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CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY PROFILE
Over the past 25 years, the Clear Lake Area has developed into a thriving business community. Originally a fishing and agricultural community, the region encompasses nine communities. In 1976, Houston annexed Clear Lake City, which integrates with Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, Kemah, League City, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, and Webster. Approximately 200,000 citizens reside in this area, which encompasses about 125 square miles.
Many features distinguish the Clear Lake Area from other areas outlying the city of Houston. First, it lies midway between downtown Houston and Galveston, and is bordered on the east by Galveston Bay. This location provides the best of both worlds: the stimulation of big city life available within a 30-minute drive, and equal accessibility to tropical beaches.
Clear Lake's access to "big water" makes it attractive to both residents and tourists alike. Not only does the bay provide myriad opportunities for water-centered recreation, but it also offers an aesthetic value that is incomparable. Who wouldn't be mesmerized by the sound of waves rushing to the shore, or those calming sea breezes that add refreshment to even the warmest of days?
Another distinction the Clear Lake Area has earned is that of being home to NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC), which chose this location in the early 1960s. NASA's presence is what really gave impetus to the area's development, and the aerospace programs at JSC, including mission control responsibilities for the Space Shuttle and the Space Station production, continue to contribute to Clear Lake's economy. For example, based on the NASA fiscal year of 1994-95, figures show $1.95 billion was spent locally on federal pay, contractor salaries and services, utilities, materials, and equipment.
CLEAR LAKE EDUCATION
From preschool to graduate study, the Clear Lake Area offers innovative teaching techniques and a commitment to excellence. Residents of the Clear Lake Area take education seriously. It's an attitude that has led the area to earn a reputation of having some of the best schools in the entire region. From preschool to graduate school, you will find a complete range of educational choices.
The Clear Creek Independent School District's innovative teaching techniques have been heralded by national education leaders. Recently, a national comparison of urban schools showed Clear Creek ISD students score higher on tests, drop out less and are more likely to attend college than students of other local districts.
Parents seeking public or private schools may choose from a wealth of specialized programs designed to meet every student's needs, develop solid basic skills and cultivate individual interests and abilities. These include multilingual programs, career and technical education, special education, and various enrichment programs that allow children to enhance talents in arts and sciences.
CLEAR LAKE HOUSING
Determining the neighborhhood that suits your particular lifestyle preferences is one of the most important decisions you will make. Fortunately, in the Clear Lake Area you have a wide array of choices to make this decision easier.
As the area has grown through the years, so has the variety of neighborhoods, each with its own special character and style. If waterfront property is your dream, Clear Lake has communities with boat docks and water access. The Clear Lake Area offers a hometown feel with the quality of life you've been searching for. Regionally, you will find there is still a country atmosphere, where ranches and horse-boarding farms thrive.
CLEAR LAKE HEALTH
Community medical centers and hospitals in the region offer caring and complete health care services to residents. Your family's health is understandably one of your biggest concerns. Be assured that in the Clear Lake Area, residents have easy access to high quality health care, from routine to state of the art. Health care entities in the area provide professional health care without having to travel to "the big city." Likewise, there are "minor emergency clinics" throughout the area that treat everything from the flu and minor bumps and bruises to more severe wounds needing stitches or X- Rays. Residents in the region also have access to specialty clinics that treat conditions such as substance abuse, smoking cessation, weight loss and eating disorders. Some of these operate independently, while many of the major medical centers have established these specialty clinics within their own facilities as well as in convenient satellite centers.
LEAGUE CITY COMMUNITY PROFILE
Located on the south shore of Clear Lake, League City is the largest and fastest growing city in the area with a population of about 55,000. It is dedicated to new development and growth with an eye on preserving the past. Stroll and shop under huge oak trees for gifts, antiques, books and collectibles in "Historic League City". The 1898 restored West Bay Common School, restored historic homes, quaint tearooms, a delightful park and "Helen's Garden" beckon you.
KEMAH COMMUNITY PROFILE
This seaside community is home to about 1,525 residents and unique area shops, galleries and restaurants in a "Waterfront District". Shrimpers sail into Galveston Bay past the Kemah Boardwalk, a dynamic collection of themed restaurants, retail shops, water gardens and amusements for the whole family. Stroll the boardwalk, ride the carousel, soar on the ferris wheel or board the train for a ride through the complex.
www.clearlakearea.com
FRIENDSWOOD COMMUNITY PROFILE
During the 1950s, young families moving out from Houston began to give Friendswood its modern, bedroom stature, but the population was still less than 1,000 in 1959. In 1960, farsighted local men put into action a plan for the incorporation of Friendswood, and the town elected its first mayor, city council, and a law officer – a move which helped prepare it to cope with the tremendous growth which took place in the decade of the 1960s as hundreds of NASA employees chose Friendswood as their home. Subdivisions, schools, churches, businesses and community organizations mushroomed. By 1966, Friendswood had its first medical clinic, pharmacy, bank, newspaper and police department. In 1969 the population was 5,200.
