Waltrip High School

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Waltrip High School opened in 1960 to serve many newly developed post-World War II subdivisions, and relieved Reagan High School of many students when it did so. It was relieved by Scarborough Junior-Senior High School when that school opened in 1969. The school was named after Stephen Pool Waltrip, a funeral home owner in the Houston Heights named principal of Reagan High School in 1918.{{cite news |author= |title=Origins of Leader-area Street/School Names |newspaper=The Leader News |location=Houston, TX |publisher=Jonathan McElvey |date=July 26, 2014 }}

The school remained majority white until the early 1990s, when the school was equally white, black, and Hispanic."[http://hs.houstonisd.org/waltriphs/history.htm A Brief History of: S. P. Waltrip High School] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304012744/http://hs.houstonisd.org/waltriphs/history.htm |date=2010-03-04 }}." Waltrip High School. Retrieved on April 20, 2009.

In 1997 a portion of the Reagan High School boundary was rezoned to Waltrip."[https://web.archive.org/web/19970630192140/http://www.houston.isd.tenet.edu/MAX.HTM 1996-1997 HISD ATTENDANCE BOUNDARIES]," Houston Independent School District. June 30, 1997. Retrieved on December 13, 2010. "Redirect students residing in a geographic "arm" west of Shepherd from Reagan to Waltrip" By the 2000s, Waltrip became majority Hispanic.

Waltrip has become one of the highest performing comprehensive high schools in Houston ISD by being named "Recognized" by the Texas Education Agency{{when|date=December 2010}}, one of the few urban high schools in Houston ISD to receive such a designation. (Reference: Texas Education Agency website).Texas Education Agency{{citation needed|date=December 2010}}

Around 2012, each year a total of 400 students transfer from Booker T. Washington High School to Waltrip and Reagan.Radcliffe, Jennifer. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Restoring-glory-to-Booker-T-city-s-first-black-2929631.php Effort to save historic Booker T. High gains steam]." Houston Chronicle. Thursday February 2, 2012. Retrieved on February 2, 2012.

In 2015 Andria Schur got a job as the principal of a charter school in Dallas, Texas, causing her to leave her post as principal of Waltrip. Dale Mitchell, previously the principal of Sterling High School, became the principal of Waltrip.Mellon, Ericka. "[http://blog.chron.com/k12zone/2015/06/hisd-names-yates-sterling-high-principals/ HISD names Yates, Sterling, Westbury High principals]" ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120145436/http://blog.chron.com/k12zone/2015/06/hisd-names-yates-sterling-high-principals/ |date=November 20, 2015 }}). Houston Chronicle. June 5, 2015. Retrieved on November 20, 2015.

The campus began receiving a renovation around 2015.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.houstonisd.org:80/news/2015/01/29/waltrip-high-school-getting-a-modern-makeover/|title=Waltrip High School getting a modern makeover|publisher=Houston Independent School District|date=2015-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202082731/http://blogs.houstonisd.org:80/news/2015/01/29/waltrip-high-school-getting-a-modern-makeover/|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2015-02-02}}

The Waltrip school song, "Our Waltrip High", was written by alumni Jon Enloe with music by Joe Stuessy, both from the Class of 1961."[http://www.waltripalumni.org/page-884220 School Song]." Waltrip High School. Retrieved on October 27, 2014.Source: Waltrip Alumni Association, Inc.

Neighborhoods served by Waltrip include Garden Oaks, Timbergrove Manor (Timbergrove Manor Civic Club and Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association),"[http://www.timbergrove.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Section-Map.png Section Map]." Timbergrove Manor Civic Club. Retrieved on January 11, 2019."[http://tmnaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/TMNA-Map-Full.pdf TMNA Map Full]." Timbergrove Manor Neighborhood Association. Retrieved on January 11, 2019. Shepherd Forest, Shepherd Park Plaza, Lazybrook, Shady Acres, most of Oak Forest, most of Cottage Grove,"[http://www.cottagegrovehouston.org/uploads/googlemap_cottagegrove.jpg googlemap_cottagegrove.jpg]." ({{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094048/http://www.cottagegrovehouston.org/uploads/googlemap_cottagegrove.jpg |date=2014-02-02 }}) Cottage Grove. Retrieved on October 21, 2012. Candlelight Plaza and a small portion of the Houston Heights.

A townhome complex called Cottage Grove is zoned to Waltrip.

