July 23, 2013 by Shelby Joe

Houston Christian High School

Houston Christian High School split off from Northwest Academy in 1997. It remained on the same campus for two years, and then moved in 1999 to its current location. The school was founded by a group of pastors from several Houston-area evangelical churches. They wanted to create a school, which included a focus on Christian values and “spiritual formation.” This approach continues to be part of the school’s mission

Houston Christian High School

2700 W. Sam Houston Tollway, Houston, TX 77043 Dr. Steve Livingston, Head of School

713-580-6000 Ms. Carolyn Sparkes, Director of Admissions

www.HoustonChristian.org

Religious Affiliation

Since its founding, the school has had a strong Christian affiliation. In order for someone to teach at Houston Christian, one must profess belief in the divine inspiration of the Bible, the divinity of Jesus, and the foundations of the Christian faith. This strong Christian focus manifests in the curriculum. According to their website, the school “maintains a Christ-centered environment where Christian principles are integrated throughout all courses.” Houston Christian provides Christianity-based courses and requires students to complete a number of Biblical studies classes.

Location and Facilities

Houston Christian High School’s 45-acre campus is located on the edge of a residential neighborhood at the intersection of West Sam Houston Tollway N and Kempwood Drive. The school integrates technology into the classrooms and contains a library and writing center. Houston Christian’s athletic complex includes a soccer field, fields for lacrosse and field hockey, a stadium, a gym, weight and training rooms, and a cheerleading studio. The school also has a chapel and an outdoor pavilion for events.

Admissions

Houston Christian requires: 1) completed online application 2) $100 application fee 3) ISEE scores 4) Teacher Recommendations from the applicants current Math and English teachers 5) Report cards from the last three years 6) Copy of the applicant’s birth certificate and 7) Proof of custody if the applicant’s parents are divorced. Standardized test scores beyond the ISEE are optional.

An interview is required and students will be contacted for an interview after submitting their application. Shadowing visits are available, but not required. The student’s writing proficiency also plays an important role in the admissions process.

Academic Tracks and Curriculum

Houston Christian offers On Track and AP curriculums. The school offers 18 AP courses, including multiple AP courses in all core subject areas except for Bible. Community service is integrated into Houston Christian’s Bible curriculum. Students are required to complete 5 hours of community service for each 9-week grading period. If a student fails to complete five hours of community service, then five points are deducted from the student’s quarterly grade in Bible class. Students must earn 30.5 credits to graduate. Recommended Diploma: English (4), Math (4), Science (4), Social Studies (4), Bible (4), Computer (1), Fine Arts (1), Electives (4), Speech (1), PE/Athletics (1.5), and Foreign Language (2). Students must successfully complete four AP courses and one additional year of foreign language to earn an “AP Distinguished Diploma.”

Special Needs

Houston Christian High School has implemented the Program for College Readiness to accommodate the needs of students with learning differences. When students are accepted into this program (which is not guaranteed due to limited space), they are taught according to a multi-tier strategic plan. This plan includes an individual accommodation plan, communication with parents on all levels, a limited pass/fail option, high teacher-to-student ratios, and a Testing Accommodations Center. However, Houston Christian does not modify its curriculum for individual students. The school only provides accommodations.

Foreign Languages

Houston Christian offers Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish. Students are required to complete two years of a foreign language for the Recommended Diploma or three years for the Distinguished AP Diploma. The foreign language department offers two AP courses, both in Spanish.

Arts

Houston Christian High School offers courses in band, choir, orchestra, dance, drama, and the visual arts, as well as a digital music class. The school’s Mustang Corral pavilion and the chapel provide venues for fine arts performances, and students in the various divisions of the arts department may have opportunities to show their work or perform for larger audiences, at festivals, or Houston community events. Houston Christian students have won statewide awards for acting, vocal music, and instrumental music. The Houston Christian Fine Arts Council facilitates opportunities for students to perform and showcase their work in off-campus venues.

Technology

All students are required to purchase a MacBook from the school as part of the school’s one-to-one laptop initiative. In addition to students’ laptops, Mac desktops are available in the library; classrooms at Houston Christian incorporate projectors, printers, document cameras, and SMART Boards.

Extracurricular Activities

Houston Christian has several academic clubs focusing on foreign language, math, and reading. The school has leadership-focused clubs, such as student council, sports-focused clubs, such as the Lacrosse Ladies, and service-centered clubs, such as Young Life and Crochet for Premies. The school also hosts branches of the National Honor Society and the National Art Honor Society.

Athletics

Sports programs are available to students of all grades, and 78% of students participate in these programs. Houston Christian’s sports programs compete in TAPPS. Boys have the option of playing baseball and football. Girls have the option of being involved in cheerleading, drill team, field hockey, softball, and volleyball. Both boys and girls may participate in basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, and track.

Parent Involvement

To volunteer, parents should join HCHS’s new Mustang Parent Council. Primary volunteer opportunities include college mentoring graduating seniors seeking to attend an alumnus’s alma mater, coordinating class events, and participating in fundraisers.

Houston Christian High School Fast Facts

Overview
School Type	Religious, Coeducational
Religious Affiliation	Christian
Uniforms	Yes
Date Founded	1997
Endowment	N/A
Grades Served	9 – 12
Enrollment	485
Grade 12	113
Grade 11	107
Grade 10	136
Grade 9	129
Student to Teacher Ratio	9:1
Faculty with Advanced Degrees (#/%)	N/A
Minorities in Student Body	20%

Curriculum
Academic Tracks Offered	On Track, AP
Advanced Placement Courses Offered	18
Languages Offered	Latin, Mandarin, Spanish
Calendar (Semester / Trimester / Other)	Quarter
Interscholastic Sports Programs	13

Graduating Seniors
National Merit Semi-Finalists 2013 (#/%)	3/3%
Average SAT Scores (Class of 2012)	1688
Mathematics	N/A
Critical Reading	N/A
Writing	N/A
% Students Admitted to 4 Year University	100%

Admissions
Prime Entry Points	9^th Grade
Grades 9-12	$18,560
New Student Fee	$400
Activity Fee	$600
Students on Financial Aid	N/A