Katy's seventh junior high is named in honor of Garland McMeans, a long-time administrator in the Katy district. Mr. McMeans, the first principal of Taylor High School and West Memorial Junior High, was a World War II veteran who served our country and valued patriotism. As you enter McMeans, you will find the main hallway adorned with vast, framed American and Texas flags that set the tone for a school based in solid values and the belief that each child has the ability to be successful.

McMeans is committed to excellence, providing a rigorous academic curriculum to meet the needs of all students. Academic, Pre-AP and Gifted classes are offered in each core curriculum area. Many elective classes, including beginning instruction as well as advanced performing groups in band, choir, orchestra, theatre and art, are offered to meet the diverse interests of McMeans students. A strong technology curriculum is offered, as well as family and consumer science classes, which focuses on personal responsibility and leadership skills.

McMeans is also committed to providing students many opportunities, both academic and extracurricular, to help them become productive and responsible members of society. The school's athletic teams have achieved outstanding success, with seventh and eighth grade students competing in volleyball, football,
basketball, track, tennis and golf. In addition, there is a comprehensive intramural sports program, which encourages all students to participate in supervised sports, competitions and fitness activities. Extracurricular activities also include Destination ImagiNation, Academic Pentathlon, Student Council and National Junior Honor Society.

An active PTA and a well developed volunteer program support McMeans. More than 400 volunteers provide support in a wide variety of ways. Parents wishing to volunteer will be able to find an area where their skills are needed and appreciated.

Awards and Honors

• Named to Texas Monthly's "Best Public Schools" list, 2006, 2007
• 3 Grand Recognition qualifiers and 27 State Recognition qualifiers, Duke University Talent Identification Program, 2006
• Regonal Scholastic Writing Contest Silver Key, 2007
• Summer 2007 Lone Star Leadership Academy participants
• Academic Pentathlon State Champions, 2005
• 2 regional Silver Key Scholastic Art Awards, 3 Gold Key winners; 1 national Gold Key winner, 2004; 1 regional Silver Key, 2006
• Student art selected for the Texas Art Education Association's "Youth Art Month Show" at the State Capitol, 2001 and 2006; also one of 10 chosen for Governor's Art Award, 2001 and 2006
• PTA Reflections state finalist, 2008
• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Contest, 12 awards including 3 1st-place selections
• 6 Junior VASE art awards, 2008
• Symphonic and concert bands received Sweepstakes Awards at UIL concert and sight-reading contest, 2005-2008
• Advanced, Camerata, and Philharmonic orchestras received Sweepstakes Awards at UIL Competition and superior in concert, 2005-2008
• District athletic championships in volleyball, 2001, 2003, 2005; football, 2000, 2001, 2002, girls' basketball, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 (3 teams); girls' golf, 2001; tennis, 2001, 2002, 2006; girls' track, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008 runner-up
• National Award of Merit, National PTA Reflections contest, 2004
• 60+ Gold Meals, solo and ensemble contest, 2008
• "Best in Class" 6th grade Treble Choir; superior and excellent ratings in UIL Concert and Sight-Reading, 2008
• 3rd place sweepstakes in October Speech Tournament ,2004; 2nd place, Katy High Speech Tournament, 2008
• First place girls' golf student, second place boys' golf student, 2006
• Finalists in the 2006 Student Science Fiction and Fantasy Contest, World Science Fiction Convention, 2006
• Finalist in the Farrington Foreign Language Competition for Spanish, 2008

School Report Card Data

2008-09 TAKS Scores*

• Reading: 100%
• Math: 99%
• Writing: 100%
• Social Studies: 100%
• Science: 96%

* Scores include the Texas Projection Measure (TPM), which is used to determine campus ratings.

2009 Accountability Rating: Exemplary