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Travis High School
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William B. Travis High School, known simply as Travis High School, is a public high school in Pecan Grove, Fort Bend County, Texas, United States. Located off Grand Parkway and in Houston's extraterritorial jurisdiction,[3] the school is Fort Bend Independent School District's (FBISD) tenth high school and the largest school by enrollment in the district. Opened in 2006, Travis holds a Richmond, Texas address although the school (nor the district) do not serve any part of the city. The school serves part of Pecan Grove, part of Aliana, and part of New Territory (in addition to the employee residences of the nearby Jester State Prison Farm units).[4] Travis is considered one of the most racially diverse public high schools in the state.[5][6]
Key Information
The school's mascot is the tiger and the school colors are scarlet, gray, and white.[7]
Travis hosts two of FBISD's high school academies: the Global Studies Academy (GSA) and the International Business and Marketing Academy (IBMA).[8]
History
[edit]Travis High School is named after Texas pioneer William B. Travis. The campus opened on August 21, 2006 and received its dedication on October 15 of the same year.[9] The opening of Travis relieved Austin High School and George Bush High School,[10] with grades 9 and 10 immediately zoned to Travis,[11] and grades 11 to 12 continuing to go to Austin with a phaseout of one grade per year.[12] It became Fort Bend ISD's tenth high school.
In January 2022, more than 200 students at the school signed a petition urging FBISD to close schools in response to rising COVID-19 cases.[13]
In the 2022-2023 school year, district administrators proposed new attendance boundaries to combat overcrowding at the school of more than 3,000 students. The plans include zoning all students from New Territory (which is currently split between Travis and Austin) to only Austin High School, and possibly transferring the two academies the school hosts to another high school in the district such as Kempner High School.[14][15] The change was approved in February 2023.[16]
The school's student council is known for bringing dogs in for stress relief prior to exam week.[17]
Campus
[edit]Travis is located on Harlem Road, off Grand Parkway/SH 99[18] and surrounded by the Harvest Green neighborhood, a master-planned community by Johnson Development.[19][20] Directly to the north across Harvest Corner Drive are a number of commercial shops, including Subway and Kung Fu Tea. Additional shops are to the east across Harlem, including an Exxon.[21][22]
The south half of the campus property contains many athletic facilities, including a turfed football field and track, a baseball field, a softball field, three practice fields, and eight tennis courts, along with a fieldhouse.
Athletics
[edit]Travis, as well as all other high schools in the district, have teams represented in every UIL sport except for wrestling. In the 2012-2013 school year, Travis was the UIL 5A basketball state champion.
The school contains a competitive Marine Corps JROTC Program, containing Armed and Unarmed Drill teams. Their honor guard has been featured in many events, like Houston Dynamo games.
Feeder patterns
[edit]The attendance boundary of the school include Pecan Grove, Aliana, New Territory, and the employee residences of some of the nearby Jester State Prison Farm units.[4]
The following elementary schools feed into Travis:
- Brazos Bend Elementary
- Neill Elementary
- Pecan Grove Elementary
- Oakland Elementary
- Patterson Elementary (partial)
- Madden Elementary (partial)
- Malala Elementary (partial)
The following middle schools[23] feed into Travis:
- Sartartia Middle School (partial)
- James Bowie Middle School
- Garcia Middle School (partial)
Under proposed changes, Brazos Bend Elementary and Sartartia Middle School would no longer feed into Travis, and some areas may attend Crockett Middle School instead of Bowie Middle School (but remain zoned to Travis.
Notable alumni
[edit]- Fuzzy Benas — gymnast, member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team
- Hakeem Butler — wide receiver for the St. Louis Battlehawks, receiver for Iowa State
- Aaron Harrison — shooting guard for the University of Kentucky, NBA player for Delaware 87ers[24]
- Andrew Harrison — point guard for the University of Kentucky, NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Justin Hill — basketball player University of Georgia
- Steven Sims Jr. — wide receiver and return specialist for the Houston Texans, receiver for the University of Kansas
- Parker Washington — wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, receiver for Penn State
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "WILLIAM B TRAVIS H S". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "William B Travis High School in Richmond, Texas - US News Best High Schools". Instagram. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "City of Houston and ETJ" (PDF). Houston. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ a b "Elementary School Zones Middle School Zones High School Zones 2020-2021" (PDF). Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ Young, Jessica Hamilton (March 28, 2016). "These are Texas' most diverse public high schools". Chron. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "2023 Most Diverse High Schools in Texas". Niche. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Fort Bend Independent School District | School Colors and Mascots" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 8, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Global Studies Academy / Academy". www.fortbendisd.com. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ Fort Bend ISD History Archived 2008-09-07 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "High School Attendance Zones Effective Fall 2006." Fort Bend Independent School District. October 29, 2005. Retrieved on September 23, 2010.
