Willis Independent School District

Tim Harkrider

Willis Independent School District 204 West Rogers, Willis, Texas 77378 · 936-856-1200 · WWW.WILLISISD.ORG

WILLIS ISD: Getting students ready for the world!

One of the most important decisions that you can make is choosing your child’s school. The Willis Independent School District strives to provide your student with outstanding educational opportunities and prepare them for a career and for success in the real world.

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Willis Independent School District is a growing K–12 school system that values and supports each and every child, each and every day. Our district honors small-town values and traditions. We’re a community that pulls together for our kids and develops personal connections with them and their families. At the same time, we’re focused on preparing our students to live and work successfully in the global community of the 21st century.

Our team of professional educators is dedicated to developing a life-long passion for learning in all students. In our academic programs, we teach students to think, while nurturing their varied interests and skills. We provide relevant technology in the classroom today to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow. Individual talents and valuable life skills are enriched through our athletic, fine arts, and extracurricular programs.

I invite you to take a look at Willis Independent School District. Academic rigor, innovative teaching techniques, caring mentorships, teamwork, and high expectations for all students truly create an ideal educational environment.

Mission

The mission of the Willis Independent School District is to develop in each student the knowledge, skills, and behaviors essential for life-long learning and for productive, responsible citizenship.

Core Beliefs

• Every child counts; every child learns.• The education of all children is the responsibility

of the family, school district, and community. • Each employee is valuable and has a profound

impact on student learning. • Equitable allocation of resources ensures each

student will have the opportunity to become productive citizens.

• All students learn best in a safe, supportive, and secure environment. 

ACADEMIC PROGRAMSStarting with a full-day kindergarten program, Willis ISD offers a comprehensive array of high-quality academic programs. Each grade level works with students individually to maximize their academic potential and to instill a passion for learning. Our commitment to quality education also includes offering innovative specialized programs, including:

Gifted and TalentedIn Willis ISD, identified gifted-and-talented students in kindergarten through fifth grade participate in a pull-out program of differentiated, enriched instruction. Our programs take place on the students’ home campus twice each week for a total of 90 minutes and focus on advanced investigative and analytical study that includes independent and group projects. The program seeks to enhance team-building skills and address the social and emotional needs of the gifted, creative, and critical thinker.

Dual CreditThe district, in collaboration with the Lone Star College (LSC) System, brings the world of college to Willis High School (WHS) students through a dual-credit program. College-ready juniors and seniors take LSC courses in their high school classrooms and earn college-credit hours while they work toward graduation from WHS. Our district has the most comprehensive dual-credit program in Montgomery County. Students can choose from an array of courses including English, Math, Biology, History, Government, Economics and more, totaling 55 credit hours. Some have earned more than 40 college credit hours—saving both time and money in the pursuit of higher education.

Advanced PlacementStudents with college plans will find a compatible, encouraging environment at Willis High School. The school’s Advanced Placement program offers a wide variety of challenging college-level courses and exams that can lead to college credits and scholarship opportunities.

Career and Technical EducationOur Career and Technical Education programs combine rigorous academic content with training for technical skills to prepare students for current and emerging careers. We offer a diverse selection of courses from each of the 16 career clusters identified by the Texas Education Agency. Fields of study include:

• architecture and construction

• agriculture• audio/video technology• commercial photography• business management• health science

• hospitality services• information technology• law and public safety• manufacturing• marketing • STEM (Science, Technology,

Engineering and Math) courses

In addition, certifications in selected health science, agriculture science, and information technology fields are available to help students get a quick start on their careers after high school. Close collaboration with area workforce specialists result in curriculum that mirrors current and projected employment and career opportunities.

Students in our Audio/Video Production classes produce a daily news program that gives them real-world experience and keeps the student body informed on campus activities. Class activities focus on pre‐production, production, and post‐production audio and video skills.

A WORLD OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN WILLIS ISD

Our Health Science classes teach students skills in planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, as well as biotechnology research and development.

DIGITAL INTEGRATIONWillis ISD is powering up for learning and making technology a valuable tool to bring the world to the classroom. Through a combination of student-owned and district-provided digital devices, such as tablets, smart phones, and laptops, we’re ensuring that students have the relevant technology in the classroom today to prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow.The digital transformation of instructional practices has been supported by:

• Ensuring that all elementary campuses have classroom sets of digital devices.

• Providing secondary campuses with a total of 1,600 mini-laptops on classroom carts.

• Setting a goal of one digital device for every student in grades 6–12 by 2016.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTSTypically more than 80% of our students are accepted to post-secondary institutions. Our graduating classes garner millions in academic scholarships to aid their pursuit of continued education. And how well have our graduates done in college? The parents of four alumni explained, “Our kids have done well academically and were prepared for college. We have three engineers and an architect.”

