All About
The Rice School/La Escuela Rice

Our History

In August 1994, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) opened the doors to a newly designed school that offers students unique and challenging learning experiences, focusing on an integrated approach to curriculum. The Rice School/La Escuela Rice, the product of a collaboration with Rice University, serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade in an environment that nurtures lifelong learning, critical thinking, and responsible citizenship.

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Planning and Design

The photo shows the side of The Rice School/La Escuela Rice during construction - March 2, 1994.

In designing The Rice School/La Escuela Rice, a planning committee of school and community representatives decided how best to create a school that would serve as a model for innovative, effective instruction and professional development for teachers throughout the area. After three years of careful planning, the result is an exciting new program that makes full use of available resources and challenges both students and teachers to reach their full academic potential.

The building itself is a model of architectural excellence, from its uniquely crafted structure to its highly functional interior. The two-story, 167,000-square-foot facility was custom-built with the school's mission in mind--to encourage learning in small clusters. The center core of the facility is the library, which is fully equipped with video discs, CD-ROMs, and the latest in computerized, on-line access to external data bases and other resources that stimulate research and problem-solving. The building also features project rooms and laboratories designed to engage students in science, art, computer-assisted learning, and music.

We are a part of the Central Region of Houston Independent School District and a part of the Lamar High School Feeder Pattern although many of our students have been accepted at specialized High Schools of choice in Houston.  Our alumni have gone on to graduate from some of the finest Colleges and Universities in the country.

Technology and Spanish

Technology: The Rice School/La Escuela Rice is very proud of our technology program.  We have four computer labs in addition to computers in each classroom.  Students begin using computers in Kindergarten with programs that promote the development of Math and Language Arts knowledge along with keyboard and mouse skills.  Throughout the years students become proficient users of programs such as:  Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  They will also learn email, web page authoring, and use of digital cameras and scanners.  Some classrooms also participate in learning digital video and editing to make movies which document their classroom projects.

In Middle School, we add creation of digital art and photo editing, more advanced Microsoft program features, and advanced classes for multimedia yearbook, programming, and video.  Our eighth graders leave The Rice School/La Escuela Rice well prepared to succeed in High School and the world.

Spanish Language:  In addition to Bilingual and ESL instruction we offer Spanish  Language classes to all students in every grade.  Students learn the language and the cultures & customs of other Spanish speaking communities.

Gifted and Talented Program

For our students identified as Gifted and Talented, The Rice School offers the inclusion model of the G/T program.  Students remain in the regular classroom and are provided with differentiated learning opportunities that include modifying the depth, complexity, and pacing of the general curriculum.  After-school courses are also offered to promote our G/T students pursuit of independent research.

Pre-Advanced Placement Program (Pre-AP) 6th-8th Grades:  We offer a challenging curriculum that is aligned with the College Board Advanced Placement course curriculum.  Advanced skills are introduced through traditional subject areas by inquiry and problem-based learning.  Research and analytical writing are emphasized in every core subject area.  We offer Pre-AP classes in English, Math, Spanish, Social Studies and Science (IPC).  High School credit can be obtained in Spanish, Algebra and IPC (Science).

Sports (Soccer, Volleyball, Basketball & Cheerleading)

Although our primary focus is academic excellence and our Magnet Specialties of Technology and Spanish.  It is important for students to have opportunities to excel in athletics as well.  Our girls and boys basketball and soccer teams offer our Middle School students a competitive arena to develop and refine their athletic skills.  The teams compete with other Middle Schools in the district.

The Schoolyard Habitat and Garden

Our students learn about the natural world around them without even leaving campus!  Funding was provided through a grant from Rice University, and our habitat was dedicated in May 2000.  Thirty thousand square feet of our campus grounds have been restored to a natural habitat highlighting three native Texan environments: woodland, wetland and prairie.  We also have over 720 square feet of raised beds that are being cultivated and maintained by our students, teachers and parents. ^TOP

Fine Arts

We offer Theater Arts, Music, Choir and Band.  We have 2nd and 3rd grade Orchestra, 4th  and 5th grade Honor's Choirs and a Middle School Choir and Band.  Last year, 21 students in our Middle School choir participated in the Solo and Ensemble competition and returned with 26 first division medals.  The treble choir received the highest award that a choir can receive in the state of Texas, a Sweepstakes Choir Award.  We also received a first division in concert and a first division in sight reading.  And, last but not least, 3 of our students auditioned and were accepted into the All-Region Choir. ^TOP

PTO: The Rice School PTO is committed to communication between the staff, teachers, and parents, support for the teachers in the classrooms and fundraising.  Meetings are held once a month and a speaker presents topics relevant to parents.  The PTO enjoys the camaraderie of working together with the teachers and staff. ^TOP

Counseling and Guidance

We have two full-time counselors to enhance the quality of education, promote achievement and foster a sense of self-worth for all students.  Our guidance department is dedicated to the following goals for our students, school and community: