 stores nationwide and had donated more than $50 million to nonprofits via its Color Bar customization events, blending commercial success with focused on and . Scott was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018, recognizing her leadership in scaling a female-founded in the fashion industry. Sherry Stringfield, class of 1985, is best recognized for her role as Dr. Susan Lewis on the long-running medical drama ER (1994–2005), where she appeared in Seasons 1–3 and returned for Seasons 8–11, portraying a resilient emergency physician navigating personal and professional challenges. Her performance earned her four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series between 1995 and 1996, as well as a Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Series in 1996 shared with her castmates. Stringfield's early interest in acting was nurtured at Klein High School, where she participated in theater productions, leading to her training at the at Purchase before breaking into television with roles on and . Derek Webb, a 1992 alumnus, is a who first rose to prominence as a founding member and lead vocalist of the Christian band , contributing to albums like 40 Acres (1999), which peaked at No. 9 on the Christian Albums chart and featured his introspective songwriting on faith and relationships. After leaving the band in 2003 to pursue solo work, he released critically acclaimed albums such as She Must and Shall Go Free (2003), exploring themes of grace and through folk-rock arrangements, and has since produced over a dozen projects, including the experimental Ctrl (2014). Webb's music has been praised for its bold lyrical challenges to evangelical norms, earning him a dedicated following in the indie Christian genre.

Politics, Business, and Sports

, a member of 's class of 1973, graduated as and later became a prominent figure in American politics. He served as the mayor of from 2016 to 2024, focusing on economic development, infrastructure improvements, and disaster recovery efforts following events like . Turner also represented in the , beginning his term in early 2025 before his death on March 5, 2025, at age 70 due to health complications. In professional sports, several Klein High School alumni have achieved success in the National Football League (NFL). Eric Rowe, from the class of 2011, played as a , starting his career after being drafted by the in 2015 and later contributing to the ' victory in 2017. He spent three seasons with the Patriots before signing with the in 2019, where he recorded multiple interceptions, including two in a single game against the in 2020, and continued playing for teams like the . Randy Bullock, class of 2008, established himself as a reliable , drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of 2012 after a standout college career at Texas A&M. Over his NFL tenure, Bullock played for the Texans, , , , , and , amassing over 1,000 career points through field goals and extra points, with notable accuracy including a 29-of-33 performance in his rookie season. Matt Purke, from the class of 2009, pursued a career as a left-handed after being selected 14th overall by the Texas Rangers in the 2009 MLB Draft straight out of high school. He opted for college at TCU instead, where he set school records for single-season wins, before being drafted again by the in 2011; Purke made his MLB debut with the in 2016, appearing in six games with a 0-1 record and 5.40 ERA. Weston Sprott, class of 2000, has built a distinguished career in performance and education, serving as a trombonist with the Orchestra since 2005 and as Dean and Director of the Preparatory Division at The since 2019. His work extends to leadership roles in orchestral training programs, emphasizing diversity and for young musicians.

References

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