exemplifies the attitude and the environment of the school. Enormous change and improvement ranging from academics to facilities characterize the key features of the Hempstead School District. The district is conservative in its approach to learning with a strong emphasis on basic skills, however, innovative and progressive methods of instruction and curriculum have produced powerful results in a short period of time. A great amount of enthusiasm and excitement exists at this time with the many positive changes which are occuring in the Hempstead Schools.

Encompassing 190square miles, the Hempstead District has one elementary school (PK-5), one middle school (6-8), and one high school (9-12) and with the passage of a bond issue in 1996, the district has undertaken an aggressive building and renovation program. A new middle school was completed in the summer of 1997 and extensive renovations to the high school and elementary school were completed the following year. A new track facility was also completed in 1998 and current planning is underway for a new atheletic stadium.

Hempstead landscape

Hempstead is a community of approximately 3500 people located 50 miles west of Houston. The community has a friendly, small town atmosphere, yet, all of the conveniences of a big city are just a short drive away. Nature has provided a beautiful landscape for the area that is particularly known for its abundance of wildflowers. An advantage to the school district is that Hempstead is still a town which supports local education with many of our students representing 2nd and 3rd generation families that have resided in Hempstead for many years. The diverse population of the community also offers rich cultural experiences for students and staff alike.