Growth continued unabated through the 1970s and 1980s, with the population nearing 29,000. Friendswood is now a suburban community of fine homes, churches, businesses, schools and organizations, but the past is remembered with pride.
The strong volunteer instincts of the residents enabled the city to build a municipal building in 1965, without debt, because residents donated labor, materials and funding. In 1971, they built a replica of the Frank J. Brown home to serve as a repository of Friendswood's heritage.
That spirit of community involvement has continued as an unbroken tradition in Friendswood, as demonstrated by enthusiastic participation in civic activities and the city's Fourth of July celebrations. The Quakers have long been outnumbered by new settlers, but the values they lived by are still viable, still working to make this a good place to live. Those values include an emphasis on the value of the individual and the individual's role within the family and community, a deep respect for God and for education, a sense that a man's life can be measured by the way he habitually treats his neighbor, and a tolerance and love that still operates to make newcomers feel they've finally come home.
FRIENDSWOOD CLIMATE
In the heart of the sunbelt, Friendswood enjoys a subtropical climate where outdoor sports are practiced year-round, and the growing season extends well into November.
Coldest month: January high 62F / low 42F
Hottest month: July high 90F / low 74F
Average rainfall: 46.1 inches
Sunny days: 91
Cloudy days: 159.7
FRIENDSWOOD SCHOOLS
The Friendswood Independent School District (FISD) was established on December 21, 1948. The district covers 15 square miles and borders the Alvin, Pearland and Clear Creek school districts. Fully accredited by the Texas Education Agency, the district's curriculum emphasizes basic academic skills, higher academic thinking skills, and cooperative learning strategies.
The district is dedicated to meeting the needs of students of all levels of ability. FISD seeks to continuously improve through intensive staff development programs, and has received waivers from the state to replace several instructional days with staff development days.
Technology is an integral part of the curriculum on all campuses. Each campus has at least one self-contained computer laboratory and a portable wireless lab. In addition to basic computer literacy, computers are used for math, language arts and social studies. Laser discs are used on different courses throughout the district.
Foreign language instruction in Spanish, French, and German is offered from 6th through 12th grade, with advanced independent study available. The high school is also involved in cooperative projects with local colleges in applied technology.
FISD schools offer numerous extracurricular activities including drama and musical productions, service organizations and clubs. The secondary schools also compete in academic contests, University Interscholastic League competitions (such as forensics), and sports events governed by the University Interscholastic League.
The philosophy of the district is based on active partnership between parents, the community and the schools, and a commitment to the realization of each and every student's potential.
www.friendswood-chamber.com
PEARLAND COMMUNITY PROFILE
Pearland is the fastest growing city in Brazoria County, positioned on a growth curve that extends well into the 21st century, fueled by an enviable location. However, Pearland's history goes far beyond the initial founding date. Native Indian inhabitants hosted their first European visitors in 1528. Such famous names as Cabeza de Vaca, La Salle, and Stephen F. Austin leap out from this tumultuous chapter in Texas' colorful history that traces the area's development to present-day Pearland. The tenacity of these early settlers formed the backbone of a thriving community that continues to grow, increasing from approximately 19,000 to 41,000 residents in the last decade alone (based on 2000 U.S. Census figures).
PEARLAND DEMOGRAPHICS
Population: 45,153 (6/02)
Land Area: 72.3 square miles
Climate: Sunny and mild with an average annual temperature of 68.9 degrees, and yearly average rainfall of 48.19 inches.
PEARLAND SCHOOLS
Pearland schools have a growing reputation for success in maintaining a classroom environment that is most conducive to learning. Constant improvement is the key feature. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) in 2001 rated the district "exemplary", which is the highest designation awarded by the agency.
Encompassing 43.5 square miles, the district has a student enrollment of 11,263. All 13 campuses (seven elementary schools, two middle schools, two junior high schools, one high school and one student assignment center) are fully accredited by TEA. Two new school campuses are currently under construction.
The district provides a comprehensive academic program in grades K-12, which allows students multiple opportunities to reach their potential. Special services, bilingual/ESL, gifted and talented and pre-kindergarten programs are offered to students who qualify. The entire K-12 curriculum has real-life applications that include the integration of technology. This district also has an extensive career and technology program that makes connections with the business community.
PEARLAND HOUSING
Rapidly becoming an integral part of Houston's metropolitan area, Pearland, referred to as the place where town and country meet, continues to thrive and prosper in the midst of today's ever changing and often unpredictable economy. Offering an atmosphere of hometown family values and convenient access to the nation's fourth largest city, Pearland is home to some 43,103 residents.
Residents of Pearland can choose from a wide variety of housing options, ranging from million-dollar homes to the economical, yet attractive, multi-family units.
The number of housing units in Pearland has increased substantially over the past few years.Pearlanders can take their pick from a wide range of first-class medical facilities and professionals. Memorial/Hermann Hospital Southeast, Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, and Houston's world-renowned Texas Medical Center provide the most up-to-date technology and quality health care.
www.cityofpearland.com
