James E. Taylor High School
Encyclopedia
James E. Taylor High School, also known as Katy Taylor High School, is a public high school
in Harris County, Texas
, in the city of Katy
. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is part of Katy Independent School District
. Established in 1979, Taylor High School is a Blue Ribbon School and is ranked among the best in graduation rates, SAT
scores, college admittance, and AP
scores in the nation. In 2011 the school was ranked the 259th 'Best High School in the Nation' - the only Katy ISD high school featured in the list - by Newsweek Magazine.
Starting off his career, he taught school in North Zulch and was a high school principal in Junction. He then moved to Katy, as superintendent, and remained so for 31 years. In the time frame which he was in charge, Katy ISD grew from a tiny Class A district to one which opened its second Class 5A high school in 1979, named James E. Taylor High School.
James Taylor was a member of Katy First United Methodist Church for 40 years and served as Chairman of the Official Board for two terms. As well, Taylor served 10 years on the Harris County Board of Education.
was written by Gail Land and composed by Don Elam:
was written by Gail Land and composed by Don Elam:
The following elementary schools feed into Taylor High School:
Taylor attendance boundaries were adjusted in 2010 so that all of McMeans Junior High School now attends Taylor High School.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Harris County, Texas
Harris County, Texas
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 4,092,459, White Americans made up 56.6% of Harris County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 33.0% of the population. Black Americans made up 18.9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.7% of Harris County's population...
, in the city of Katy
Katy, Texas
Katy is a city located in Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties in the U.S. state of Texas, within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area...
. The school, which serves grades 9 through 12, is part of Katy Independent School District
Katy Independent School District
The Katy Independent School District is a public school district based in Katy, Texas, United States. The district enrolls over 60,000 students and is currently rated as Recognized by the Texas Education Agency...
. Established in 1979, Taylor High School is a Blue Ribbon School and is ranked among the best in graduation rates, SAT
SAT
The SAT Reasoning Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. The SAT is owned, published, and developed by the College Board, a nonprofit organization in the United States. It was formerly developed, published, and scored by the Educational Testing Service which still...
scores, college admittance, and AP
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
scores in the nation. In 2011 the school was ranked the 259th 'Best High School in the Nation' - the only Katy ISD high school featured in the list - by Newsweek Magazine.
Namesake
James "Jimmy" Edgar Taylor (1912-1997) was born on October 25, 1912 in North Zulch, Texas. He attended Madisonville High School and received his Master's degree in education from Texas A&M University. Serving his country, he was a Lieutenant for four years during World War II.Starting off his career, he taught school in North Zulch and was a high school principal in Junction. He then moved to Katy, as superintendent, and remained so for 31 years. In the time frame which he was in charge, Katy ISD grew from a tiny Class A district to one which opened its second Class 5A high school in 1979, named James E. Taylor High School.
James Taylor was a member of Katy First United Methodist Church for 40 years and served as Chairman of the Official Board for two terms. As well, Taylor served 10 years on the Harris County Board of Education.
Alma mater
The Taylor High School alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
was written by Gail Land and composed by Don Elam:
- Taylor High, we pledge to thee
- Honor and fidelity,
- Both now and in the years to be,
- A never-failing loyalty.
- Your name we shall ever see
- Etched in our memory.
- So here's to you, the blue and white of
- Taylor High.
Fight song
The Taylor High School fight songFight song
A fight song is primarily an American and Canadian sports term, referring to a song associated with a team. In both professional and amateur sports, fight songs are a popular way for fans to cheer for their team...
was written by Gail Land and composed by Don Elam:
- Mustangs, Mustangs, stand by your name,
- Mustangs, Mustangs, fight for your fame.
- We've got the spirit in it,
- We've got the pep to win it.
- Taylor, blue and white.
- Oh! Yes, We'll
- Fight, fight, fight, with all our might
- For the Mustangs blue and white.
- So come on, team, do your best.
- You can stand the test, for
- Taylor, Taylor, better than the rest.
Academics
- 5A Academic Decathlon national champions: 1997, 2000
- 5A Academic Decathlon state champions: 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001
- National Blue Ribbon School: 1994, 1995, 1996
- State nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science TeachingPresidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science TeachingThe Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest recognition that a kindergarten through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, this program authorizes the President...
: 1999 - UIL 5A Academics State Champions: 2004, 2007
Arts and literature
- Regional Scholastic Writing Competition Gold Award: 2000 (2 winners)
- Regional Scholastic Writing Competition Pinson Award: 2000
- Texas Music Educators Association High School Treble Honor Choir: 2000
- Texas State Thespian Playwriting Contest winner: 2005
- UIL 5A Solo-Ensemble state champions: 2000
- UIL One-Act Play state champions: 1982, 1991
Athletics
- UIL 5A soccer state champions (women): 2006
- UIL 5A swimming and diving state champions (men): 2001, 2003
- UIL 5A tennis state team champions: 1997, 1998, 2002
- UIL 5A tennis state doubles champions (women): 2008, 2011
- UIL 5A wrestling state champions (women): 2006
Business
- Business Professionals of AmericaBusiness Professionals of AmericaBusiness Professionals of America is a career and technical student organization that is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. BPA aims to develop leadership, academic, and technological skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community...
national champion: 1998 - Business Professionals of AmericaBusiness Professionals of AmericaBusiness Professionals of America is a career and technical student organization that is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. BPA aims to develop leadership, academic, and technological skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community...
regional champion: 1998 - Business Professionals of AmericaBusiness Professionals of AmericaBusiness Professionals of America is a career and technical student organization that is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. BPA aims to develop leadership, academic, and technological skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community...
state champion: 1998 - Future Business Leaders Association state champion: 1999
Debate
- Greenhill Classic national champions: 1996
- National Forensic LeagueNational Forensic LeagueThe National Forensic League is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking and interpretation. NFL is the America's oldest and largest...
