35 Years of The Honor Roll School

A Message from the Founder

Lisa Liang

After working as a public school teacher, I realized that many educational philosophies, pedagogies, and instructional methodologies could never be applied in the classroom due to the constraints and realities that public schools face.

When I relocated from Los Angeles to Houston, I had the opportunity to either return to teaching at a public school or start a school where I could apply what I had learned. In 1991, I founded The Honor Roll School. The school opened with 50+ students in the Infant through pre-kindergarten programs, aiming to add one grade each year until we reached 8th grade. This gradual expansion allowed us to create a cohesive educational program focused on child development and high student achievement.

I knew that our education must begin in the earliest years of a child’s life. Its impact can foster interest and success in students’ later learning. Research and my own experience have shown me that when children are nurtured in an enriched, motivating environment during their formative years, they not only acquire academic knowledge and skills but also foster curiosity, build confidence, and develop a genuine love of life-long learning.

As the school community grew, so did our need for space and opportunity. In 1994, we constructed a new building on a 4-acre campus, creating additional space for both physical and educational expansion. Over the next six years, we continued to invest in our facilities, adding a building approximately every three years to support our growing student body and evolving program offerings.

At the heart of the school was a clear vision and philosophy: to create a stimulating, creative, and challenging learning environment through age-appropriate strategies that inspired students to become lifelong learners. Equally important was our commitment to character development. We emphasized the values of honor, respect, and responsibility, as well as a strong work ethic, believing that education must shape not only the mind but also the character of each child.

We provided a strong framework for both students and teachers- establishing clear achievement goals and equipping classrooms with abundant learning resources. At the same time, we trusted and empowered our teachers by giving them the freedom to bring creativity and individuality into their instructions. This balance allowed educators to focus their time and energy where it mattered most: engaged and inspiring their students.

We also recognized that education is a shared journey. Parents were not just observers, but partners in their children’s education. Their involvement and support were integral to the success of our students and school.

In 2005, I decided to sell The Honor Roll to Nobel Learning Communities, embracing a new opportunity to extend my educational vision internationally by building a school abroad. While that chapter marked a transition, the foundational principles on which the school was built continue to guide and extend its original vision through many more committed and caring educators.

Over the years, I have continued to run into many former parents who let me know about their children’s accomplishments and the foundation we have given them. After 35 years, it is truly gratifying to see that this school, which began with the simple desire of promoting an enriched education to a small group of students, has grown into a vibrant learning community grounded in its vision, values, and commitment to excellence. It has been one of the greatest blessings and a privilege to have founded The Honor Roll School, which has definitely made my life more meaningful.

35 Years, One Family

Founded in 1991, The Honor Roll School in Sugar Land has been known for its excellence in preschool through 8th grade education. Parents have complimented us on our passionate and dedicated teachers, our standards-based curriculum, and our understanding of the needs of each child.

At The Honor Roll School, we are more than just a school – we’re a family.

Join the Celebration

Were you part of our journey? We’re excited to hear your story!

Share your memories, stories, and well wishes, and be featured in our anniversary video and article.

How to Participate:

Send 2–3 photos (bonus: hold the anniversary logo!)
Write a short story or update
Record a 1–2 minute video (landscape format)
Join an interview (contact us for details)
Send your stories to: Doris.Quintero@thehonorrollschool.com

Join Now

Our Journey and Legacy

For over three decades, we’ve built a warm, nurturing community where children are encouraged to explore, question, and grow into confident, capable learners.

Our success is rooted in the passion and dedication of the exceptional educators who have called our school home over the years. These caring teachers and staff members have gone above and beyond to create a supportive environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. Their commitment to academic excellence and personal growth has shaped generations of students.

We’re honored to share and celebrate the many memories from our community, from the milestones to friendships. These achievements make The Honor Roll School such a meaningful part of so many families’ lives.

Alumni & Family Story Highlights

Teacher/Administrator Testimonial

Wow, can you believe it’s been 35 years? Huge congratulations to Honor Roll School on reaching this incredible milestone!

It feels like just yesterday I was starting my journey there, when you were just two years old. What a privilege it was to watch so much of the school’s amazing story unfold over the years. I’m still so grateful to Lisa Liang for giving me the chance to lead the Pre-K and TK programs, and then for promoting me to Early Childhood Principal. Those years were truly special, and I even have a fun memory of being featured on that entrance lobby mural by Guermo Blanco – it really showed the vibrant community we built together.

