Not only did three of the high schools in Pasadena ISD earn recognized status, they joined some elite company from around the state.

Dobie, Pasadena and South Houston high schools received a recognized rating from the Texas Education Agency for the first time in the PISD's history, but the accomplishments did not stop there. Pasadena also was one of only six districts in the state to have three or more high schools earn recognized status. Two of the districts, Houston ISD and Northwest ISD in San Antonio, boast much larger enrollment totals than Pasadena ISD.

Pasadena ISD was only a few points shy of adding a fourth high school to the recognized list as Sam Rayburn High School missed by a narrow margin. However, Rayburn did receive district commendation honors for academic excellence.

According to state officials, for high schools to achieve recognized status is a tough task, since those campuses work with more than 2,000 students compared to 1,000 in each of the elementary or intermediate schools. Since high school enrollments are greater, the risk students dropping out also becomes higher.

"Our teachers and administrative staff on our high school campuses work diligently to provide programs that capture the students' interest and challenges them academically at the same time," Superintendent Rick Schneider said. "As a result, the level of student achievement continues to rise. That certainly is the case at each of our high schools."

Pasadena High School Principal Wayne Adams said the success on his campus stems from one philosophy - teamwork. "We have teachers that are very organized and very committed to the students' success," he said. "They will go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to make sure their students master any given task. They are not only looking out for their well-being in high school, but they are giving them the knowledge to succeed in college and the working world."

South Houston High School Patricia Simons also said the bond between teachers and students played an important role in the school's success, but she credits counselors and other school officials for encouraging students to take more challenging courses. "Our teachers and counselors do a great job of encouraging our students," she said, "They really help the students to believe in themselves. As a result, student achievement is up and we have more students taking Advanced Placement and pre-AP classes this year."

Dobie Principal Steve Jamail said the key to success is based on having confidence in his teachers. "If there is one thing that (former principal Jerry Speer) taught me, it is to have faith in your teachers," he said. "When you let them do what they do best, then great things happen in the classroom. With the staff we have here at Dobie, I believe that many great things still lie ahead."

Rayburn Principal Merlin Mohr said the Pasadena PLUS (Pathways to Learning Ultimate Success) program has played a vital role in student achievement. The Pasadena PLUS plan has been in place since 1998. It is a systematic approach to curriculum which the teachers developed themselves. The Pasadena PLUS materials include both resources and assessments feedback. The results of the assessments allow teachers to focus on specific areas that need to be strengthened.

"The Pasadena Plus program helps us analyze where kids are doing well and which areas need to be strengthened," he said. "It has been a very useful resource and the constantly rising scores are proof that the program is working."

While proud of the high schools' success, school officials the challenge to maintain their positive ratings becomes even tougher as stiffer graduation requirements will go into effect in 2002. "We should be proud of what we have accomplished so far, but it is certainly no time to rest on our laurels," Schneider said. "The bar has been raised for us once again with the new graduation requirements. We need to start preparing these students now, so that they will be ready to tackle this more rigorous course of study."

Beginning in the 2002-2003 school year, the exit-level test will be administered in the 11th grade instead of the 10th grade and will assess a broader range and depth of subjects, including social studies and science. The new graduation requirements will require students to take at least biology and integrated chemistry and physics. "The road is not going to be easy," Schneider said. "But when it has come to challenges, we have been up to the task. I know that we have the team that can help our students achieve these goals."