THINK OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

AthleticsAthletics plays a significant role in the Willis ISD educational process. We believe it’s all about the kids. We teach them to value hard work and discipline and help them discover their true potential. Coaches are focused on the importance of teamwork, guiding students to be organized and responsible. The goal is to teach students how to win with grace and lose with dignity, not only on the playing field, but also in life.Student athletes from Willis often receive the opportunity to continue competing at the collegiate level with some receiving full athletic scholarships. Our program adheres to University Interscholastic League regulations and includes the following:

• Football• Volleyball• Soccer• Power-lifting*• Baseball*• Swimming/Diving*• Tennis

• Basketball• Track and Field• Wrestling*• Softball*• Golf• Cross-Country

* Sports offered only at the high school level

Extracurricular Programs Extracurricular activities are a great way to help students find their true potential. Willis ISD offers a wide array of programs to help develop students’ social and leadership skills as well as their artistic, musical, or intellectual talents. By participating in and contributing to extracurricular activities, students boost their self-esteem and individuality; as a result, school is a great place to be each day. There are many opportunities in Willis ISD to round out the learning experience, including:

• Band/Orchestra• Cheerleading• Choir• Dance• Drama• Foreign Language Clubs• Honors Society• Student Government•

• Student Newspaper/Yearbook

• UIL Academics• Career Clubs, such as

Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders

A WORLD OF LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN WILLIS ISD

Our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math courses foster student interest in careers in planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services. In Engineering Design, students use a variety of software applications to produce and present engineering drawings, solid model renderings, and prototypes. A new 3D printer brings student designs to life (pictured above).

CAMPUS SAFETY ABOVE ALL ELSEWe understand that parents want their children to be safe. A team of highly trained deputies from the Montgomery County Constable’s office are employed as School Resource Officers. These sworn officers proactively serve and protect all Willis ISD campuses, centers, and administrative offices. Additional deputies and a Special Response Team who are trained to handle critical incidents are also available.

To further ensure safety in Willis ISD, we have a state-of-the-art video surveillance system with iPad and iPhone monitoring capabilities. Additionally, we can inform parents of any situation requiring their immediate attention through the SchoolReach notification system, which can send voice and text messages directly to parents. An anonymous “Tip Line” is available on secondary campuses and WISD transportation to encourage reporting of situations that may be detrimental to the safety of students.We also believe that campus security includes prevention. School Resource Officers educate students and staff about safe behaviors both in and outside of school.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY• Manage a $50.6 million general-fund budget for daily

operations, including salaries, instructional resources, building maintenance, utilities, technology, and security.

• Maintained a tax rate of $1.39 or lower per $100 valuation for five consecutive years.

• Received perfect financial audit reports for more than 13 years.

• Rated Superior on the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas for the past 13 years.

• Earned the State Comptroller’s Leadership Circle award every year since the recognition began in 2009.

WE’RE ALL ABOUT EDUCATIONThe average number of years of teaching experience among Willis ISD teachers is 11.2 years; 50% of our teachers have more than 10 years of teaching experience. All Willis ISD teachers have earned the rating of “Highly Qualified” by the Texas Education Agency.Source: Public Education Management System—Texas Education Agency (TEA)

WILLIS ISD AT-A-GLANCE• Student Enrollment: 6,910• Students by Ethnicity: White–54%, Hispanic–34%,

African American–8%, Two or More–3%, Asian–1%• Five Elementary Schools• Two Middle Schools• One High School

Source: Nov. 11, 2014; Public Education Management System—TEA

The district encompasses 158 square miles shared between Montgomery and San Jacinto Counties.

When space and staffing are available, Willis ISD accepts students who live outside the district’s boundaries and meet our academic, disciplinary, and attendance criteria.

Willis ISD Board of TrusteesChristen Arnold, Board PresidentSue Ann Powell, Vice PresidentElizabeth McKenna, SecretaryRebecca Broussard, Board MemberRobin Sproba, Board MemberBeverly Vornsand, Board MemberCliff Williams, Board MemberWillis ISD does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, or gender in the educational programs and activities which it operates.

TO LEARN MORE: Willis Independent School District · 204 West Rogers, Willis, Texas 77378 · 936-856-1200 · WWW.WILLISISD.ORG

WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL, THE CHOICE IS CLEAR.

Willis ISD students receive a first-class education in the family-focused community of Willis. Innovative academic programs, an array of athletic and extracur-ricular options, and a dedicated, caring staff, create a great educational environment for every student!