That mission statement – “to cultivate a love of learning and to establish lifelong friendships among students by means of a challenging educational program in a caring atmosphere” – wasn’t just a fancy phrase. It was something we all believed in deeply and worked hard to live by every single day.

It warms my heart when I bump into early childhood alumni parents. They always tell me how our Early Childhood program laid such a strong foundation for their kids, which then helped them soar academically. It truly speaks volumes about the incredible work everyone put in. The energy between our enthusiastic students, supportive parents, and dedicated teachers was just magic; it made for such a welcoming and fantastic learning space.

Since hanging up my hat in 2019, my husband and I have been busy globetrotting! We’ve had incredible adventures soaking up cultures in India and exploring the beauty of Europe. Next up? A Caribbean cruise on September 19th!

As Honor Roll celebrates this big anniversary, I’m sending all my very best wishes for continued success. May you reach even greater heights and keep inspiring generations for many, many more years to come – here’s to another 65 and beyond! Just know, I’ll always be your biggest cheerleader and blow kisses every time I pass the school❤️

Joy Dasgupta, teacher and ECP Principal 27 years at THRS

Alumni Testimonial

Happy 35th Anniversary THRS! An update from The Sterling Family alumni. Ryan is now a freshman Division 1 soccer player at Penn State University and is loving it. Leah is now in management at a wellness studio/one of the youngest managers in the country. Our best to you and THRS! What an amazing school!

-Leah and Ryan Sterling, THRS Classes of 2018 and 2022

Family/Alumni Testimonial

Roarke Bradley is the youngest of the Bradley Family and attended THRS from PK (Lisa William’s class!) through 8th grade graduation. He was friends with Sydney Huxtable from Kindergarten on, and they became a couple in 8th grade. They went to Houston Christian High School, then graduated from the University of Arizona, then Roarke received his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M. They married in 2024 and now live in Sienna, close to their families!

Family Testimonial

Happy 35th to The Honor Roll School! My girls have been at THRS forever! Sofia started there in PK at THRS, graduated from NYU with honors, and is now at Rutgers Law School!! A total glow moment for the school. Serena was in my belly when we started there and her journey started in Toddler through 8th (Class of 2023) and now is about to graduate from Clements. This year Serena is teaching American Sign Language as a club for the middle school students at THRS. Our bond is always there! Our best, The Aziz Family

Family Testimonial

Happy 35th Anniversary to an amazing school and environment! We believe Honor Roll has given our boys the foundation for success and prepared them for the rigors of college life and beyond, it taught them to push themselves and the boundaries of the norm by taking them out of their comfort zone. We cannot thank THRS enough for the strong foundation, opportunities for leadership and shaping their minds to think outside the box. Thank you Mrs Quintero and the late Mr Heinley! Look at what our boys have accomplished so far.

Rhyan Wilby graduated in May with a Mechanical Engineering major and Electrical Engineering Minor Summa Cum Laude. He will complete his masters in Mechanical Engineering this December. Rhyan gained scholarships awarded by Texas A&M and represented the Texas A&M precision pistol team all 4 years in state and national championships gaining silver, gold and bronze medals. Rhyan has a thriving business, Yellowbirdie Golf Company, that he has also established. He designs and makes customized golfing putters. Krishna Wilby graduated high school in 3 years. He is currently at Auburn University in the PreMed program where he earned a full scholarship. He has been on the deans list for maths and science, every semester thus far at Auburn and is in the top of his class.

-Wilby Family, THRS Class of 2019 and 2023

Student Testimonial

Grace Zhang joined The Honor Roll School as a second grader, and it is hard to believe that she is already in fifth grade. Looking back at the little girl who first walked through the doors of THRS and seeing the confident, curious, and independent young girl she is becoming today makes us realize how quickly these precious years have passed.

The Honor Roll School has been much more than a place for Grace Zhang to learn. It has been an important part of her childhood, a place where she has grown, discovered new interests, built wonderful friendships, and created so many happy memories.

As parents, we are especially grateful for the teachers and staff who have encouraged, guided, and cared for her throughout these years. Every teacher, friendship, classroom experience, and special school moment has become a small part of Grace’s story.

Congratulations to The Honor Roll School on 35 wonderful years! We feel very fortunate that Grace has been part of this special community, and we will always treasure the memories she has made here.

