Making Connections at New Jordan High School

Cross Creek Ranch students’ first day at our eagerly awaited new high school may be virtual, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be making connections— not if Dr. Ethan Crowell has anything to say about it.

The principal of Jordan High School acknowledges the difficulty of opening a new school during a pandemic, but it is a challenge he and his staff are ready to meet.

“The biggest challenge is that we don’t get to be together,” Crowell said. “It’s that face-to-face contact that creates connections. We hope to keep virtual learners connected in the same way we engage students face-to-face, with quality instruction and ongoing communication about progress.”

Crowell intends to make social media a centerpiece of the communication process and has already posted a video on the school’s Facebook page to provide students and parents with a progress report on the school.

“I do not like to take videos of myself,” he said. “But as I said to my students on my first video, ‘I am clearly not a video guy, but due to our circumstances and our situation this is what we have to work with and this is how I’m going to communicate with you.’”

There will be a campus tour coming out soon. Dr. Crowell also has plans to host a series of Facebook Live coffee hours so parents and students can ask questions and get answers. To help students and parents get to know teachers, there will be faculty spotlights.

Crowell is excited to meet students face-to-face and talk to the students about what is important to them once in-person classes begin.

“Students set the tone,” he said. “ I was able to tour some newly opened schools and I was able to ask the principals how they were able to start traditions at their schools. They told me that traditions are handed down. The first senior class leads the way and the second solidifies them. I’m excited to see that happen.”

Whether school is online or in person, Crowell’s vision for Jordan High School remains the same.

“My vision — which is also the vision of my team and the students I was able to talk to in the early spring — is that we want to build a campus where everyone has a place,” he said. “Kids don’t necessarily get excited about instruction, but they do get excited about being on a team or part of a club or in the band. We want to encourage those interests and ensure they have the resources and support they need to succeed.”

Jordan High School is located at 27500 Fulshear Bend Drive. Virtual instruction will begin Aug. 19 with in-person classes slated to begin Sept. 8. Features of the $206 million campus include classrooms for ninth through 12th grades, Career and Technology Education classrooms and areas for fine arts such as orchestra, band, choir and a performance center. It will have athletic areas such as gymnasiums, a weight room, a drill gym and the district’s competition natatorium.

In addition, the campus will feature amazing collaborative areas. The spaces will feature café tables and low tables rather than traditional desks and chairs to encourage collaboration.

We look forward to cheering on our Warriors and sporting our black and gold!