At one point, all of the Houston Heights was zoned to Reagan. In 1997, a small portion was rezoned to Waltrip.

The makeup of the 1,597 students enrolled during the 2022-2023 school year was:

• 77% Hispanic
• 8% White
• 14% Black
• <1% Asian
• <1% Native American

Approximately 74% of the students qualified for free or reduced lunch programs.

Image:WaltripHighSchoolRamLogo.png

The Athletics Department at Waltrip consists of the following teams:

• Football
• Basketball (Boys and Girls)
• Baseball
• Softball
• Golf (Boys and Girls)
• Track & Field (Boys and Girls)
• Volleyball
• Soccer (Boys and Girls)
• Swimming (Boys and Girls)
• Tennis (Boys and Girls)
• Cheerleading (Boys and Girls)
• Cross Country (Boys and Girls)

Margaret Downing of the Houston Press stated in 2012 that the school culture placed importance on American football.{{cite web |last=Downing |first=Margaret |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-19/news/wrong-time-wrong-place/ |title=Wrong Time, Wrong Place |newspaper=Houston Press |date=2012-04-19 |accessdate=2022-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428040244/http://www.houstonpress.com/2012-04-19/news/wrong-time-wrong-place/ |archive-date=28 April 2012 |url-status=dead}}

In 2012 it housed the Waltrip High School Child Development Center, a preschool program for low income children.Lee, Renée C. "[http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Program-gives-low-income-kids-an-early-boost-3507650.php Program gives low income kids an early boost]." Houston Chronicle. Tuesday April 24, 2012. Retrieved on April 25, 2012. Since 2015 it no longer does so.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

The Texas Education Agency rankings in 2009-2010 and 2011 were "Recognized" and "Academically Acceptable". Downing stated in 2012 that "Waltrip High is neither the worst nor the best high school in HISD."

• ID Badges: Students are required to wear their ID badge with a lanyard around the neck at all times while on

campus. All students will be issued one ID badge and a lanyard.

• Shirts: Although there is no color requirement for clothes, no crop tops, spaghetti straps, or strapless shirts are allowed and all shirts must cover the top of the pants. Shirts must be worn in such a

manner that no cleavage or midriff is exposed.

• Pants: Pants must fit appropriately at the waist and crotch. That means no sagging pants. Skirts, shorts, skorts must be of appropriate length (not above mid-thigh). Any pants with holes or tears above the knees must not show skin. Any holes in pants more than two inches in length on any part of the pant must not show skin. No holes above the mid-thigh are allowed. Athletic attire may be worn if it meets the criteria noted in the Waltrip High

School dress code. Leggings may be worn but they must not be sheer and they must be paired with a top that covers the buttock area.

• Undergarments: Students must wear appropriate undergarments at all times. Undergarments must NOT be visible. Pajamas are not allowed.
• Headwear: Hats, caps, bandanas, skull caps, do-rags, hoods or any other head covering may not be worn at any time while on campus, whether inside or out. Hoodless sweatshirts or fleeces are encouraged. Waltrip fleeces in school colors are available at the Waltrip Student Store.
• Footwear: Students must wear shoes. For safety reasons, closed-toe designs such as tennis shoes are the preferred type of footwear. Footwear deemed unsafe will not be allowed. If wearing

Crocs, students should use the back strap for safety of use. House slippers are not allowed.

• Jewelry and Accessories: Jewelry with symbols or representations of illegal/inappropriate items are not allowed. Sunglasses are not to be worn on campus, whether inside or out. No “grills” or other mouth accessory will be allowed (with the exception of orthodontia).
• Any article of clothing with representations of gangs, drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, death, or any other design deemed inappropriate or distracting to the educational process is not allowed.

Elementary schools that feed into Waltrip "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WaltripHS.pdf Waltrip High School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225101300/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WaltripHS.pdf |date=2012-02-25 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. include:

