Houston High School Academies
Honors Academy
The Houston High Honors Academy consists of over 450 students in grades 9-12 who attend Houston High School in Germantown, Tennessee. These students hail from all parts of Shelby County, Tennessee representing 22 middle schools.
Houston High School Honors Academy Application Checklist
As you prepare to apply for the Houston High School Honors Academy, please review the required information and documentation.
Academic Background
The application will ask for general academic information, additionally some documentation will be required:
- Knowledge of the applicant's Fall 2023 Semester Grade Averages in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language
- PDF document or image of the applicant's most recent report card (or transcript if applicant is a current high school student)
- TCAP ELA and Math Score Reports from the 2022-2023 School Year; Click here for information on accessing this report
- Knowledge of applicant's current levels of English, Mathematics, and Science (honors, APEX, standard, etc.)
- Score report from a nationally-normed achievement data (Pre-ACT, ISEE, ERB, PSAT, ACT, SAT, IOWA)
- *If applicant does not have documentation listed above, HHS will provide them an opportunity to take the ACT Explore as a part of their application process.
Personal Information Section
Responses to short essay questions about classes, activities, community service, leadership, and integrity.
- What class(es) outside of your core classes do you enjoy? What do you enjoy most about it?
- What activities are you involved in outside of the school day?
- One important aspect of the academy experience is community service. Describe a community service project you have been involved in at school or in the community. What did you learn from that experience?
- Describe a time when you have exhibited leadership at school or in the community.
- Integrity means being true to ourselves and being honest, upright, and decent in our dealings with others. Describe a time when you have exhibited integrity even when it might have been unpopular. What did you learn from that experience?
Honors Academy Writing Prompt
An essay of 500-600 words on the influence of cell phones, with citations from provided articles.
- People rely on cell phones to communicate with each other through phone calls and texts, connect to the world using the Internet, an rely on apps to complete everyday tasks, like asking Alexa to turn on the lights. Many people feel lost, or sometimes even depressed, without their cell phones? Is this normal? How did we get to this place? Based on the articles, do you believe cell phone are controlling the way that people live and communicate?
- To support your ideas, cite textual evidence from at least three of the provided articles and incorporate specific examples from your own knowledge and experience.
- Article One Link
- Article Two Link
- Article Three Link
Be sure to identify your sources by the author's last name. Remember that your response will be evaluated on your understanding of the articles and on the quality of your writing. Your essay should be between 500-600 words in length. After composing your essay in a word processing program, you will upload the document as a .pdf or .doc attachment.
Leadership Academy
The HHS Leadership Academy consists of over 100 students from all over Shelby County, Tennessee. Through the Leadership Academy experience, students cultivate life skills such as core values, organization, personal responsibility and—of course—leadership.
Houston High School Leadership Academy Application Checklist
As you prepare to apply for the Houston High School Leadership Academy, please review the required information and documentation.
Academic Background
The application will ask for general academic information, additionally some documentation will be required:
- Knowledge of the applicant's Fall 2023 Semester Grade Averages in English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Foreign Language
- PDF document or image of the applicant's most recent report card (or transcript if applicant is a current high school student)
- TCAP ELA and Math Score Reports from the 2022-2023 School Year; Click here for information on accessing this report
Personal Information Section
Responses to short essay questions about classes, activities, community service, leadership, and integrity.
- What class(es) outside of your core classes do you enjoy? What do you enjoy most about it?
- What activities are you involved in outside of the school day?
- One important aspect of the academy experience is community service. Describe a community service project you have been involved in at school or in the community. What did you learn from that experience?
- Describe a time when you have exhibited leadership at school or in the community.
- Integrity means being true to ourselves and being honest, upright, and decent in our dealings with others. Describe a time when you have exhibited integrity even when it might have been unpopular. What did you learn from that experience?
Leadership Academy Video Prompt
Instructions: Create a 60-second video to accompany your application to the Leadership Academy at Houston High School. Your video should reflect your unique story and aspirations, focusing on the following key points:
The Houston Way: Describe what motivates your service to others and why you believe you're a good fit for our Leadership Academy.
Personal and Academic Balance: Share how you value both inside and outside the classroom experiences. Discuss how you balance academic pursuits with leadership roles and community involvement.
Why Houston High School? What draws you to Houston? Highlight what Houston offers that is distinct from other schools and how you plan to contribute to our community.
Impact and Legacy: Reflect on the type of impact you wish to have at Houston High School. How do you see yourself making a difference in our community?
Leadership and Connection: Discuss your vision for developing your leadership potential at Houston. How do you plan to connect with mentors, participate in ambassador programs, or embody the "it" factor in our school community?
College and Career Readiness: Express how joining the Leadership Academy aligns with your future academic and career goals.
Video Guidelines:
- Your video should showcase your leadership potential in a professional way yet creative, reflecting your personal narrative.
Ensure clarity and conciseness, as the time limit is strictly one minute. Videos longer than 60 seconds will not be considered.
Videos don't need professional production but should maintain a standard of quality (i.e. make sure our team can both see and hear you clearly in the video). Videos filmed on phones are perfectly acceptable.
Consider both content and presentation—let your personality and enthusiasm shine through!
Note: This video is a crucial component of your application. It offers a window into your aspirations, values, and potential contributions to the Houston High School community. We look forward to seeing your story unfold!
FAQ for Houston High School Academies
Can I apply for both the Honors and Leadership Academies?
