Clements High School

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William P. Clements High School
Location
4200 Elkins Dr.
Sugar Land, Texas
USA
Information
School district Fort Bend ISD
Principal Kevin Moran
Enrollment

2280
Faculty 125
Type Public
Grades 9-12
Campus Suburban
Schedule type Traditional
Color(s) Columbia blue, Navy blue, and White
Established 1983
Nickname Rangers
Accreditation SACS, TEA
Yearbook Silver Bullet
Newspaper Ranger Review
Homepage Clements High School

William P. Clements High School, more commonly known as Clements High School, is a public high school in Sugar Land within the U.S. state of Texas that is named after former Texas governor Bill Clements, and is a part of the Fort Bend Independent School District. The school principal is currently Kevin Moran.

Clements High School has been recognized by Texas Monthly magazine in its list of the top 10 high schools in the state of Texas. In Newsweeks 2006 ranking of United States high schools, Clements is ranked 407th [1]. (The ranking is determined by the ratio of the number of Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate tests taken by the school's students to the number of graduating seniors.) Clements also has been named the 5th best school in Houston by the Houston Press for 2005–2006.

Contents

[edit] History

Many classes have been held in temporary modular buildings, or "t-shacks" as they are commonly known, because of the lack of space in the main building. The additional wing, completed during the 2003-2004 school year, houses labs for each of the sciences—physics, chemistry and biology— the labs were added in order to help facilitate learning and to make room for more classes. The extension to the fine arts wing was completed during the 2007-2008 school year. It gives much needed room to the students and teachers involved in the band, orchestra, choir, and visual arts.

A major cheating scandal reached media outlets concerning the graduating class of 2005 when a student was found to be using keystroke logging to steal information for tests [2].

In 2007, the day after the VT shootings, a senior was removed from school for recreating and uploading the school's layout for an online computer game. The map had been available to users for over a year. The boy's home was searched by police and deemed a "terroristic threat" for having a hammer in his bedroom to fix his bed. The Chinese community was upset by the accusations but the student was able to attend graduation after much protest. [3].

In Spring 2007, FBISD released the results of a survey by students [4]. At Clements, according to the survey, 3.8% of students felt unsafe in classrooms, 9.6% felt unsafe in the hallways, 9.8% felt unsafe in the restrooms, 14.5% felt unsafe on school buses, and 15.5% felt unsafe in parking lots.

[edit] Alma Mater

Hues of Blue and White are our colors.
High our banners proudly we fly.
Built of spirit and tradition.
You will hear our battle cry.
We will sing of honor and glory.
Lift our voices as high as the sky.
To the mighty strength of the Rangers.
Alma mater Clements High.

[edit] Student Body

In the 2004–2005 school year, 2280 students attended Clements High School. Clements's student body is two-sided; 53% of the all the students are classified as non-Hispanic white, 39% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 5% are Hispanic (of any race), and 3% are African American. The students generally come from upper middle class families.

The Asian population can be broken down mainly into these subgroups: Chinese-American, Indian-American (the school has a thriving Ismaili community and Christians from India are also very common) and Vietnamese-American. There are also students of many other nationalities, cultures and religions attending Clements.

The student council has been the face of the school when interacting with the school district as well as with other members of TASC. All the positions are elected by the general student body and theoretically represent the general student interests. These individuals have been charged in organizing campus-wide projects especially those that are pushed by from the state and district level.

[edit] Faculty

In the 2003–2004 school year, 154 teachers taught at Clements. 45% had at least a masters degree. In the 2004–2005 school year, 126 teachers taught at Clements.

[edit] Academics

Over 98% of all the students at Clements passed the TAKS exam in 2003. Clements was also number 373 on the National Best High Schools List by Challenge Index. The class of 2000 had the most National Merit Semi-Finalists in school history with 43. [5]

[edit] Core Classes

There are over 200 possible courses to chose from, including college credit classes, AP classes, and an honors/Gifted and Talented program. The core classes are English, Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. In order to graduate one must have finished four credits of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies which include English I-IV and World Geography, World History, US History, Government and Economics. Minimal math courses include: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Math Models. Sciences includes IPC: Integrated Physics and Chemistry, Biology I, and Chemistry I.

