Sterling High School (Baytown, Texas)

Ross S. Sterling High School is a public high school located in Baytown, Texas and classified as a 6A school by the UIL. Sterling is a part of the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District which covers southeastern Harris County and eastern Chambers County. The school was built in 1966 to accommodate the growing population of Baytown. It is named after Ross S. Sterling, co-founder of Humble Oil (now part of ExxonMobil) and 31st Governor of Texas. The campus has over 400,000 square feet (37,000 m²) and is built on 86.32 acres (349,300 m²).

Ross S. Sterling High School
Address
300 West Baker Road, Baytown, TX 77521 Baytown , Harris County , Texas 77521-2301 United States
Coordinates	29.77125°N 94.9695°W / 29.77125; -94.9695
Information
Other name	Baytown Sterling
School type	Public high school
Motto	Success for all students
Established	1966
School district	Goose Creek Independent School District
Principal	Nathan Chaddick
Teaching staff	140.92 (FTE)[1]
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	2,130 (2023–2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	15.11[1]
Color(s)	Royal Blue, Silver & White
Athletics	Yes
Athletics conference	UIL Class 6A
Sports	Yes
Mascot	Ranger
Yearbook	The Governor
Website	schools.gccisd.net/page/rsshs.home

In 2015, the school was rated "Met Standard" by the Texas Education Agency.^[2]

Sections of the city of Baytown are zoned to Sterling High School. Previously, sections of Highlands were until the Goose Creek Memorial High School was built in 2008.

Demographics

The 2014 School Membership Report shows that Sterling's ethnic breakdown includes:

• 1,237 (51%) Hispanic students
• 679 (28%) White students
• 412 (17%) African-American students
• 97 (4%) Asian-American, Indian, and other students

Feeder patterns

Elementary schools that feed into Sterling include: Dr. Johnny T. Clark, Jr. Elementary, David Crockett Elementary, Harlem Elementary, Stephen F. Austin Elementary, James Bowie Elementary

The middle schools that feed into Sterling are: Cedar Bayou Junior, George H. Gentry Junior, Edward “EF” Green Junior

Athletics

Ross S. Sterling High School competes in these sports;

Volleyball, Cross Country, Football, Basketball, Water Polo, Swimming, Soccer, Golf, Tennis, Track, Baseball, and Softball ^[3]

Activities and clubs

Other activities available at Ross S. Sterling High School include:

• Art
• Band ^[4]
• Colorguard ^[5]
• Choir ^[6]
• Orchestra ^[7]
• Drama
• Sterling Stars Drill Team ^[8]
• JV Sapphires Drill Team

Clubs available include:

• Student Council ^[9]
• ALITE Club ^[10]
• Anime Club
• National Art Honor Society
• National Technical Honor Society ^[11]
• AVID Club ^[12]
• Christian Student Union ^[13]
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes ^[14]
• Interact Club ^[15]
• International Club ^[16]
• Future Farmers of America
• Texas Association of Future Educators ^[17]
• Key Club^[18]
• National Honor Society ^[19]
• Environmental Club ^[20]
• Strategy Club

Academics

Sterling offers a wide range of courses. Along with the core courses, Sterling also offers many College Board AP courses, as well as Dual Credit. Sterling also offers students of Goose Creek CISD schools the opportunity to attend an academy at Sterling High School; the Health Science Academy and the Career Academy of Future Educators.

Notable alumni

• Mark Alford, member of the U.S. House of Representatives^[21]
• Rocky Bernard, defensive tackle for the Seattle Seahawks who played in Super Bowl XL.
• Chris Cagle, Country music singer and songwriter
• Hunter Cervenka, Major League Baseball pitcher ^[22]
• Jennifer Elrod, Federal Appellate Judge^[23]
• Romany Malco, Actor Weeds, The 40-Year-Old Virgin
• Brett Marshall, Major League Baseball pitcher ^[24]
• Barry Smitherman, member of the Texas Railroad Commission
• Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation