Kashmere High School Honors History While Building Future Leaders

Named for the vibrant Kashmere Gardens neighborhood that surrounds it, Kashmere High School holds a legacy as rich as the community itself. Established in 1957, the campus has long stood as a symbol of pride and resilience for Northeast Houston.

The school is currently undergoing a transformation defined by academic growth. The school, currently a B-rated campus, has set its sights on achieving an A rating under the motto: Lead, learn, and achieve.

"Kashmere HS is a unique place to be," says Principal Brandon Dickerson. "Our goal is to create leaders."

Academic Excellence in the Classroom

A major driver of Kashmere’s recent success is its dedicated teaching staff and the implementation of the New Education System (NES) model. Sydney Edwards, an Algebra teacher who began her career as a teacher’s assistant in 2023, exemplifies this growth.

Edwards was recently honored as Teacher of the Year and her students achieved an 85% passing rate on the STAAR exam. She credits the structural support of the campus for her rapid development from assistant to high-performing classroom leader.

"I like to say that I am the model," says Edwards. "Everything that they have instilled in me from day one I have been able to build and just get better and better."

Expanding Horizons: Student Opportunity Programs

Kashmere has established a robust network of partnerships designed to expose students to careers in agriculture, business, and leadership. These opportunities include:

• G-Unity: A co-op partnership with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
• Girls Inc.: A mentoring program fostering leadership skills in young women
• Prairie View A&M Partnership: New opportunities in agriculture and family/consumer sciences
• Miles Ahead Scholars: Sponsored by State Senator Boris Miles, this program focuses on college readiness for Black and Latino male students

Through the Miles Ahead Scholars program, students access "Flo" (Fantastic Learning Opportunities), which funds travel for educational experiences. Senior Jeremy Stewart traveled to Yale University through the program.

"I chose a course called solving global challenges, cause I feel like my passion is to help the world in any way I can," says Stewart. "So with that, I learned about carbon emissions and building infrastructure... I was able to meet many people. It was very diverse."

Starting next school year, Kashmere students will have access to all 16 expanded programs of study offered at the Barbara Jordan Career Center (BJCC):

• IT: Cyber Security and Networking
• Engineering: Manufacturing, Drone, and Robotics (to be offered starting the 2027-28 school year) 
• Health: Diagnostic and Therapeutics, Health Informatics, and Pharmacy 
• Human Services: Culinary and Teaching and Training 
• Trades: Automotive, Construction, Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding

To read more about the expansion programs at Barbara Jordan Career Center click here.

The Arts and "Ram-ily" Spirit

While the Mighty Ram Marching Band may be smaller in size than in previous decades, current students emphasize the quality and impact of the ensemble.

Senior Eric Dalcour, a percussionist who has performed with the band since his freshman year, notes that the band has been central to his high school experience as he prepares to attend Texas Southern University.

"We try our best, and what I have seen from all four years from this band in particular, it’s great, even practice is great," says Dalcour. "Excitement, joy, and the fact that I get to go to a football game for free."

Collaboration is also key within the fine arts department. In a recent project, theater, band, dance, and visual arts students collaborated to construct a "Selfie Museum." The interactive art gallery, which featured a Barbie theme, allowed students to hone in on a single creative idea to produce a professional-grade installation.

Campus Culture and Future Growth

To reinforce positive behavior and academic achievement, the administration utilizes Ram Bucks and Content Bucks. 

Students can earn this campus currency to purchase items from the school store, which is stocked with high-end clothing and goods donated by alumni.

Looking ahead to the next school year, the campus is preparing to break ground on a new grant-funded mini-pitch soccer field. The administration was involved in the location and design process, with Principal Dickerson noting that the facility comes with a promise to pursue a state soccer championship once completed. 

From the classroom to the stage to the playing field, Kashmere High School continues to honor its past while actively constructing a bright future for the next generation of Fighting Rams.

Watch the full Campus Close-Up series featuring Kashmere High School below.