Martin High School (Laredo, Texas)

27°31′04″N 99°30′23″W / 27.5179°N 99.5063°WCoordinates: 27°31′04″N 99°30′23″W / 27.5179°N 99.5063°W

Raymond & Tirza Martin High School
Location
Laredo, Texas, United States
Information
Type Public
School district Laredo Independent School District
Principal Guillermo Pro
Grades 9th - 12th
Color(s) Red & White
Mascot Tiger
Website Martin High School

Raymond & Tirza Martin High School, known as Martin High School, is a secondary institution of learning located in the Laredo Independent School District in Laredo, Texas, United States. Grades 9th through 12th are taught there. It serves students living in central Laredo. The school is adjacent to the Laredo Civic Center.

In 2007, Martin High School was cited by the Texas Education Agency in Austin, for having performed below U.S. academic standards. The institution trailed acceptable standards in reading and mathematics instruction and was given "Stage 3" sanctions. Martin is one of forty-seven schools in Texas in the "Stage 3" category. The school was informed in 2008 that if it does not improve its academic standing, it could be converted to a charter school, have its administrative staff replaced, or be taken over by the State of Texas.[1]

In 2009, Laredo Independent School District officials said that efforts would be redoubled to teach English to a remaining group of students who continue to prefer Spanish in most conversations. "We need to speak as much English as possible," said Severita Sanchez, the LISD executive director of compliance and accountability. School officials blamed the weak foundation in English for poor performance on academic skills tests.[2]

In 2014, Martin High School, along with J. W. Nixon High School and Cigarroa High School in the LISD, fell short on minimum state standards and were placed on the Public Education Grant list. Similarly impacted is Lyndon B. Johnson High School in the United Independent School District.[3]

History

Entrance to Martin High School (renovated 2008)
The former gymnasium at Martin High School
The Colonel Roberto Flores Academic and Wellness Center on the Martin High School campus

Laredo High School, the first public school in Laredo, was founded downtown in 1916 at the site of the present day La Posada Hotel. In 1937, Laredo High School was moved to San Bernardo Avenue and renamed Martin High School. It was the only public high school in Laredo from 1937 until 1964, when J. W. Nixon High School opened in The Heights neighborhood.

Martin High School is well known for its band, also acknowledged as "La Banda Del Animo." The most popular and energetic song played by this band is their "Fight Song". Martin High has several distinctions under its belt as their band was the first band invited from Laredo to perform at a Dallas Cowboys game and has been invited to perform at several parades around the state of Texas. Martin sports the only basketball team from Laredo ever to win a State Basketball Championship—in 1956. Several of the schools sayings are "The Pride of Laredo," and the most well-known is "Once A Tiger, Always A Tiger."

One of Martin High's most enduring teachers was Elizabeth Sorrell, who taught principally English in the Laredo Independent School District from 1931-1979. Thereafter, she launched a second career as the popular society columnist for the Laredo Morning Times.

Another faculty member, Esther Buckley (1948-2013), a 1963 graduate of Martin High School, taught for forty-two years for the Laredo Independent School District. Her last position was as an instructor at the Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Center, which functions as a magnet school within Martin High School. In 2010, she was a finalist for "Best in Texas" Education Award by H-E-B Foods. Buckley was a member of the United States Commission on Civil Rights from 1983 until 1992, an original appointee of U.S. President Ronald W. Reagan. Buckley was also a former chairman of the Republican Party in Webb County.[4][5]

Martin High School has an award-winning Crime Stoppers program under the direction of Sandra Rocha. The director for the LISD Campus Crime Stoppers Program is Estela Quintanilla. The two are Martin High School graduates.

Martin's school colors are red and white.

Mascot: Tiger

MOTTO: Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger

Magnet school

The Health Science Magnet School of Laredo ISD is named for physician Dennis D. Cantu, a member of the Laredo Independent School District Board.

The Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health and Science Magnet School focuses on health and science education, with two career paths available. Dennis Cantu is a graduate, not of Martin High School but of J. W. Nixon High School, a practicing physician in Laredo, and a member of the Laredo Independent School Board.

Notable alumni

References

  1. Tricia Cortez, "Twelve fall short", Laredo Morning Times, September 5, 2007, p. 1
  2. Nick Georgiou, "Too Much Spanish: Martin High will focus on teaching English", Laredo Morning Times June 10, 2009, p. 1
  3. Judith Rayo, "17 schools fall short", Laredo Morning Times, January 15, 2015, p. 1
  4. JJ Velasquez, "Minivan-truck crash leaves beloved educator dead", Laredo Morning Times, February 12, 2013, pp. 1, 12A
  5. "Esther Gonzalez-Arroyo Buckley (March 29, 1948 - FebruarY 11, 2013)", Laredo Morning Times, February 15, 2013, p. 10A

External links