[edit] Computing Classes

One credit of computer class is required for graduation. Computer Science is taken by many students in which they are taught programming languages such as Java. This course is taught solely by Mrs. Lorena after the unexpected departure of Mr. Steinbrecher. Another popular course is Business Computer Information Systems (BCIS).

[edit] Foreign Languages

Students may take Spanish, French, German, Chinese, American Sign Language, Japanese, and Latin. Spanish is the most common class to take at Clements because of the location[citation needed]. Clements is located in the Houston area with a large Hispanic population, thus the language is very useful in this region. A movement is also present for more languages to be available, notably Hindi and Arabic. Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Chinese are available up to a fifth level. Latin to a fourth level and ASL to a third level. Many students also take the AP exam (Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Latin) in these classes. Many of these same students also go to Europe and/or the corresponding country. Clements is noted for its foreign exchange program as well.

[edit] Continuing Studies

If desired, a Clements student may continue go beyond the graduation requirements.
Computer Science II
Science options include Physics I (required for students who did not take IPC), Chemistry II, Biology II, Anatomy and Physiology, and Physics II. Math courses additional courses are Precalculus, College Transitional Math, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Statistics.
Social Studies, Psychology, Sociology, and Human Geography are available.
This can be done by taking two or three classes of the same field within the same year (called "doubling up" or even "tripling up") or by taking a course over the summer.

[edit] Extracurricular Activities

Clements offers different clubs, organizations, and teams. A full list is viewable here: http://www.fortbendisd.com/campuses/chs/activities.cfm?ActivityTitleIndex=All

[edit] Nationally Renowned organizations

[edit] Award Winning and Noteworthy Organizations

[edit] Fine Arts

[edit] Art

Students may take Drawing 2-D, Art 3-D, Electronic Media. The Drawing 2-D Program consists of the Drawing 2-D Portfolio and the Drawing 2-D Design classes. The art department also hosts the annual "Retrospective" Art Show in the school around the beginning of May.


[edit] Band

Awards earned by the Clements Bands include:[citation needed]

  • 25 consecutive Division 1 UIL Marching Awards
  • 21 consecutive Division 1 UIL Concert and Sightreading Awards
  • 1994 TMEA 5-A Honor Band
  • 1995 Midwest Convention and Clinic Participant
  • 1995 Sudler Flag of Honor Recipient
  • 2000 Grammy Award of Excellence
  • 2000 2nd Runner-Up TMEA 5-A Honor Band
  • 2003 Sudler Shield of Honor Nominee
  • The Clements Ranger Marching Band has appeared at the Texas State Marching Competition five times (1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006)
  • 2004 State Finalists
  • 2006 State Marching Contest Participant
  • 2007 Lone Star Preview Finalist

The three Clements concert bands have performed in Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in 1999, Carnegie Hall in New York City, NY in 2002, and in Symphony Hall in Chicago in 2006. All three Clements bands performed at Newark Symphony Hall in New Jersey in April, 2008, as part of the Festivals of Music competition. Each of the three bands placed in first in their respective categories, and the Symphonic Band (Top Band) was chosen as Outstanding Band of the competition.

As members of the Clements symphony, Clements band and orchestra students have also earned the following awards:

  • 2001 Midwest Convention and Clinic Participant
  • 2002 TMEA Honor Orchestra

Band is instructed by Daniel Galloway (preceded by Larry Matysiak), director, as well as Jeff Johnson and Sara Day, assistant directors. Sara Day, in addition to directing the award-winning Varsity #3 band, instructs the also award-winning Clements High School Color Guard (preceded by Daniel Galloway) who received first place in the state at the Texas Color Guard Circuit Championships in 2007 and 2008. Jeff Johnson conducts the perennially all-star Clements Drumline, and Daniel Galloway conducts the outstanding Clements Symphonic Band.

