“A phoenix rising from the ashes” That’s how many describe North Forest High School. This impressive building stands tall on Mesa Drive. It’s a testament to resilience. North Forest High School wasn’t always this magnificent.
Before 2008 there were two separate high schools Forest Brook and M B Smiley. They merged to create North Forest. The original location was the Forest Brook campus. But Hurricane Ike damaged it badly in 2008. The school relocated to the former Smiley campus. That campus had been built way back in 1953. The history of this school is layered. It reflects the challenges and triumphs of its community.
The North Forest Independent School District ran the school until 2013. Then the Houston Independent School District took over. Things changed dramatically. All the teachers were replaced. The school received a 1.6 million dollar investment. Improvements were immediate. Restrooms got soap paper towels and toilet paper. Hallway loitering and fires in restrooms stopped. The school’s transformation wasn’t just physical.
In 2014 a journalist Jennifer Radcliffe wrote about North Forest’s struggles. The school had a different principal each year. Colleges wouldn’t recruit from there. Organizations refused field trip requests. The story paints a picture of a school in crisis. The HISD takeover brought hope.
The current building opened in 2018. It’s a 59.5 million dollar state-of-the-art facility. It boasts flexible learning areas a modern dining hall and career training spaces. There’s even a unique indoor running track a first for HISD. The building itself is inspiring.
The school’s story isn’t just about buildings and budgets. It’s about the people. The students teachers and community members. They’ve faced incredible adversity. Yet they’ve persevered. North Forest High School is more than a school. It’s a symbol of hope. It stands as a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished through determination resilience and community support. The school serves a diverse student body. Many students are economically disadvantaged. In 2014 many were pregnant mothers or under correctional supervision. Despite the challenges North Forest continues to strive for excellence. It’s a story of rebuilding and renewal a testament to the human spirit. This building is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a story waiting to be told. A story of struggle and success.