Crosby High School (Texas)


Crosby High School is a public high school in Crosby, a community in unincorporated Harris County, Texas. Approximately 1,600 students are enrolled in grades 9 through 12.
Crosby High School is located off FM 2100, approximately 35 miles northeast of Downtown Houston. It serves the Crosby Independent School District. Crosby ISD built a new high school campus that opened fall of 2016. Current administration includes Principal Terry Perkins.
The school serves the census-designated places of Crosby and Barrett.
2011 School Accountability Rating: Met standard.
Although Crosby High School met the existing 2016 standard, under the new Texas Education Agency letter grade rankings set to debut in 2018, Crosby High School received 3 - D's and 1 - F in the following areas, Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps and Postsecondary Readiness.
Crosby High School has been noticeably receiving statewide attention due to the 5A football team making it to the state semifinals during the 2014–15 school year.
The Crosby High School military marching band also made it to state during the 2015–16 school year.
Football is high on the list of priorities at Crosby High School. This is evidenced by the fact that the head football coach, Jeff Riordan, is paid more than the principal. Jeff Riordan's salary was $117,896, while the principal's salary was only $113,000.

History

On September 18, 1991, 17-year-old Arthur Jermel Jack was killed by 15-year-old LaKeeta Cadoree, in the cafeteria. Cadoree, still holding the gun, went to the school's office, called her mother, and asked to be taken home. Cadoree then "broke down", according to the Associated Press. The school's assistant principal was able to calm her down and convince her to surrender her weapon. She was arrested, tried, and convicted for Jack's murder and was released after serving 22 years in prison.
In 2000 Rudolph Thomas, the principal, resigned from his position. Deborah Frank, an assistant principal, became the new principal.

Academics

13 Pre-AP classes

Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English I, English II, World Geography, World History, Spanish I, Spanish II, and Spanish III

13 AP classes

Calculus AB, Statistics, English III Language and Composition, English IV Literature and Composition, European History, United States History, United States Government and Politics, Macroeconomics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics C: Mechanics, Environmental Science, Spanish IV: Spanish Language

Dual credit classes

Dual credit classes with San Jacinto College North and Lee College.
Dual credit programs: CTE, MECA, professional certifications.

Recent achievements

Recent academic achievements include 14 straight UIL Academic District Championships in Cross Examination Debate, an appearance with two teams in the quarterfinals UIL Cross Examination 4A State in 2005 and Finishing as UIL State CX Debate Champions in 2002 and 2007. The debate team finished 10th at the National Forensic League National Tournament, a tournament with a qualification process involving more than 1,000 teams nationwide, as well as qualifying for the Tournament of Champions for the second time in its history. In 2008 the debate team placed second at UIL State and had another team ranked in the top 16.
The 2008 Catamount yearbook received a Gold Medal Rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, ranking among the top yearbooks in the nation. To receive a Gold rating, publications must score in the 92nd percentile among all yearbooks. The Catamount also received All-Columbian Honors in two categories, ranking in the top 95%. Along with the Gold Medal rating, the Catamount has been named as one of the top yearbooks published by Walsworth Publishing Company and featured in a book of top designs to be distributed around the nation. The Catamount staff was featured on nine pages.
The 2010 UIL Journalism team was named an All State Journalism Team, with one, Kenny Chilton, seizing the Silver Medal for UIL Editorial Writing in The State of Texas.
The 2011-2011 UIL Journalism team was named Conference AAAA State Champion team.
The Theatre Department at CHS advanced to the Area round of UIL One Act Play in 2016.

Band

The Crosby High School band is under the direction of Kevin Knight, Director of Bands for Crosby ISD. Mr. Knight is assisted by the Crosby High School Associate Director, Michael Lehew, and Crosby Middle School Assistant Director, Don Heaslet. The band is composed of over 120 dedicated instrumental musicians that have a historical record of success at UIL music competitions.

Marching Season

Known as the "Big Red Machine", the Crosby High School marching band is one of the few military marching bands in Texas. For seven consecutive years during the UIL Region Marching Contests, the Big Red Machine is the only 5A program in the region holding UIL Division 1 ratings from all adjudicators. During the 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019 seasons, the band advanced to the UIL Area Marching Contests. During the 2015 and 2017 seasons, the band advanced to the UIL State Marching Championships.

Concert Season

Over 50 medals from the Region 19 UIL Solo & Ensemble Festival are brought home each year. Locally, several students make the annual Region Honor Bands and advance to Area tryouts. Several students also advance to the UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contest. In the 2011-2012 school year, the band brought home the 1st Place Gold Award as the top high school band in the Heritage Festivals Competition, held in Anaheim, California. For the 2013 Spring UIL Stage Contest, all four bands from Crosby Middle School & Crosby High School earned straight Division 1 Ratings.