Building Momentum: Academics, Arts, and Innovation at Westside High School

Westside is fueling a new kind of academic momentum, blending rigorous student-centered academics with hands-on Career and Technical Education (CTE). From the classroom to the kitchen to the studio, the focus is on a high level of accountability where teachers and students work side-by-side to track success in real-time.

We are trying to make sure that we are coaching in the moment—holding students accountable, teachers are tracking our students, and students are tracking their progress, says Westside High School Principal Tyrone Davis.

Comprehensive Career and Technical Education

Westside High School offers a wide range of Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Magnet programs designed to set students up for post-secondary success. Meg Willett, the school’s magnet and early college coordinator, noted that the comprehensive nature of the school allows for a variety of specialized pathways.

Featured magnet and CTE programs include:

• Audio and Video Production
• Engineering and IT (Networking, Computer Science)
• Health Science
• Culinary Arts
• Graphic Design
• Business, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship
• Law and Public Service

In the Audio and Video Production classes, students utilize industry-standard equipment to learn hands-on skills. Teacher Edward Reddics explained that students are currently working on podcast series and utilizing green screen technology.

"I’m trying to teach them skills you can do right now that you can translate over to your life," Reddics said. However, the curriculum begins with foundational basics, including camera composition, safety, and software proficiency in programs like Premiere Pro on iMacs. Senior Grant Nguyen, who plans to further his studies in this pathway, noted that the program focuses on "understanding the different elements of creating projects and just working together."

Explore more of HISD’s CTE pathways by clicking here.

Recognizing Leadership in Special Education

The school’s commitment to student support is highlighted by the work of Ralen Tupaz, who was recognized last year as both the Westside "Teacher of the Year" and the "West Division Special Education Teacher of the Year."

Tupaz has taught Life Skills at Westside for four years, focusing on functional academics, daily living, and employability. "We really want to prepare our life-skills students for life after high school," Tupaz stated.

Collaboration Through the Arts

The spotlight at Westside shines brightly on its performing arts programs, which offer both foundational education and high-profile opportunities. The theater department provides a space for students like Junior Nikolas Ortiz and Senior Moriah Ford to explore everything from technical production to acting and singing, fostering a deep sense of community.

The school’s dance program is equally thriving, featuring two distinct, award-winning organizations:

• Inertia Dance Company: Established in 2000, this program focuses on the total development of the student. Westside offers four levels of dance (Introduction, Intermediate, Intermediate/Advanced, and Advanced). While the first three levels focus on technique—including ballet, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary—the Inertia and Inertia 2 companies are performance-based and require an audition each April.
• The Pride Dance Team: A nationally recognized competitive team that performs at football and basketball games. Beyond local competitions, the team has performed on major stages, including the Super Bowl with Lady Gaga and halftime shows for the Houston Texans and Rockets. While maintaining a heavy rehearsal schedule, the majority of the team also excels academically, taking college-level courses.

Through its diverse academic and extracurricular offerings, Westside High School continues to provide students with the resources to explore their interests while developing real-world skills.

Check out our Campus Close-Up: Westside High School playlist below to see more about Westside’s academic goals, CTE pathways, and fine arts programs.