More Corpus Christi ISD high school students returning to campus for face-to-face learning

Editor's note: The story has been updated to clarify Carroll High School had a 16% increase in students learning in-person.

Five Corpus Christi ISD high schools saw an increase of students on their campuses Monday after dropping hybrid schedules that alternated instruction between in-person and virtual learning.

Carroll, King, Moody, Ray and Veterans Memorial offered students the choice to be on campus five days for face-to-face learning or remote instruction.

In all, 49% of Corpus Christi ISD's high school students have returned to classrooms. Carroll High School had the highest increase, with 16% of students learning in-person.

Carroll High principal Jamie Meek said she is excited for students to return because the learning experience is different inside a classroom.

"There's a lot of distractions if you're at home on a computer screen that's out of your control, whereas here they're sitting in a classroom where they got constant, direct interaction with their teacher," Meek said.

The same safety precautions that have been in place since the school year started are still in motion, Meek said. These include screening staff daily, teachers monitoring students, social distancing, facemasks required, disinfecting high-touch areas daily and one-way traffic in hallways and stairwells.

"We're being a little bit more diligent and stepping up by reassessing all of our protocols," Meek said. "We've learned a lot throughout the year and I think that's why we're confident removing the hybrid during the last grading period."

Miller High School has had 51% of students on campus since the school year started.

Mari Lichtenberger, a guidance counselor at Carroll, said she's excited students will have an opportunity for face time with teachers this school year.

"We've had a lot of students struggle," Lichtenberger said. "We have had some students have success with it, but I think it depends on the learning style of the student and their home situations."

Health sciences teacher Casey Pyle said he feels every person on campus has learned basic hygiene and trusts everyone will be safe. He said having students back will make learning seem more real to them.

"When you're taking an online class, especially asynchronous when there's no live person teaching you, it doesn't feel real," Pyle said. "In person, you get a more realistic gauge of how much they have learned. Every day is another challenge; you just have to find ways to make learning fun and engaging."

Pyle said while students have struggled with online learning due to babysitting, distractions and technology issues, he said they have had advantages most prior high schoolers never had.

"They've learned time management at such an early age," Pyle said. "When they get to college, being in this online environment, they may choose to take an online class and know they can handle it."

Alyssa Vela, a sophomore, said she feels safe returning to Carroll for her last six weeks.

"I think it's better for me because I get to focus more and get stuff done," Vela said. "The teacher wasn't one-on-one with us online, so it was different and difficult."

Meek said her staff's focus is academics for the final six weeks.

"We want our students to focus and bring up those grades before the year ends," Meek said. "We know this year was difficult, but I'm positive it will be easier for the kids."

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John Oliva covers education and community news in South Texas. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.