Education


The viability of any community rests in large measure upon the success of its local schools. Pasadena thrives with excellent educational opportunities through the diverse cultures of the Pasadena Independent School District, San Jacinto College District, University of Houston-Clear Lake and Texas Chiropractic College and their respective nationwide recognition. To accommodate Pasadena’s growing population, public and private schools are expanding alongside an increase in continuing education programs for adults seeking alternative certifications or specialized skills.

Education is also found through professional development programs such as IMPACT Pasadena, a transformative leadership experience designed to develop Pasadena’s next generation of business and community leaders.  Focused on economic vitality, social sustainability and community engagement, IMPACT Pasadena brings together rising leaders across all industry sectors embarking on a year-long journey of experiential learning and personal growth.

The Pasadena Independent School District is the 16th largest school district in Texas and is home to over 56,000 students served through 67 campuses. Pasadena ISD offers innovative and inspiring educational programs recognized throughout the region that begins with full day Pre-K initiatives and continues through high school. When students graduate, many of them carry numerous college credit hours, associate degrees, industry certifications and clearly defined career pathways. The accomplishments aren’t limited to educational accolades. Through Pasadena ISD’s fine arts, athletics and academic programs, students have infinite opportunity to showcase their talents and shine.

Pasadena Chamber members such as First Baptist Christian Academy and St. Pius V Catholic School offer educational experiences for those families seeking alternatives to public schools for children in grade school. Pasadena’s faith-based institutions challenge students to develop and sustain a relationship with Jesus Christ through curriculum that includes bible classes, chapel services and a focus on service to the community and academic excellence.

And, with organizations like Communities In Schools Texas Joint Venture, that provide high-quality programs during the school day and afterschool to improve academics, behavior, attendance, promotion, and graduation rates. CIS provides homework help, tutoring, enrichment, health and wellness, character education, college and career readiness, family engagement, social services and service learning. 

Regardless of the institution, Pasadena children have access to obtain the education desired and the resources available to meet each families need. Upon graduation young adults have access to many options in higher education right in Pasadena to continue to achieve success for their desired pathway.

San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. As a fiscally sound institution, the college currently holds bond ratings of AA and Aa2 by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively. San Jacinto College is a top 10 community college in the country, receiving the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and the 2017 Aspen Prize Rising Star Award (ranking it as one of the top five community colleges in the country), and an Achieving the Dream Leader College. This is due to the commitment of the board of trustees, faculty and staff in helping students complete what they start at San Jacinto College.

Approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students each semester benefit from a support system that maps out a pathway for success. The college offers eight areas of study with more than 200 degree and certificate options that prepare a diverse body of students to transfer to four-year colleges or universities or enter the workforce with the skills needed to support the growing industries along the Texas Gulf Coast. San Jacinto College’s impact on the region totals $1.3 billion in added income, which supports 13,044 jobs.

For more information about San Jacinto College, call (281) 998‑6150 or visit online at www.sanjac.edu

Texas Chiropractic College

As one of the most respected colleges of its kind in the United States, Texas Chiropractic College has been at the forefront of patient-centered health care for more than 110 years. Striving to develop professionals who are practice-ready, the college offers Doctor of Chiropractic and Bachelor of Science in Human Biology degrees.

Texas Chiropractic College educates the next generation of chiropractors from all over the world to train at its highly ranked program. Its mission is to not only provide future practitioners with a top-tier education, but to go further: to have students graduate as compassionate, ethical and skilled healthcare professionals.

When it comes to chiropractic education, the college focuses on combining practical knowledge with skills, abilities and opportunities to put learning into practice. Its faculty not only respects the principles upon which this holistic healing method was founded, but also passes them on to the next generation of chiropractors. By sharing both the history of this health care discipline along with the latest evidence-informed chiropractic health care, the college carries on the tradition of high-quality professional leadership and training.

To find out more information on this respected chiropractic resource, please visit txchiro.edu.

University of Houston-Clear Lake

For more than 40 years, University of Houston-Clear Lake has launched the careers of astronauts, scientists, best-selling authors and entrepreneurs. Whether you are just starting your college search or looking to take the next step in your career, we have you covered.

The university offers more than 90 degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students through four academic colleges. Students can enroll full-time or part-time and take classes during the day, evening and online. Additionally, courses are offered at university locations in Pearland and the Texas Medical Center, so students have flexibility in earning their degrees. More than 100 student organizations and campus traditions provide opportunities to get involved and form new friendships.

The addition of the first on-campus residence hall, Hunter Hall, gives students the opportunity to live steps away from to their classes, engage with others outside the classroom and stay connected to campus resources.

The university is home to a diverse community of more than 9,000 students along with professors and staff who are committed to your success. Nearly 40 percent of its students are Hispanic, making it a Hispanic Serving Institution, while many others come from countries around the world. Campus programs and resources embrace diversity at all levels to create an enriching student experience.

