NORTH SHORE – Officials of The Rhodes School were notified on August 24 by the Texas Education Agency that they must close their campus at 13334 Wallisville Road, due to the fact that the Harris County Fire Marshal had found numerous fire code violations. The school operated in a educational building previously used by the Christian Tabernacle, which is at the front of the site.
Specifically, the Fire Marshal said that the building lacked a fire sprinkler system, and a fire alarm system. It had blocked and limited exits, and its address is not visible from the street as required by the fire department.
The fire marshal made available to media photos that depicted electrical violations, kitchen violations, and construction violations.
The closure notice was unexpected and came with short notice. Rhodes School superintendent Michelle Bonton sent home a letter with students, explaining the options that families had for their children. They were able to enroll PK-2nd students in the nearby campus on Tidwell. Students 3rd-6th would be bused to other campuses of the Rhodes School, or allowed to transfer to another charter school. Officials indicated they are working to correct the problems and reopen in the near future.