-Grace Zhang, THRS Class of 2030

Family Testimonial

Honor Roll is HOME to us! It has a very distinct and special place in our hearts 🙂

Erkan’s HSEF winning project that sent him to represent THRS in the national Broadcom Masters. After 8th grade at THRS, Erkan graduated from Awty, and went on to UC Berkeley. Studied Industrial Engineering and Operations Research. Completed an internship with Tesla and is now working for the Defense Industry in the Bay Area. Raina also graduated from Awty and is currently at UMASS Boston where she will soon graduate with a degree in Business Management. Happy 35th Anniversary THRS!

Go Dolphins, the Bozkurt Family, Class of 2015

Family Testimonial

WOW! What a great ride! Our time at THRS was the sweetest spot of our lives. Our family joined the THRS family in Fall of 2002 and graduated our youngest in May of 2014. In 2005, mom (Amy) took on the role of school nurse and joined the Partners Board. We have the greatest memories of volleyball games and Halloween and book fairs and wrestling matches and Outdoor School and the middle school trips to Europe and DC and Fun Food Fridays and lock-ins and Science Fairs and the Science Lab (with Jake the snake!) and lost teeth and sick kids in my office and so much more but mostly all the dear friends, both students and teachers, we made over the years.

And, we’re thrilled now to have a third generation at THRS with Quinn’s daughter, Willa!
We are so grateful to Lisa Liang for this massive and beautiful thing she began 35 years ago.

All our love, always, to our Dolphin Family, The Bradleys xo

Alumni Testimonial

As a proud 2017 alumnus of THRS, I can confidently say this school holds a special place in my heart. From the moment I walked through its halls as a bright-eyed Pre-K student, I was immersed in an environment filled with love, encouragement, and support. THRS was more than just a school; it was a second home where every day felt like an opportunity to learn, grow, and build lasting connections.

The school’s emphasis on Honor, Respect, and Responsibility became the foundation of my character. These principles guided me as I graduated from Strake Jesuit College Preparatory in 2021 and continue to support me as I pursued my Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing at the University of Houston.

From academics to sports and beyond, the experiences and lessons I gained here have been instrumental in shaping me into the man I am today. I am incredibly proud to be part of the THRS legacy and will always cherish the memories and values it instilled in me.

-Alex May, THRS Class of 2017

Family Testimonial

It is such a privilege to be part of The Honor Roll School as we celebrate 35 incredible years. As a parent, I am grateful to be part of a school community that is so committed to helping children learn, grow, and become the best versions of themselves. What I especially love about The Honor Roll School is that education goes beyond academics.

The school places such importance on building strong character and instilling values that our children can carry with them throughout their lives. I truly love the school’s motto of Honor, Responsibility and Respect. These three words represent so much of what we hope to teach our children as parents.

I love that these values are not simply words, but are part of the foundation of the school and the way our children are encouraged to treat themselves, one another, and their community.

Here’s to many more years of creating wonderful memories, building character, and helping children become confident, compassionate, and responsible individuals. Happy 35th Anniversary, THRS!

Best wishes from The Najee Family.

Family Testimonial

Happy 35th Anniversary to The Honor Roll School!

Looking back at the little boy who first walked through your doors and seeing the confident, independent young man Aaryan is today reminds us how fast time flies. THRS has been so much more than a school to us. It has a been a true home where Aaryan grew, made wonderful friends, and built last memories.

As parents, we are deeply grateful to the amazing teachers and staff who cared and guided him every step of the way. We feel so fortunate to be part of this special community. May you continue to inspire generations for many years to come. Go Dolphins!

Warmly,
The Hussain Family, THRS Class of 2025

A Letter from the Founder

See the Full Media Gallery

Schedule a Tour

When was The Honor Roll School founded?

The Honor Roll School was founded 1991 by Lisa Liang.

The school opened with 50+ students in the Infant through pre-kindergarten programs, aiming to add one grade each year until we reached 8th grade.

Will there be events to celebrate the 35th Anniversary?

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our special event on September 18th!

To keep the celebrations going, please submit your stories and memories to be featured.

If you are interested in joining The Honor Roll School Family, please contact us and schedule a tour.

How can I participate?

In addition to joining us for our on-campus event, families can send a submission in the “Join the Celebration” section!

Share your memories, stories, and well wishes — and be featured in our anniversary video and article.

How to Participate:

Send 2–3 photos (bonus: hold the anniversary logo!)
Write a short story or update
Record a 1–2 minute video (landscape format)
Join an interview (contact us for details)
Send your stories to: Doris.Quintero@thehonorrollschool.com

Join Now

The Honor Roll School in Sugar Land, TX