Clark Middle School

CMS
Location
500 Hillside Rd.Rear Laredo, TX
Information
Type	Public
Established	1978
School district	United Independent School District
Principal	Rene Rodriguez
Faculty	48
Grades	6-8
Enrollment	820+
Color(s)	Blue and Gold/Yellow
Mascot	Huskies
Information	[phone]
Website	cms.unitedisd.org

Clark Middle School is a middle school located in the north portion of Laredo, Texas, United States, and is a part of United Independent School District. Enrollment at Clark Middle school is estimated to be about 820 students. Unlike the other middle schools in the United Independent School District, Clark Middle School is landlocked on all sides and is not expected to gain as many students in the foreseeable future.

History

Clark Middle school opened in 1978-79 school year in which United Independent School was a few years old. At first Clark Middle served 4-6 grades. Before the 1994-95 school year, the school got a much needed overhaul. The separate gym was connected via a hallway including a new cafeteria. In addition, the library was moved to the former cafeteria location which is now in front of the main office, a new hallway full of classrooms was built on the west side of the school, and the grade levels were changed to 6-8th in order to help out the district from the large population growth that the it experiencing at the time. Finally the school's colors were changed to blue and gold (yellow) to show that Clark Middle now feeds its students into John B. Alexander High School.

Standardized Dress

Starting in the 2007-2008 school year, students are required to follow standardized dress code provided by the district which states students must wear khaki pants and a navy blue or gold colored shirt. [2]

The Texas Education Agency specified that the parents and/or guardians of students zoned to a school with uniforms may apply for a waiver to opt out of the uniform policy so their children do not have to wear the uniform [1]; parents must specify "bona fide" reasons, such as religious reasons or philosophical objections

Clark Middle School Band Program

The program consists of four bands (in descending order ): 3 Performing bands (Honor, Symphonic, and Concert) and Beginner band. The band is under the direction of Gilbert Cuellar and Symphonic Band director, Monica Michelle Espinoza. They are helped by the Alexander High School band directors, Carlos Gil (percussion consultant), and Ben Chasen (UIL consultant). The Honor Band holds 65 straight UIL Sweepstakes and the Symphonic Band holds 21. This band also participates in the American Classics in San Antonio, TX.

CMS Mariachi Del Norte

Recently, the Clark Middle Band program has started a Mariachi Band appropriately named the "CMS MARIACHI DEL NORTE". The Mariachi is under the direction of Carlos Gil. New uniforms were purchased with the help of UISD President, Pat Campos. The CMS Mariachi features Cornets, Guitarones, Armonias, Flutes, Marimba, Piano and of course, Singers.

Feeder Schools

Feeder elementary schools include:

• Clark Elementary School
• Cuellar Elementary School
• Amparo Gutierrez Elementary School
• Newman Elementary School

Clark feeds into John B. Alexander High School and United High School

External links

• United Independent School District