By Luke Hales
A new chapter began Saturday, Oct. 22nd for Sam Houston High School, as local officials gathered for the groundbreaking of a new Math, Science and Technology Center taking place on the campus.
Construction on the facility began this month, and is expected to be completed by August of 2012. The new building will encompass approximately 30,000 square feet of the latest in educational tools, as well as eight science labs, four math labs and two classrooms.
The building is one of the latest in a series of changes to the campus [located at 9400 Irvington Street] meant to increase the quality of education at the school, as well as increase the number of students who graduate. Once referred to as a “;dropout factory”; in a Johns Hopkins University study, the school has already seen a significant jump in graduating seniors — there were 432 in 2011, up from 298 previously.
The building will also house the school’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Coprs (JROTC) classes, according to reports.
A number of local officials were on hand to commemorate the event, including HISD District One Representative Anna Eastman, state representative Armando Walle, and state senator Mario Gallegos.
“This school is near and dear to me” said state senator Mario Gallegos. “I’m really pleased that this building is going up. It has been a long time. These kids deserve these programs”
For more information on the new center, call 713-696-0200.