- ^ "High School Attendance Zones Effective Fall 2006 9th and 10th Grades." Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved on September 23, 2010.
- ^ "High School Zone Effective Fall 2006 11th and 12th Grades." Fort Bend Independent School District. Retrieved on September 23, 2010.
- ^ Park, Brooke (January 31, 2022). "Texas students, frustrated by limited COVID-19 protocols, turn to petition drives and walkouts". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Boundary Planning and Enrollment Management / Northwest Area Boundary Planning Public Hearing". www.fortbendisd.com. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
- ^ "Jan 09, 2023 Board Meeting - Fort Bend County ISD, TX". fortbendisd.new.swagit.com. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ "Boundary Planning and Enrollment Management / Department Home". www.fortbendisd.com. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
- ^ Spurs, Terrian (December 2, 2022). "Travis High School in Fort Bend ISD provides students pet therapy ahead of exams". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ "William B. Travis High School · 11111 Harlem Rd, Richmond, TX 77406, United States". William B. Travis High School · 11111 Harlem Rd, Richmond, TX 77406, United States. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "Harvest Green in Richmond, TX | Johnson Development". www.johnsondevelopment.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "2659-10900_Harvest Green_Land Plan Exhibit_1-31-2020" (PDF).
- ^ "Station detail". www.exxon.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "Richmond". Summer Moon Coffee. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 30, 2011. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Release: Sevens Acquire Aaron Harrison - Delaware 87ers". Delaware.dleague.nba.com. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2017.
External links
[edit]Travis High School
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Years
William B. Travis High School was established by the Fort Bend Independent School District amid rapid population growth in Fort Bend County, Texas, particularly in the Pecan Grove area, necessitating additional secondary education capacity. Named for William Barret Travis, the Alamo defender who penned the "Victory or Death" letter in 1836, the school opened under founding principal J.J. Kyle, who led its initial operations.[11] The campus began instruction in August 2006, drawing students from overcrowded nearby schools including Stephen F. Austin High School and George H.W. Bush High School.[2] A dedication ceremony occurred on October 15, 2006, marking the formal opening of the facility designed to serve the expanding suburban community. In its early years, Travis High School focused on building foundational programs, with initial enrollment supporting grades 9 through 12 as the district integrated it into the broader high school network. The school's establishment reflected Fort Bend ISD's ongoing expansion, which saw multiple new campuses open around the same period to accommodate surging student numbers driven by regional development.[2]Expansion and Growth
William B. Travis High School opened on August 21, 2006, initially serving students from the rapidly developing Pecan Grove area and surrounding communities in Fort Bend County, which experienced substantial residential growth in the early 2000s.[12] Reflecting this demographic surge, the school's enrollment expanded steadily in its early years, building from a freshman-focused cohort to a full four-grade high school by incorporating subsequent classes. By the 2023-2024 school year, enrollment had grown to 3,135 students, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 19:1.[3] This increase strained the campus's permanent capacity of 2,842 seats, leading to utilization rates over 110% and reliance on up to 650 portable classrooms to house excess students.[13] Fort Bend Independent School District's broader expansion, from fewer than 40 campuses in 2006 to 83 by 2025, mirrored countywide population pressures, with Travis identified as one of the district's most overcrowded high schools.[2][14] To address imbalances, the district approved attendance boundary adjustments for Travis, Austin, and Kempner high schools on February 13, 2023, redistributing students to optimize capacity across feeder patterns.[15] Concurrently, Travis phased out specialized programs like the Global Studies Academy and International Business Academy, transferring them to Kempner High School to streamline operations amid sustained growth projections.[16] These measures, rather than new construction at Travis, prioritized resource reallocation within the existing infrastructure.Campus and Facilities
Location and Physical Layout
William B. Travis High School is situated at 11111 Harlem Road, Richmond, Texas 77406, in Fort Bend County.[4] The campus lies within the suburban Pecan Grove area, serving a rapidly growing residential community as part of the Fort Bend Independent School District.[17] The physical layout encompasses a main academic structure housing classrooms, administrative offices, and specialized instructional spaces, designed to accommodate approximately 3,135 students.[3] Supporting facilities include athletic fields such as soccer and practice areas, along with designated parking lots for staff, students, and visitors.[18] The school's design reflects standard modern high school architecture in suburban Texas, with open green spaces maintained by district grounds services contributing to the 785 total campus lawn acres across Fort Bend ISD.[19]Infrastructure and Recent Upgrades
