When opening its doors in 2011, George H.W. Bush New Tech Odessa High School (NTO) paved a way in providing an innovative student-centered approach to teaching and learning. Through an application process, NTO accepts learners from all local middle schools, private schools, home schools, and other middle school options. The expectation at NTO is that all learners are enrolled in Pre AP, AP, or Dual Credit core classes regardless of their varying backgrounds and learning needs. All learners are expected to follow a four-year plan that highlights and emphasizes college and career readiness, which includes AVID, Reading Apps, College Entrance Exam Prep, Digital Media, and Project Based Research Design (Senior Internship and Capstone Project). NTO also reinforces Core Values of Trust, Respect, and Responsibility in daily conversations and interactions.
The campus culture is systematically supported by investing time and effort in hosting Culture Week, Culture Days, and other efforts that create a sense of belonging for all learners. Culture Week occurs during the first week of school to inform, engage, and connect all grade levels and staff to project-based learning, core values, school-wide learning outcomes, and team building. Culture Days occur twice a year to reconnect and reengage all learners and staff to campus culture and expectations. This effort results in an ideal graduate who collaboratively contributes to creating a campus culture of college and career readiness.
Regardless of barriers, learning gaps, and varying demographics, NTO has demonstrated success in closing performance gaps, post-secondary readiness, and notable academic achievements in English Language Arts & Reading and Social Studies. This has been accomplished by a campus wide effort to reinforce literacy through College Readiness Assessments (CRAs) and writing across all content areas. During their Senior year, learners in their Project Based Research Design course complete a Senior Internship placement with a career professional of their choice and expand their learning in a Capstone Project that contributes to the community.
At the end of the school year, learners host a culminating event, Senior Symposium. At the Senior Symposium, learners present their learning journey and reflect on the skills learned and obtained at NTO and in collaboration with the community. NTO reinforces the need to prepare all learners for college and career. The evidence is shown through NTO’s yearly 100% college acceptance rate, dual credit completion rates, and success on state assessment exams.
