Community Newsletter 1/11/2026

As we move into the spring semester, there’s a lot of great momentum across Pearland High School—from academic planning and testing preparation to celebrations of student achievement and opportunities still ahead. This newsletter highlights several important updates, including Academic Planning Night, counseling supports, spring testing dates, student recognitions, PTA events, and ways we can support one another as we head toward the finish line of the year.

A quick but important update on final exam exemptions:

Students remain eligible for exemptions if they meet all previously communicated requirements. The only change for this semester is attendance—students must have four (4) or fewer absences to qualify. Absences related to school-sponsored activities, including athletics and fine arts events, do not count against exemptions. Our goal is clarity, consistency, and making sure students and families understand exactly what is required.

Principal for the day:

Attendance continues to be a major focus for us, and this semester we’re adding a little fun to the push. To encourage strong habits, we’ll be selecting a “Principal of the Day” after the next progress report. One student will be randomly chosen from those who have perfect attendance, no missing assignments, and no discipline referrals. On that day, we’ll officially trade places. I’ll follow their schedule, and they’ll step into my job. It’s a fun way to celebrate responsibility, consistency, and showing up every day ready to learn.

We know that attendance, effort, and engagement are powerful predictors of success not just in school, but beyond it. Thank you for partnering with us to reinforce those expectations at home. When students show up consistently and take ownership of their learning, great things happen.

Our cafeteria have recently updated how students are served, with the goal of improving both variety and efficiency. Students will notice additional entrée options and clearer lines that help move everyone through more smoothly. These changes are designed to give students more choice while also reducing wait times. We’re excited about these improvements and appreciate your continued feedback as we refine the experience.

We’re proud to share that Pearland High School has been named to the 2026 Advanced Placement® (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning a Silver designation. This recognition highlights schools that expand access to AP coursework while supporting students in earning college credit.

At PHS, 62% of seniors took at least one AP exam, 45% earned a score of 3 or higher, and 29% took five or more AP exams. These results place Pearland High School among some of the most successful schools nationwide and reflect our commitment to rigorous learning and college readiness for all students.

As we begin course selection for the upcoming school year, families and students are encouraged to review all course offerings and select classes that align with student interests, strengths, and future goals. Those choices remain an important part of the process and help ensure students are actively engaged in shaping their own academic pathway. Access the course selection handbook here: https://www.pearlandisd.org/courseselection

This year, we are enhancing course selection by making sure that every student meets individually with a counselor to review their selected courses. Both students and counselors have consistently asked for more face-to-face time, and these provide that opportunity. During these conversations, counselors will help students think through options, ask questions, and make informed decisions while guaranteeing course selections support graduation requirements and post-secondary plans.

For students interested in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, we also want families to know that cost should not be a barrier. The Northern Brazoria County Education Alliance (NBCEA) CTE Student Mini Grant can help cover expenses such as certification fees, testing costs, project materials, equipment, and uniforms. This makes it possible for students to explore a course or pathway they may have previously hesitated to choose due to financial considerations or other extenuating circumstances. The grant application can be downloaded here.

Together, thoughtful course selection, meaningful counselor conversations, and access to financial support allow students to confidently explore new opportunities, take appropriate academic risks, and build a plan that prepares them for success both at Pearland High School and beyond.

This Week

Tuesday - Girls Soccer vs Alvin @ 7:30 PM

Friday - Boys Soccer vs Manvel @ 7:30

Saturday - Boys Basketball vs South Houston @ 1:00 PM

Next Week

Tuesday - Boys Soccer vs Dawson (At Dawson) @ 5:30 PM

Tuesday - Girls Soccer vs Dawson (At Dawson) @ 7:30 PM

Friday - Boys Soccer vs Dobie @ 7:30 PM

Saturday - Girls Basketball vs Alvin @ 1:00 PM

Pearland High School's production of Seussical the Musical starts in two weeks. Be sure to get your tickets now before they are all gone!

Only 600 yearbooks remain for the 2025–2026 school year. Yearbooks are priced at $100, with an optional home delivery upgrade. Orders can be placed through the PHS website or Jostens.com.

