Led by principal Jack Singley, the fledgling school proudly embraced its patriotic school colors (red, white & blue), its athletic teams, its organizations and its up-to-date philosophy of team-teaching in an open concept setting. With the school year divided into trimesters and with seventy-minute periods, students were able to take multiple elective classes.

In 1979, the decision was made to modify the open concept by building walls in the Math Pod, and the use of Math "packets" was discontinued in favor of more traditional teaching techniques. Students were very successful academically, and school pride continued to grow. Trimesters were replaced with semesters, and class periods were shortened to fifty-five minutes.

By 1983, Sam Houston had a new principal, Brooks Teague, and the structural modifications continued. The theme of the yearbook, "We’re Riding High," reflected the spirit of the times.

Jerry Winn was the principal in 1985 and 1986. Sam Houston had a double extravaganza, celebrating both the school’s ten-year anniversary, and the Texas Sesquicentennial. Fifteen faculty members celebrated their ten-year anniversary at Sam Houston. Iggy the iguana died, and grieving students raised money to have him stuffed and placed in the Sesquicentennial time capsule. Sam’s successful academic program was spotlighted when Houston students won the first MESH trophy, and Houston made the front page by holding Irving’s first academic pep rally.

A renewed sense of school pride began developing in 1989. Houston continued to excel academically, and to bring home the MESH trophies while marking the end of Bill Althoff’s three-year term.  

Linda Ivins was the principal for the next seven years. She oversaw significant changes in education, as Sam Houston moved from typewriters to computers, and from departments to teams. The state of Texas recognized Sam Houston for excellence in education, the result of outstanding TAAS scores. A 30-minute in-school advisory/tutoring program was instituted, and class periods were shortened to 45 minutes. During this period of time, major construction took place, changing Houston’s interior and exterior. Furthermore, Sam Houston became "Partners in Education" with Allstate, and welcomed their volunteer tutors into the classroom. GTE initiated a unique new program, Saturday Scholars, manned by their volunteers on Saturday mornings. As societal violence made its way into the schools, student safety became a concern. Peer mediation, Crime Stoppers, and an on-campus youth action officer were used to help address the concern.

In 1995, Nathaniel Allen took the helm of Sam Houston, bringing years of experience and middle school philosophy with him. The organization of the school changed, bringing teaming to the forefront. The school was reorganized, with teachers and rooms being grouped by teams instead of departments, and Sam Houston Junior High became Sam Houston Middle School. Modular Industrial Technology replaced Woodshop as vocational emphasis shifted to technological acumen. As Houston celebrated its 20-year anniversary, six teachers marked theirs 20-year anniversaries at Sam Houston.

In 1998, the emphasis at Sam Houston was on raising TAAS scores. Principal Robin Wall was hired to lead the faculty of Sam Houston to its goal of "exemplary," and when the TAAS scores came in, Houston had become a "recognized" campus! Students as well as staff, basked in the glow of academic recognition. Embracing current educational philosophy, Houston began "blocking" at the 6th grade level.

Although faced with severe budget cuts, staff reductions and staff realignments, Sam Houston continues to meet the needs and challenges of its student population. Beginning with the 2004-2005 session, the Texans welcomed yet another principal. Rick Nolly, a long time coach and administrator in the Irving Schools system, was given his first school as Principal. While time continues and faces change, the true mission of Houston - to provide the best in education and guidance for young adults - still continues.