Kerr High School - Houston, TX

Kerr High School in the Alief School District, Houston, Texas, is a Title I public school of choice with the motto: "Unique by design, Different by choice." Students attending Kerr anticipate an education that prepares them for college. This creates a focused college-bound culture where students enjoy having ownership of their learning experience and freedom to make choices that will lead them successfully through high school. The mission of freedom and responsibility drives the daily activities of the building.

Kerr's uniqueness is found in its self-directed learning environment. Course material is organized in learning guides and presented via an online learning management system that allows students the freedom to move through a course at a pace appropriate for their level of understanding. This format allows teachers to spend class time individually interacting with students who request additional assistance. Course activities emphasize group and individual study and encourage the development of personal responsibility by meeting preset deadlines. Most subjects areas are taught in large academic centers with peers from all grades and course levels. Group seminars are provided for direct instruction; however, most of the time, students work individually or in small groups coached by teachers and peers.

This unique environment prepares students for their futures. Of the 92% of graduates enrolling in a post-secondary institution immediately after high school, 96% enroll the following year, resulting in a college persistence rate approximately 20% higher than the national average.