• Durham "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/DurhamES.pdf Durham Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211536/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/DurhamES.pdf |date=2007-09-30 }}." Houston Independent School District Retrieved on April 20, 2009.
• Oak Forest "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/OakForestES.pdf Oak Forest Elementary School Attendance Zone]." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009.
• Sinclair "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/SinclairES.pdf Sinclair Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227012051/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/SinclairES.pdf |date=2009-02-27 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009.
• Stevens "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/StevensES.pdf Stevens Elementary School Attendance Zone]." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009.
• Garden Oaks "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/GardenOaksES.pdf Garden Oaks Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227012225/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/GardenOaksES.pdf |date=2009-02-27 }}," Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Helms "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HelmsES.pdf Helms Elementary School Attendance Zone]." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Highland Heights "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HighlandHeightsES.pdf Highland Heights Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930220011/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HighlandHeightsES.pdf |date=2007-09-30 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Love "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LoveES.pdf Love Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930225101/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LoveES.pdf |date=2007-09-30 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Memorial "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/MemorialES.pdf Memorial Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216035025/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/memoriales.pdf |date=2008-02-16 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Stevenson "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/StevensonES.pdf Stevenson Elementary School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216034858/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/stevensones.pdf |date=2008-02-16 }}," Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)

Middle schools that feed into Waltrip include:

• Frank Black "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/BlackMS.pdf Black Middle School Attendance Zone]." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Hamilton "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HamiltonMS.pdf Hamilton Middle School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530024736/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HamiltonMS.pdf |date=2008-05-30 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)
• Williams "[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WilliamsMS.pdf Williams Middle School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930212146/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WilliamsMS.pdf |date=2007-09-30 }}." Houston Independent School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2009. (partial)

• Mark Calaway (Class of 1983) - Retired WWE professional wrestler known as The Undertaker."[http://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/undertaker World Wrestling Entertainment Bio]"
• Keenan McCardell (Class of 1988) - Professional American football wide receiver coach for the Minnesota Vikings
• Shelley Duvall (Class of 1967) - Producer and actress "[http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c3783acb02efc010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD Distinguished HISD Alumni] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120515061020/http://www.houstonisd.org/HISDConnectDS/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=c3783acb02efc010VgnVCM10000052147fa6RCRD |date=May 15, 2012 }}." Houston Independent School District.
• Toni Lawrence - Former Houston City Councilwoman "[http://www.houstontx.gov/council/a/index.html Houston City Council Bio] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529141340/http://www.houstontx.gov/council/a/index.html |date=2013-05-29 }}"
• Denzel Livingston (Class of 2011), basketball player for Hapoel Kfar Saba of the Israeli Liga Leumit[http://basketball.eurobasket.com/PlayerPrintProfilePdf.asp?PlayerID=244976 ] {{Dead link|date=August 2022}}
• Debra Maffett (Class of 1975) - Miss America 1983.
• Van Malone (Class of 1988) - Professional American football player for the Detroit Lions and college football coach
• Anita "Sweetie" Marbury (Class of 1965) - Mayor of Durango, Colorado{{cite news |last=Villarreal |first=Elizabeth |date=July 26, 2014 |title=Neighbors: Waltrip Grad is Colorado Mayor Now |newspaper=The Leader News |location=Houston, TX |publisher=John McElvey }}
• Barbara Olson (Class of 1974) - Conservative commentator and September 11, 2001 attacks victim "[http://hs.houstonisd.org/WaltripHS/TriviaFolder/trivia.htm Waltrip Trivia Page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831194046/http://hs.houstonisd.org/WaltripHS/TriviaFolder/trivia.htm |date=2012-08-31 }}," Waltrip High School
• Patrick Swayze (Class of 1971) - Actor and dancer.
• Jermaine Rogers (Class of 1991) - Gig-poster artist and vinyl collectible designer.
• John H. Whitmire (Class of 1967) - A Texas senator, Mayor of Houston
• Danny Ward - Acclaimed musician and event producer"[http://www.wardandames.com]," Ward & Ames
• Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman - murder victims - Waltrip High School contains a memorial to the girls "[http://hs.houstonisd.org/waltriphs/TriviaFolder/Ertman_Pena/eartman-pena1.htm In Memory of Elizabeth Pena and Jennifer Ertman - 1993] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315065309/http://hs.houstonisd.org/waltriphs/TriviaFolder/Ertman_Pena/eartman-pena1.htm |date=March 15, 2007 }}." Waltrip High School. Retrieved on March 6, 2010.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Dr. Enloe, Jon. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20151120235414/http://theleadernews.com/editorials/community-energy-needed-for-waltrip-resurgence/ Community energy needed for Waltrip resurgence]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151120235414/http://theleadernews.com/editorials/community-energy-needed-for-waltrip-resurgence/ Archive]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20151120235414/http://theleadernews.com/editorials/community-energy-needed-for-waltrip-resurgence/ Archive]) (editorial). The Leader. September 5, 2013.

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