Families may also purchase Yearbook Dedications or Recognition Ads, with a firm deadline of May 1. Space is limited, and late submissions cannot be accepted. All ad creation and purchases are completed online, and families may return to edit their designs as often as needed before the deadline.

Senior Portraits:

The last opportunities for senior portraits for the Class of 2026 are quickly approaching. The final deadline to take senior portraits at the studio is February 1 for the 2026 Yearbook.

Senior Portraits taken after the deadline will not be included in the 2026 Yearbook.

Final Dates At PHS

• January 14 - Schedule Full
• January 22 - Schedule Open

Free and paid appointments are still available at both studio locations. Visit cady.com to schedule all appointments.

📚 The Princeton Review Webinars

We have partnered with The Princeton Review to provide Academic and College Admission webinars for our PHS families. These are Free Virtual events for our families throughout the year.

• January 14th 6pm - 6 Most missed math questions

• February 18th 6pm - SAT Strategy Session

• March 4th 6pm - Study Skills 101

• April 8th 6pm - Inside the Admissions Committee

Membership

Join the PTA today! Join: Join PTA!

• Seniors: Only 7 senior signs are still available.Purchase Here: Purchase Senior Signs

• Students: All student members will receive special treats throughout the school year!

🌮 1/12/26 Gringos Spirit Day

Take the night off from cooking and support PHS PTA!

Stay Connected

Follow the Pearland High School PTA on social media to celebrate students and stay updated on events:

• Facebook Page
• Pearland High School PTA Newsletter

The 2026 Local Scholarship Packet is now available online. Students can access the fillable application and review submission requirements using this link or through the PHS Counselors website.

Important reminders:

• All materials are due to the Counseling Office by February 6, 2026, at 2:45 PM

• No email submissions and no front desk drop-offs will be accepted

• Many scholarships require a counselor letter of recommendation, so starting early is essential

January’s Character Strong focus is Perseverance—the ability to keep going even when progress feels slow or challenges arise. This theme reinforces the idea that success is built through resilience, effort, and determination over time.

Families are also invited to Coffee with the Counselors on January 15, 2026, at 9:00 AM, focusing on Self-Care for Caregivers. Additionally, the district-wide #iwillASK suicide-prevention event will be held on January 22, 2026, offering student presentations, resources, and community support. These opportunities reflect our commitment to caring for the whole child—and the whole family.

Pearland High School’s Academic Decathlon team is consistently ranked among the top two to three teams in the state, and their success is built not only on student dedication, but also on strong community support. We are currently looking for a small number of volunteers to help judge at one of our upcoming Academic Decathlon competitions.

The Regional Academic Decathlon competition will take place January 23–24 at Clear Lake High School, and for the first time ever, all three district high schools will compete at the same regional event. Volunteers are needed to help score essays, speeches, and interviews, and no prior experience is required. All judges will receive training, and past volunteers have shared that the experience is both rewarding and inspiring as they work with some of the brightest students in our area.

Essay Scoring

• Saturday, January 17, 2026

• 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

• Pearland High School Searcy Library

• Training and norming will be provided at the start

• Breakfast, a boxed lunch, and a $50 stipend are provided

Speech & Interview Judging

• Friday, January 23

• 5:00–8:30 PM at Clear Lake High School

• Training from 5:00–6:00 PM

• Boxed dinner provided

Volunteers must be available for the full time block of the event they choose. If you are interested in supporting our students by serving as a judge or essay grader, please complete the volunteer form. All volunteers will be contacted in advance with details regarding parking, arrival, and what to bring.

The second semester moves quickly, and how students begin often sets the tone for the months ahead. Starting strong, staying organized, and planning ahead for major tests helps reduce stress and allows students to focus on learning rather than last minute pressure. These upcoming tests and events give students the opportunity to demonstrate their growth and preparation while building confidence for what comes next.

• English I Field Test: February 4

• TELPAS Testing: March 18–20

• SAT: March 25

• STAAR ELA I & II: April 8

• STAAR Biology & U.S. History: April 15

• Prom: April 18

• STAAR Algebra: April 21

• SAT (SAT Prep): April 29

• AP Testing Window: May 4–15

• Graduation: May 22

Encouraging consistent attendance, steady study habits, and open conversations about goals can make a meaningful difference as students prepare for these milestones.