By: Nancy Bonds, Director of Communications Goose Creek CISD is proud to recognize the achievements of campuses across the district following the release of the 2024 2025 state accountability ratings. These celebrations highlight the incredible efforts of our teachers, staff, students, and families who continue to grow and achieve together. Among the district s strongest highlights this year are the campuses that earned an overall A rating. IMPACT Early College High School continues to set the bar high with an A rating and an academic distinction, showcasing the hard work of students who balance both high school and college coursework. Stuart Career Tech High School not only earned an A, but also achieved four state distinctions, reflecting the school s innovative approach to career and technical education and its commitment to preparing students for success beyond graduation. Peter E. Hyland Empower Academy also achieved an A rating. This tremendous accomplishment demonstrates the dedication of its staff to creating a supportive and effective learning environment for every student. These A-rated campuses serve as shining examples of the excellence that happens every day across Goose Creek CISD. In addition to these top-rated schools, several campuses earning a solid B rating also made significant strides this year. Bowie Elementary and Clark Elementary both posted an impressive 21-point growth, with Clark also earning three distinctions. Goose Creek Memorial High School and Lee High School each earned two distinctions alongside their B ratings, reflecting academic strength in key areas. Crockett Elementary proudly earned three distinctions, while Sterling High School earned one. These campuses reflect the progress and resilience taking place throughout the district and show that strong teaching and student dedication are driving continuous improvement. Other campuses also demonstrated notable growth this year, including Ashbel Smith Elementary, Carver Elementary, De Zavala Elementary, Travis Elementary, and the Virtual Learning Academy. In addition, several campuses earned a distinction for success in targeted areas, including Banuelos Elementary, San Jacinto Elementary, and Highlands Junior School. Each campus recognized represents students and educators who are working hard to push forward and achieve even more in the future. These results are a testament to the perseverance of our students and the dedication of our staff, said Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Dr. Randal O Brien. Every campus celebrated today represents progress and the collective belief in Our Giant Future. Goose Creek CISD congratulates all campuses for their accomplishments and thanks the community for its ongoing support as the district continues to move forward and build on this success.

Story by: Nancy Bonds, Director of Communications Goose Creek Memorial High School was recently in the spotlight as Fox Friday Football Fever broadcast live from the GCM campus, showcasing the school s incredible spirit and pride. The pep rally-style celebration featured the GCM Patriot Band, Cheerleaders, and Dazzlers dance team, with the football coaching staff, faculty, and staff members joining in to cheer on the Patriots. Fox Friday Football Fever reporter with the GCM Patriot football team. Photo by Brittney Culpepper. The live segment captured the energy of the GCM community, while follow-up interviews with Head Coach Jay Mond Cleveland and senior athletes highlighted the team s growth and goals for the remainder of the season. The Patriots are currently off to a strong 3-1 start this year. Coach Cleveland reflected on the program s transformation: We have made such a remarkable change in such a short amount of time, and I credit it all to the coaching staff and the kids. They bought in from day one. We have a brand of playing with a great attitude, relentless effort, and toughness that can never be questioned, Cleveland said. He added, I am proud of my kids, and I love my kids. I am really happy to be here and grateful for the opportunity to lead them. Beyond the field, the Patriots have demonstrated excellence in the classroom and across campus. The team has excelled not only on the field but also in the classroom, where players have shown accountability and leadership. Senior wide receiver Joshua Babin described the moment as a turning point: It s a momentous occasion. With a new coach and a big turnaround, this shows how far we ve come, Babin said. We know we are in the toughest district in Texas, but we also know that we can compete with those teams. Senior offensive lineman Luis Amaya echoed the pride in being featured: It really just feels earned. We started all this in January with a whole new coaching staff. We ve already changed history at GCM football, Amaya said. Our goal is to keep getting better one game at a time, one play at a time, focusing on the small details. The pep rally broadcast brought together students, athletes, teachers, and staff to celebrate the Patriots success and highlight the growth of the GCM football program. The event showcased not only athletic achievement, but also the unity and school pride that define the Patriot community. With district play underway, the Patriots are determined to build on their strong 3-1 start. Focused on one game at a time, the team hopes to continue its momentum and make this a season to remember for the Goose Creek Memorial community. The video from the broadcast can be found here: www.fox26houston.com/video/1718350