National Speech and Debate TournamentNational Speech and Debate TournamentThe National Speech and Debate Tournament is a week-long high school championship forensics competition hosted by the National Forensic League...
qualifier: 2004-Present - UIL 5A debate state champions: 1995, 1996, 2007
- 17 TOC Bids 2009-2011
Engineering and science
- American Computer Science League - International Competition First Place: 2006
- Health Occupations Students of America state champion: 1989
- HP Code Wars Champions: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
- Texas A&M Regional Science Bowl Champions: 2006
- UIL Science 5A State Champions: 2004
- UIL Computer Science 5A State Champions: 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007
Arts and entertainment
- Kimberly CaldwellKimberly CaldwellKimberly Ann Caldwell is an American singer, actress, and television hostess, from Katy, Texas who was the seventh place finalist on the second season of American Idol. She used to work as an entertainment correspondent and hosted various shows on the TV Guide Network...
- American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
contestant, TV personality - Janeane GarofaloJaneane GarofaloJaneane Garofalo is an American stand-up comedian, actress, political activist and writer. She is the former co-host on the now defunct Air America Radio's The Majority Report. Garofalo continues to circulate regularly within New York City's local comedy and performance art scene.-Early...
- actress, comedienne, former radio show personality on Air America RadioAir America RadioAir America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk programming... - Kady Malloy - American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
contestant, season 7 - Renée O'ConnorReneé O'ConnorRenée O'Connor is an American actress, producer and director best known for playing the role of Gabrielle on the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess from 1995 to 2001.-Early career:...
- actress, "Gabrielle" on Xena: Warrior PrincessXena: Warrior PrincessXena: Warrior Princess is an American–New Zealand supernatural fantasy adventure series that aired in syndication from September 4, 1995 until June 18, 2001....
Athletics
- Trevor EndersTrevor EndersTrevor Hale Enders is a former Major League Baseball player. He was a pitcher who batted right-handed, threw left-handed, and is 6 foot 1. He attended college at Houston Baptist University. Trevor played one season in the Majors as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the season...
- former Major League Baseball pitcher, Tampa Bay RaysTampa Bay RaysThe Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field... - Eugene EspineliGeno EspineliEugene Macalalag "Geno" Espineli is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the San Francisco Giants organization. Espineli is of Filipino ancestry and played baseball at the University of Texas and Texas Christian University...
- Major League Baseball pitcher, San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division.... - Dallas GriffinDallas GriffinDallas Griffin is a resident of Oakdale on the American TV soap opera, As the World Turns.- Character's Background:Dallas Griffin, nephew of attorney Jessica Griffin, transferred to the Oakdale police department from Chicago and immediately came face to face with one of his first cases...
- Winner of the 2007 Draddy TrophyDraddy TrophyThe William V. Campbell trophy, formerly the Vincent dePaul Draddy Trophy, is a trophy awarded by the National Football Foundation that is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance... - John Meloan - Major League Baseball pitcher, Oakland A's
- William Jimmy "scarra" Li - professional e-sports player on Team Dignitas
Newsweek rankings
Newsweek Magazine annually compiles a list of "America's Top Public High Schools," and Taylor has been listed since its inception in 2003.- 2011: 259
- 2010: 1,040
- 2009: 1,116
- 2008: 771
- 2007: 798
- 2006: 641
- 2005: 479
- 2004: Newsweek did not compile a list
- 2003: 377
Feeder patterns
The following junior high schools feed into Taylor High School:- Memorial Parkway Junior High
- McMeans Junior High
- West Memorial Junior High (a very small portion)
The following elementary schools feed into Taylor High School:
- Nottingham Country Elementary
- Pattison Elementary
- Memorial Parkway Elementary
- Exley Elementary (partial)
- Jeanette Hayes Elementary
- Wolfe Elementary (partial)
- West Memorial Elementary (a very small portion)
Taylor attendance boundaries were adjusted in 2010 so that all of McMeans Junior High School now attends Taylor High School.
Enrollment trends
- 2011: 2,750
- 2010: 2,693
- 2009: 2,522
- 2008: 2,692
- 2007: 2,734
- 2006: 2,828
- 2005: 2,769
- 2004: 2,650
- 2003: 2,558
- 2002: 2,558
- 2001: 2,601
- 2000: 2,786
- 1999: 3,119
- 1998: 2,721
- 1997: 2,475
- 1996: 2,223
- 1995: 2,223
- 1994: 1,848
- 1993: 1,662
- 1992: 1,531
- 1991: 1,434
- 1990: 1,338
- 1989: 1,274
- 1988: 1,218
- 1987: 1,486