As all of First Colony Middle School as well as all of Fort Settlement Middle School now feeds into Clements, the band has added a 4th band (called Concert Band #3). This band will likely be interacting a lot with the Concert #2 band.


[edit] Color Guard

The Clements Color Guard is also under the band "umbrella". The Color Guard, directed by Sara Day, marches with the band during football season, then goes into Winterguard, also known as competition season. The Guard spins Rifle, Saber and Flag during halftime, and is one of the visual effects of the band. Also the Clements Guard has been State Champions 2 years running, 2006-2007 & 2007-2008, and was recently reconized by the School Board in 2008 for outstanding display of skill, which is a high honor. The Guard is extremely determined and skilled with the leadership of Sara Day.

[edit] Choir

The Choir program consist of a Beginners Choir, a JV Men's Choir, a JV Women's Choir, a Varsity Women's Choir, a Varsity Mixed Choir, and previously a show choir named 'Posse'.

[edit] Dance

Besides instructional dance for PE credit, Clements has a dance team named the Stars (Previously known as the Rangerettes).

[edit] Orchestra

The top orchestra has placed as high as first in the state in 2002, second in state in 2004, and has been top six in the state for at least 3 years running. It is made up of a group of around 100 students depending on the year that are dedicated to creating music. Most of the students are active in the region and state level orchestras and Clements boasts a large number of students who make state level every year. Clements has four orchestras: Chamber Strings, Sinfonia, Philharmonia and Camerata. Chamber Strings and Sinfonia compete on the varsity level.

[edit] Theater

The Clements Theater Department produces, on average, four shows a year. These normally include one fall straight play, a spring musical, a UIL one act play competition piece and the student directed one act play festival (SDOAPs). There are also various Theater Production class projects shown in The Black Box theater. Clements Thespians participate in both the Texas State Thespian Festival in November and the International Thespian Festival in June. In 2003 Clements theater students were invited to preform in the Edinburgh Fringe festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. The productions are open to all Clements students and by being in shows and supporting other local theater, one can earn 'points' towards becoming an inducted member of the International Thespian Society troupe 3689. One point equals 4 hours of work and one needs to have obtained 10 points in order to become inducted. Students can letter in theater after 40 points have been accumulated.

[edit] Athletics

[edit] Boys

  • Baseball (Varsity, JV, Alternate Varsity, Sophomore)
  • Basketball (Varsity, JV, Sophomore, Freshman)
  • Cross Country
  • Diving
  • Football (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
  • Golf
  • Hockey (Varsity)
  • Soccer (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
  • Swimming (Varsity, JV)
  • Tennis
  • Track (Varsity, JV, Freshman)
  • Lacrosse

[edit] Girls

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Diving
  • Golf
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming
  • Tennis
  • Track (Varsity, JV)
  • Volleyball (Varsity, JV)
  • Color Guard

[edit] Feeder Patterns

The following elementary schools [6] feed into Clements [7]:

  • Colony Bend
  • Austin Parkway (partial)
  • Colony Meadows
  • Commonwealth
  • Settlers Way (partial)

The following middle schools [8] feed into Clements:

  • Fort Settlement
  • First Colony

Due to the growing neighborhoods and new schools, constant rezoning has students transferring from selected areas of Elkins High School and Dulles High School. This includes parts of neighborhoods such as Settlers Grove, Settlers Park, Chimneystone, and Lakefield. FBISD has tried to maintain the student body of Clements High School to be predominantly upper-middle class by rezoning specific neighborhoods to Clements and removing others from the Clements attendance zone.


[edit] External links

v • d • e
Fort Bend Independent School District
High schools Austin | Bush | Clements | Dulles | Elkins | Hightower | Kempner | Marshall | Travis | Willowridge
Middle schools Fort Settlement | Sartartia