Warm, friendly, busy, student-centered – these are the words that describe the atmosphere at Highlands Elementary School.  From the moment you approach our building, you get a sense that special things happen here.  Visitors are often greeted by students who cordially hold the door open for them, and the folks in the office are always ready to make your visit a pleasant one.  And though we know that first impressions are important, we are most proud of what happens in our classrooms throughout the day.  No matter where you go in our building, you will find a strong academic focus and staff members who make sure that all children feel confident, productive, and smart!  We would love to have you stop by and see for yourself that we have the finest elementary school in Goose Creek!

Judy Duncan, Principal
Principal, Highlands Elementary
jmduncan@gccisd.net

Facts About Our School

• Texas Recognized Campus
• Enrollment—658 students as of Oct. 5, 2007, membership report; 52% White, 42% Hispanic, 5% African American, and 1% Other
• Title I Campus since 2000
• University of Houston Student Intern site
• Paired campus with Hopper Primary, which serves grades prekindergarten through first
• Originally opened in 1926 as part of Crosby ISD; in 1928, joined GCCISD
• Rebuilt in 1992
• Former U.S. Department of Education training site, "Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers with Technology"
• Former Texas Successful Schools Award System Honoree

Our Programs, Services, and Activities

• Grades two through five
• Academic teams providing quality instruction in reading, math,
  science, social studies
• Specialists providing programs in physical education, art, music and computer skills
• Dyslexia Program
• Special Education
• Bilingual Education
• Gifted and Talented (GATE) Program
• Ventures Accelerated Program
• PASS Program
• Master teaching combined with highly integrated technology emphasis
• All classrooms networked with computers and labs
• Volunteer Parent Program
• Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE)
• Student Recognition Programs
• American Heart Association’s “Jump Rope for Heart”-- 23 years;
  #1 School in Southeast Texas

Our Mission and Goals

Highlands Elementary is committed to providing a comprehensive quality education to all students through social, physical, mental, and civic opportunities in order to empower students to become productive citizens of the 21st century.  The Highlands Elementary School Instructional Leadership Team and staff have established several long-range goals.

GOALS

• Increase the number of students who achieve commended performance.
• Reach/maintain state standard of 90% passing all appropriated tests for all populations.
• Continue to address the needs of all students in the least restricted environment.
• Continue vertical alignment of instructional program between B. P. Hopper and Highlands Junior.

STRATEGIES

The strategies used to accomplish these goals include:

• Increase content knowledge base and improve base and improve teaching competencies related to TEKS/TAKS connection.
• Focus on differentiated instruction.
• Attract and maintain highly qualified teachers.
• Utilize parent outreach programs as a basis for collaboration and building positive relationships between home and school.