With a big commitment to igniting a lifelong love of learning in a small, tightly knit community, Willis Independent School District (WISD) serves children from The Woodlands Hills. Students attend Meador Elementary for kindergarten through fifth grade, where they build a strong education foundation before proceeding to Brabham Middle School for grades sixth through eighth. Both Meador and Brabham schools connect to The Woodlands Hills’ community from the pathway at Teralyn Woods Park. Willis High School, a few minutes’ drive from the community, is located on FM 830, just east of I-45. All schools in the district are committed to educational excellence as noted by their mission statement to function as One Team, One Purpose, developing in each student the knowledge, skills and behaviors essential for life-long learning and for productive, responsible citizenship.
Using the motto ‘The Greatest School on Earth,’ Meador Elementary School encourages students to always perform to the best of their abilities. In addition to their regular curriculum where literacy is a main focus for learning, teachers organize a variety of clubs that students can attend after the school day including National Elementary Honor Society, Student Council, Honor Choir, Science Club, Robotics, Rodeo Art, Recycling Club, Zero Hour PE, Scrabble Club, and the Garden club. Providing after school enrichment enables students to explore and expand their knowledge base.
Brabham Middle School students may be enrolled in advanced math and science classes and the curriculum gives them the opportunity to preview the district’s Career and Technology program (CTE) offered in high school. The full-year program enables students to explore the curriculum in 16 units, some of which include flight and drone technology, health careers, culinary arts, and computer aided drafting and design. These work-based units give students an opportunity to discover their interests and skills prior to entering high school and the CTE curriculum.
Students graduating from Willis High School are required to demonstrate college, career, and military readiness. Students are supported by teachers and counselors as they navigate testing and college requirements. For a small town, high school seniors garnered an impressive $7.5M in student scholarships last year, which includes the annual scholarship from The Woodlands Hills’ developer Howard Hughes. “For a class of 550, that’s a really big deal,” noted Jamie Fails, Director of Communications, Willis ISD.
Thanks to a partnership with Lone Star College, Willis High School has a strong Dual Credit program, allowing students to take courses from professors that earn them both high school and college credit. Many students start college with 30 or 40 hours of college credit already behind them.
“Our focus is on developing well-rounded students who are ready for college or the workforce,” informed Fails. “Students are highly employable after going through the CTE track in our secondary schools. We often see our students use their CTE certification to support themselves financially as they attend college.”
A sense of pride is threaded throughout the school and community with students embracing each other’s accomplishments, regardless of the activity. You see it when the stands are filled with fans – all dressed in purple – supporting their fellow Wildkats. One example shared by a recent scholarship recipient occurred when Willis High School Band and fans traveled to cheer on the school’s football team as they progressed through the playoffs during the 2023 season. Then, when the marching band progressed to the state University Interscholastic League (UIL) marching competition, who was in the stands cheering for them? You guessed it; it was the football team! School pride helps to build bonds that strengthen relationships which encourage everyone to do their best.
Jamie Fails suggests that newcomers to the community visit the schools to see them in action. “Parents can set up a tour with the school principal to see for themselves the active learning environments our students are immersed in within our schools,” she said. Learn more about the schools serving The Woodlands Hills by visiting willisisd.org