Story by: Nancy Bonds, Director of Communications Goose Creek CISD, together with the Baytown Historical Society and community partners, proudly celebrated the unveiling of a Texas Historical Marker at Cedar Bayou Junior School, recognizing the school s remarkable role in shaping local education for more than 150 years. Photo by Yulia Trujillo-Rodriguez. The dedication ceremony, held on September 30, brought together alumni, students, staff, and community members for an evening of reflection and pride. The event began with performances by the Cedar Bayou Junior School Jazz Band and Drumline, followed by remarks from Principal Dr. Roger Cardona and Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Dr. Randal O Brien. Cedar Bayou has always been a campus built on collaboration and purpose, said Dr. O Brien. Today s dedication honors generations of educators and families whose commitment to learning made this community what it is today. The roots of education in the Cedar Bayou community date back to 1850, when the first school was established in the local Methodist church, only to be destroyed in the 1854 hurricane. In the decades that followed, dedicated educators like Mr. and Mrs. Kemp, C.C. Preston, and Linna Gaillard laid the foundation for a permanent school system. By 1876, Cedar Bayou School Community No. 5 was officially established, and classes were held in the Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge for 35 years. In 1911, community support led to the construction of two brick schoolhouses, one of which was located on land donated by Edward Ilfrey at the site of today s campus. Cedar Bayou Independent School District was later established in 1917 and eventually consolidated with Goose Creek ISD in 1954. The current Cedar Bayou Junior School campus, rebuilt in 2002, continues this proud legacy, now serving nearly 1,000 students in grades 6 through 8 with a wide range of academic and extracurricular programs. Special guests at the dedication included City of Baytown leaders, past and present Cedar Bayou Junior School staff, and Chuck Chandler of the Baytown Historical Society, who shared the school s storied past and led the official unveiling of the marker. From a one-room schoolhouse to a thriving 24-acre campus, Cedar Bayou s journey is a testament to the enduring power of education in Baytown, said Chandler. The new historical marker now stands as a symbol of Cedar Bayou s deep roots and its continued commitment to student success, honoring the past while inspiring future generations.

26.05(b) of Property Tax Code Steps Required for Adoption of Tax Rate & Budget Entity Name: Goose Creek CISD Date: 10/06/25 Statement That Must be Posted on the Home Page of Any Internet Website Operated by the Taxing Unit: This year's levy to fund maintenance and operations expenditures exceeds last year's maintenance and operations tax levy. The following statements must be included in the ordinance, resolution, or order setting this year's tax rate. The statements must be in larger type than the type used in any other portion of the document. GCCISD ADOPTED A TAX RATE THAT WILL RAISE MORE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS (M&O) THAN LAST YEAR'S M&O TAX RATE. THE M&O TAX RATE WILL EFFECTIVELY BE RAISED BY 3.06% AND WILL RAISE TAXES FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS ON A $100,000 HOME BY $22.10. Link: Business Department Transparency

Story by: Dr. Ray Lavan, GCCISD Director of Fine Arts Goose Creek CISD is proud to announce that the Cedar Bayou Junior School (CBJ) Honors Band has been named a National Winner in the prestigious Mark of Excellence National Wind Band Honors Project, sponsored by the Foundation for Music Education. Cedar Bayou Junior School (CBJ) Honors Band students proudly celebrate their National Winner recognition alongside Band Director Marcus Goodlow. Photo by CBJ Assistant Band Director, Joshua Cormier. The Mark of Excellence is a national music competition that recognizes ensembles across the country for their high standards in performance. Each entry is judged by nationally respected adjudicators, with the top 25% of ensembles named as National Winners and the second 25% recognized as Commended Winners. This year s competition received an impressive 478 entries across all classifications, representing ensembles from 40 states nationwide. Under the direction of Marcus Goodlow and Josh Cormier, the CBJ Honors Band was selected as a National Winner based on their outstanding UIL performance recording of Zipline. As part of this recognition, the band s recording will be included in a national compilation album of winners, which will be available for purchase and download at www.markcustom.com in the coming months. National Winners will also be recognized in regional and national music education publications and honored at major conventions across the country, showcasing the excellence of student musicians and music education programs like those at Goose Creek CISD. This is an incredible honor for our students, directors, and community, said Dr. Ray Lavan, Director of Fine Arts for Goose Creek CISD. Being recognized on the national stage is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our CBJ Honors Band. We are so proud of their dedication to excellence. The Foundation for Music Education, which oversees the competition, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing and fostering excellence in music performance and education across the nation. For more information on the Mark of Excellence program, please visit www.foundationformusiceducation.org .