Yes, students are encouraged to apply for both the Houston High Honors and Leadership Academies. If you qualify for both, you will have the opportunity during the interview to clarify your priorities with our admissions team as students are only permitted to be in one academy.
What are the advantages of being a part of these academies?
Being part of the academies offers a focused educational experience tailored to your interests and goals. The Honors Academy provides rigorous academic challenges and opportunities to earn college credits, while the Leadership Academy emphasizes developing leadership skills, fostering community impact, and enhancing personal growth.
Being part of the academies offers a focused educational experience tailored to your interests and goals. The Honors Academy provides rigorous academic challenges and opportunities to earn college credits, while the Leadership Academy emphasizes developing leadership skills, fostering community impact, and enhancing personal growth.
I do not reside in the attendance zone for Houston High School. Can my child still apply?
Yes, open enrollment is available for those outside the attendance zone from January 8th to February 5th, 2024. This allows students from different areas to apply and potentially join the academies. You can visit our Germantown Municipal School District website to check your attendance zone or read more about the open enrollment process.
Yes, open enrollment is available for those outside the attendance zone from January 8th to February 5th, 2024. This allows students from different areas to apply and potentially join the academies. You can visit our Germantown Municipal School District website to check your attendance zone or read more about the open enrollment process.
What supports are afforded to students in the academies?
Students in the academies receive support through various program elements such as leadership retreats, career series opportunities, academic clubs, service learning, and a capstone project. These experiences are designed to build leadership and academic skills, provide community engagement opportunities, and support personal and professional development.
Students in the academies receive support through various program elements such as leadership retreats, career series opportunities, academic clubs, service learning, and a capstone project. These experiences are designed to build leadership and academic skills, provide community engagement opportunities, and support personal and professional development.
What are the requirements for joining the academies?
For the Leadership Academy, requirements include submitting a semester report card, TVAAS score reports, completing "The Houston Way" project, an interview, and a writing sample. The Honors Academy will have similar academic-focused requirements including an essay and an interview. Additionally, Honors Academies applicants may be required to submit additional test score reports or take an entrance exam.
For the Leadership Academy, requirements include submitting a semester report card, TVAAS score reports, completing "The Houston Way" project, an interview, and a writing sample. The Honors Academy will have similar academic-focused requirements including an essay and an interview. Additionally, Honors Academies applicants may be required to submit additional test score reports or take an entrance exam.
What are the academic requirements for the Honors Academy?
Members of the Honors Academy must earn a combined total of at least 12 Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and/or Dual Enrollment credits during grades 9-12. This rigorous academic path prepares students for success at the college level.
Members of the Honors Academy must earn a combined total of at least 12 Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and/or Dual Enrollment credits during grades 9-12. This rigorous academic path prepares students for success at the college level.
What types of courses are offered in the Honors & Leadership Academies?
Houston High School offers a wide range of Honors and AP courses, including English, Sciences, Mathematics, Social Studies, and various electives. There are also Dual Enrollment/College Credit-bearing Courses available for students. For specific course descriptions, pHouston High School Course Catalog.
Houston High School offers a wide range of Honors and AP courses, including English, Sciences, Mathematics, Social Studies, and various electives. There are also Dual Enrollment/College Credit-bearing Courses available for students. For specific course descriptions, pHouston High School Course Catalog.
How do the Academies prepare students for college and beyond?
Students are encouraged to participate in programs like the National Merit Scholarship Program, with HHS producing several semi-finalists each year. Leadership students will explore scholarship opportunities together.
Students are encouraged to participate in programs like the National Merit Scholarship Program, with HHS producing several semi-finalists each year. Leadership students will explore scholarship opportunities together.
What distinguishes a graduate of the Honors Academy?
Graduates earn a Germantown Municipal Schools Honors Diploma, meeting specific credit and GPA requirements. They also have the opportunity to graduate with state honors and distinction by meeting certain ACT/SAT benchmarks and completing additional achievements like earning industry certifications or participating in Governor's schools.
Graduates earn a Germantown Municipal Schools Honors Diploma, meeting specific credit and GPA requirements. They also have the opportunity to graduate with state honors and distinction by meeting certain ACT/SAT benchmarks and completing additional achievements like earning industry certifications or participating in Governor's schools.
What is the AP Capstone Diploma, and how can students earn it?
The AP Capstone Diploma is awarded to students who score 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams. This program enhances discipline-specific study through AP courses and develops skills in research, analysis, and evidence-based argumentation.
The AP Capstone Diploma is awarded to students who score 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams. This program enhances discipline-specific study through AP courses and develops skills in research, analysis, and evidence-based argumentation.
Are there community service requirements for academy students?
Yes, students in both academies must complete 12 hours of community service each year in various areas including service to the school, donation hours, and service that meets the requirements of other clubs or organizations.
Yes, students in both academies must complete 12 hours of community service each year in various areas including service to the school, donation hours, and service that meets the requirements of other clubs or organizations.
What kind of leadership and development opportunities do the academies provide?
Each academy holds seminars focusing on leadership and character development, requiring regular attendance. Additionally, students in both academies will complete a capstone project in their senior year, which is an extension of their elective focus or a community-based project, showcasing their unique skills and strengths.
Each academy holds seminars focusing on leadership and character development, requiring regular attendance. Additionally, students in both academies will complete a capstone project in their senior year, which is an extension of their elective focus or a community-based project, showcasing their unique skills and strengths.