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November 2007 -- Staff and students from Sharpstown International High School in Houston ISD invited community members to help formally dedicate the new campus, which opened in August with its first 100 ninth graders.
As one of the nation's hubs of international business and migration, Houston is well-positioned to thrive in the global economy of today and tomorrow. Helping our young people succeed in this enviroment is critical not only for their personal success, but for our future success as a region.
Sharpstown International High School is the second small, globally focused school to open its doors through a partnership between Houston ISD, Houston A+ Challenge and the Asia Society.
Just like the Houston Academy for International Studies, which opened in August 2006, the new school at Sharpstown opened with a class of all ninth graders, adding a new group of ninth graders each subsequent year. The school will reach full capacity with a maximum of 500 ninth through 12th grade students in 2010.
Yu said the school will allow teachers to give students more personalized attention, which will encourage more rigorous and relevant classroom experiences. All of the school’s courses are pre-Advanced Placement, and students are expected to take dual credit courses through Houston Community College.
“This is a school for kids who want a challenge and are seeking high expectations, but we also want kids who are mediocre and who want a second chance,” said Principal Chang Yu, a former assistant principal at Houston ISD’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. “All of our students, including our special education population, know that because of the size of our classes and the support we give, we will have time to render the resources and aid to kids who need the extra push.”
Houston A+ Challenge is supporting the school through leadership coaching for Yu and professional development for five full-time teachers – who offer courses in math, literacy, science, social studies and Spanish – and one part-time Chinese teacher.
“By investing in Sharpstown International High School, Houston A+ Challenge hopes to model how effectively schools can both prepare students for college and develop their international knowledge and understanding of world cultures,” said Interim Executive Director Suzanne Sutherland. “Given today’s global society, these students will graduate with extremely marketable skills, both for post-secondary education and for their future careers.”
Sharpstown International High School is part of a nationwide network of urban secondary schools supported by the Asia Society, which contributed $68,000 to help start up the new Houston ISD school. Houston A+ Challenge will also help monitor and evaluate the use of those funds.
  
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