Story by: Nancy Bonds, Director of Communications Goose Creek CISD recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Dr. Johnny T. Clark, Jr. Elementary School to celebrate the installation of a new sunshade structure designed to enhance outdoor learning and play while promoting a healthier school environment. Principal Kemberly Scheidt joins Clark Elementary students, PTO members, and representatives from Be Well Baytown, ExxonMobil, CenterPoint Energy, and Healthy Community Schools at the ribbon cutting for the school s new sunshade. Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman. The new shade structure creates a safer, more comfortable space for students to learn, play, and socialize outside. It complements the school s ongoing commitment to sun safety education, which is integrated across all grade levels and reinforced throughout the year through activities promoting sun-safe behaviors. We are so proud of the school team, led by CATCH Champion Jo McGrew, for their commitment to promoting healthy behaviors at Clark Elementary, said Lori Rumfield, Healthy Special Projects Specialist. This project is part of a larger, multi-component effort supported by Be Well Baytown, an initiative from MD Anderson sponsored by ExxonMobil. Since 2018, it has worked to increase access to sun-safe environments and expand knowledge about sun protection across the Baytown community. CenterPoint Energy also contributed to this effort. The company strives to be a catalyst in the communities it serves, leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to achieve extraordinary outcomes and working alongside schools to promote wellness and health-focused initiatives. Providing our students with safe, welcoming spaces to learn and play is a priority, said Kemberly Scheidt, Principal of Clark Elementary. The school PTO leveraged the donation for the shade structure to increase the size of the structure so the students would have even greater protection from the sun during recess. Currently, 94% of elementary schools in Goose Creek CISD have sunshades in their play areas, making outdoor play safer and more accessible for years to come. This ongoing expansion of sun-safe environments reflects the district s commitment to student wellness and community collaboration. The district extends its gratitude to the Clark PTO, Be Well Baytown, ExxonMobil, CenterPoint Energy, and all partners who helped make this project a reality, ensuring students across Goose Creek CISD can enjoy healthy, safe, and supportive outdoor spaces.

Goose Creek CISD proudly hosted its annual College & Career Night at Goose Creek Memorial High School, welcoming more than 140 colleges, business partners, and student programs eager to help students plan for their futures. Students explore opportunities with Rave Financial at College & Career Night. Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman. The event featured some of the district s most valued community partners, including Patients ER, ExxonMobil, Baytown Animal Hospital, and Beacon, alongside universities, technical schools, and industry professionals, showcasing the wide range of opportunities available to students in Goose Creek CISD. Since 2021, Goose Creek CISD s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department has partnered with the Counseling Department to organize College & Career Night, reflecting the district s ongoing commitment to equipping students with the knowledge and connections needed to take the next steps in their academic and professional journeys. Students from all grade levels explored college and career pathways, learned about available scholarships, and had the opportunity to connect directly with professionals. Student Daniella Martinez said, This event taught me a lot about nursing programs and what is available in the Houston Medical Center and around me. Dominic Wyatt added, This event has helped me figure out what options I have and what I need to hone in on and focus on. Parent Jose Rodriguez shared, Instead of kids trying to figure out who to talk to, it is all in one spot to choose and decide for themselves. Jennifer Lowery of SAMSON Controls, Inc. said, I think it s important that students see what types of industries are out there because there are many opportunities here locally that are overlooked because students are unaware of what s available to them. It s also important for students to know that not every job needs a four-year degree to be successful. From four-year universities and technical colleges to local businesses and student-led programs, College & Career Night offered families a one-stop shop for information on admissions, scholarships, training programs, and career pathways. By connecting with professionals and educators, attendees gained valuable insights to support their personal goals. Goose Creek CISD extends its appreciation to all the colleges, businesses, and organizations that contributed to the success of this event. The district looks forward to continuing this tradition of collaboration and innovation to empower every student to thrive beyond graduation.