Considering how Barbara Jordan High School transformed over the years is remarkable. Initially known as Houston Technical Institute, the school underwent a significant change in 1979. It was then renamed Barbara Jordan High School for Careers. This renaming honored Barbara Charlene Jordan. She was the first Southern black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Barbara Jordan High School started with two magnet programs. One program supported students entering the workforce after graduation. The other program catered to high school-aged deaf students. The school’s mascot was the Jaguars. Its colors were blue and silver.
In 2015, a decision was made. Barbara Jordan High School would transition from a career magnet school. It would become a regional career hub. The school no longer accepted full-time enrolled students. The school provides real-world experiences in various professions. These include Auto/Diesel and Audio/Visual. There is also Construction Management and Cosmetology. STEM which means Electronics and Welding are also taught.
Students spend half their day at their home school. They take required academic classes there. The other half is spent at Barbara Jordan. Here, students participate in a career curriculum.
Each school year after 2014-2015, Barbara Jordan lost a grade level. The last class to graduate from Barbara Jordan High School for Careers was the Class of 2018.
Students from several high schools had priority access to Jordan’s programs. These schools included Furr, Heights and Sam Houston. Kashmere and Northside were also included. North Forest, Washington, and Wheatley high schools benefitted as well. Students took core courses at their home campus. They then went to Barbara Jordan for specialized programming. This programming focused on industrial construction and health professions.
A new Barbara Jordan building was constructed by 2018. Cadence McShane Construction Company completed Barbara Jordan High School for Careers. The project involved constructing a two-story technical high school. The project pursued LEED Silver certification for Houston ISD.
The first phase involved building the new high school next to the existing one. This technical school features lab space for various programs. These included Auto/Diesel and Audio/Visual. There was also Construction Management, Cosmetology, STEM, and Welding. A human science wing was added for allied health and medical biotech. Classrooms were added for video production. The second phase involved demolishing the old high school. Additional parking and site work were provided.
During Black History Month, Barbara Jordan’s impact is remembered. She had a tremendous impact on the local community. She was an active member of the debate team in high school. Debate helped her discover her powerful voice and passion for politics. She became a Texas senator in 1966. She was the first African-American state senator in the U.S. since 1883. In 1974, her impeachment speech contributed to President Nixon’s resignation.