William B. Travis High School opened in August 2006 as part of the Fort Bend Independent School District, featuring a campus designed for secondary education with approximately 1,700 gross acres district-wide, though specific acreage for Travis is not detailed in district records.[2] [19] The facilities include a main gymnasium equipped for basketball and volleyball with six hoops, locker rooms, home and away bleachers, athletic fields available for community rental, and standard classrooms, science labs, and performance spaces such as theaters.[20] [21] As part of Fort Bend ISD's 2023 $1.26 billion bond program, approved by voters in May 2023, Travis High School is slated for renovations under Proposition A, which allocates funds for repairs to outdated systems, structural upgrades for energy efficiency, and enhancements to support 21st-century learning environments across existing campuses.[22] [23] District records confirm a specific renovation project for the school involving public funds, though detailed scope such as square footage or timelines beyond planning phases are not publicly specified in available state filings.[24] These efforts address life-cycle deficiencies common to campuses built in the mid-2000s, including potential updates to HVAC, roofing, and electrical systems district-wide.[25] Summer 2025 renovations under the bond program included district-wide improvements like classroom cooling systems and flooring replacements at select sites, contributing to ongoing maintenance at high schools like Travis.[26]
Academics
Curriculum and Programs
Travis High School delivers a core curriculum aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards, encompassing English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and physical education for grades 9 through 12.[27] Students engage in foundational courses with options for enrichment, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes across multiple disciplines, enabling participation in AP exams for potential college credit.[28] The school also supports a Gifted & Talented program to challenge high-achieving students through differentiated instruction and advanced opportunities.[29] As a magnet institution within Fort Bend Independent School District, Travis hosts two high school academies tailored to specific career and academic interests. The Global Studies Academy (GSA), established in 2008, promotes global citizenship by integrating language studies—such as Spanish, French, and Mandarin—cultural analysis, current events, and Model United Nations simulations, culminating in capstone projects for participants.[30] [31] The International Business and Marketing Academy (IBMA) offers dual pathways in business management or marketing, equipping students with practical skills through coursework in entrepreneurship, finance, digital marketing, and professional certifications like DECA competitions.[32] Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Travis emphasize hands-on vocational training, including agriculture (e.g., animal science and horticulture), engineering (e.g., robotics and principles of engineering), human services (e.g., child development), and media-related electives such as photojournalism and yearbook production.[33] The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program further aids college readiness by fostering study skills, organization, and higher education awareness among underserved students.[33] These offerings are detailed in the district's annual course selection guide, which guides personalized four-year plans based on student aspirations.Performance Metrics and Rankings
William B. Travis High School received a B accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the 2024-2025 school year, reflecting performance across domains including student achievement, school progress, and closing performance gaps.[3] On state assessments, 48% of students performed at or above proficient levels in mathematics, while 68% did so in reading/language arts during the most recent evaluated period.[34] The school's four-year graduation rate stood at 96% for the class of 2023, with 96.9% of students graduating on time or earlier and a dropout rate of 0.6% for grades 9-12.[3][28] In college readiness metrics, 65% of students passed at least one AP or IB exam, with an average SAT score of 1190 reported among test-takers.[28][35] Nationally, U.S. News & World Report ranked the school 2,459th overall and 247th in Texas for 2024, placing it second among Fort Bend ISD high schools based on state test performance, graduation rates, and college preparation indicators.[28] Niche rankings highlighted its diversity, placing it 9th among Texas public high schools and 20th for magnet programs, though these incorporate subjective user reviews alongside data.[35]Student Body
Demographics and Diversity
William B. Travis High School enrolls approximately 3,135 students in grades 9 through 12, reflecting a diverse student body characteristic of Fort Bend Independent School District.[3] The school's racial and ethnic composition includes 28.7% African American, 27.8% Asian, 20.1% White, 19.4% Hispanic, 3.5% two or more races, 0.4% American Indian, and 0.2% Pacific Islander students.[3] This distribution results in a total minority enrollment of 80%, exceeding the statewide average for Texas public high schools.[28]| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| African American | 28.7% | 901 |
| Asian | 27.8% | 872 |
| White | 20.1% | 630 |
| Hispanic | 19.4% | 607 |
| Two or More Races | 3.5% | 109 |
| American Indian | 0.4% | 11 |
| Pacific Islander | 0.2% | 5 |