This year, University of Houston-Clear Lake is the highest-ranked regional university in Texas on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 rankings for Top Public Schools, and ranked 25th on the list for Best Value Schools. Learn more at www.uhcl.edu.

Today’s jobs require education and training, and not all individuals feel traditional colleges are the right match, which is why programs at Interactive College of Technology or Texas Carpenters & Millwrights Houston Training Center are viable options to meet your needs. These organizations focus on smaller class sizes, skilled instructors and hands on experiences in order to obtain the training and certifications necessary for those looking for a new career path or to gain the knowledge, skills and experience today’s employer’s demand.  In 2019, San Jacinto College opened the doors to its new LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology, which will lead the way in training the advanced workforce to meet the growing demands of the industry.

Collectively the Chamber’s goal is to enable and motivate students at all ages to attain skills and knowledge they need to reach their potential to become productive members of a global society. We accomplish this through collaborative partnerships focused on promoting education for all and providing opportunities for business to engage with future workforce through essential internship learning environments and real world experiences. The Pasadena Chamber will continue to work towards connecting our community together and building partnerships that make an impact and we invite our member businesses to be a part of the process.

Letter from the Superintendent

Pasadena ISD serves over 53,000 students at 68 traditional, alternative and career-centered campuses — covering an 85-mile radius. We are currently the 16th largest school district in the state of Texas and employ more than 8,200 individuals, many of whom call the great City of Pasadena home. Discover the great opportunities that Pasadena ISD has to offer.

Through continuous support of our community, local businesses and organizations, students have access to innovative programs and technology-driven resources which empower them to take on challenges tailored to their personal interests, skills and the job market. From personalized learning, advanced placement, real-world experiences, internships and more, Pasadena ISD empowers students to take ownership of their educational experience.

Our students are offered a variety of choices when considering their future. Some of these options include the following:

Full-Day Prekindergarten – We are excited about the continual expansion of our full-day prekindergarten program.  As the program expands each year, we see increasing student growth in literacy and mathematical knowledge.  Our four-year-olds are prepared for kindergarten!

Dual Language – The program is designed to promote bilingualism and bi-literacy, cross-cultural competency and boost academic achievement for students of all backgrounds.

Connect Personalized Learning – The Connect digital learning platform available at 41 campuses empowers students to work independently, in a group or with a mentor on lessons offered through classroom instruction or through online programs.

Early College High School – ECHS, available at each comprehensive high school, provides students with an opportunity to earn an Associate Degree along with their high school diploma.

Three Schools of Choice – The Lewis Career and Technical High School, Tegeler Career Center and Community School offer an educational experience that meets the diverse needs of students.

Career and Technical Pathways — Pasadena ISD’s comprehensive high schools provide students with access to five endorsements including: STEAM, Business and Industry, Arts and Humanities, Public Services and Multidisciplinary. Each endorsement includes career-related pathways based on interest or skill set.

Advanced Placement – Advanced Placement students have the opportunity to earn qualifying scores which count as college and university credit.

Dual Credit – Students can earn college and high school credit simultaneously as part of the Dual Credit pathway. Courses are offered in a variety of subjects including math, science, English, economics, history, various foreign languages, government and various technical courses through our partnership with San Jacinto Community College Central and South Campuses.

College Now – Each traditional high school offers students a chance to work with College Now coordinators who guide students through the process of applying for and gaining acceptance to college.

From our innovative programs to our outstanding learning environments and accomplishments, we have so many reasons to be Pasadena proud. Thank you for your continued support of our school district. Discover the possibilities, discover Pasadena ISD. Discover Pasadena ISD at www.pasadenaisd.org/PowerOfChoice

Sincerely,
Dr. DeeAnn Powell

Pasadena ISD 2018-2019 Statistics

GENERAL INFORMATION
Total Campuses: 68
High Schools: 7
Intermediate: 10
Middle: 11
Elementary: 36
Alternative: 4

STUDENT ENROLLMENT
Total Enrollment: 53,029
Gifted: 5%
Special Education: 11%
English Language Learners: 29%
Career and Technical: 21%

STUDENT BREAKDOWN
African-American: 7%
Hispanic: 84%
Caucasian: 5%
Asian: 3%
Other: 1%
STAFFING
Total Employees: 8,279
Teachers: 3,993
Auxiliary Staff: 1,983
Aides: 1,549
Professional Support: 287
Campus Admin: 212
Central Office: 255

STUDENT PERFORMANCE/PARTICIPATION
Graduate Rate: 89.9%
Number of Graduates: 3,556
Average SAT Score: 1,001
Dual Credit / Cumulative Hours Earned: 15,964
Students Enrolled in AP Courses: 5,069