Houston High School (Germantown, Tennessee)

Houston High School
Address
9755 Wolf River Blvd.
Germantown, Tennessee
United States
Coordinates 35°05′41″N 89°44′15″W / 35.09468°N 89.73741°W / 35.09468; -89.73741Coordinates: 35°05′41″N 89°44′15″W / 35.09468°N 89.73741°W / 35.09468; -89.73741
Information
Type Public High School
Motto "The Best Getting Better"
Principal John Taylor
Faculty 130 (2011)
Grades 9–12
Enrollment 1,933 (2014-15)[1]
Color(s) Black & Silver         
Mascot Mustang
Website

Houston High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Germantown, Tennessee, serving students in grades 9–12. The school was previously one of eight high schools operating in the Shelby County School District. The principal is John Taylor. Houston Middle School and Riverdale Elementary (K-8) are the main feeder schools to Houston High since the creation of the Germantown Municipal School District in June 2014.

History

Houston High School was established in 1989 and is the sole high school of the Germantown Municipal School District (GMSD). Prior to June 2014, HHS was part of the Shelby County Schools system. The GMSD is a family of five schools, Dogwood Elementary (K-5), Farmington Elementary (K-5), Riverdale Elementary (K-8), Houston Middle School (6-8), and Houston High School (9-12). HHS is well known for excellence in academics, arts, and athletics, and activities. GMSD currently boasts the state's highest district ACT average. HHS offers nearly 25 Advanced Placement courses, being one of only four schools in the state to offer the AP Capstone Diploma, and has approximately 200 students in the ACT "30 and Above" Club. The HHS Fine Arts program is state and nationally recognized for excellence in art, band, choir, orchestra, and theater. HHS athletic teams have earned 34 TSSAA state championships, including three girls state championships during the fall of 2015 (cross country, golf, and soccer), and have received "Best of the Preps" recognition in suburban Shelby County for the last eighteen years (1999–2016). HHS offers more than 60 clubs and activities that promote student involvement and encourage philanthropic endeavors.

In 2004, Houston High School added an annex to accommodate the rapid influx of students during several years of rezoning on the part of the Shelby County Schools system. Enrollment swelled to around 2,200, but has leveled off in recent years to approximately 1,900 students.

1994 Tornado

On November 27, 1994, a strong F2 tornado tore through the school and the surrounding area. Large sections of wall, windows, and parts of the roof were severely damaged by the tornado. The damage was so great that the school was condemned, and the next month was spent making repairs.[2]

Scandal of 2018

In May 2018, Houston High School went through a series of scandals concerning their staff, among of which, the choir teacher having inappropriate interactions with students, and incidents regarding invasion of privacy committed by Houston's long-standing principal, Kyle Cherry. In the subsequent aftermath, Cherry resigned, and the choir teacher, William Rayburn, was fired by GMSD. [3] [4]

Athletics

HHS athletic teams have earned 34 TSSAA state championships, including three girls state championships during the fall of 2015 (cross country, golf, and soccer), and have received "Best of the Preps" recognition in suburban Shelby County for the last eighteen years (1999–2016).

The Houston Mustangs football program has produced college players, with the most notable alumni being New England Patriots Defensive Tackle David Nugent[5] and Washington Redskins Defensive End Jeremy Jarmon.[6]

Former Mustang pitcher Matt Cain is currently in the starting rotation for the San Francisco Giants.[7]

Fine Arts

In 2015, the band traveled to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall.[8] The marching band has been given multiple awards, notably the Chancellor's Cup for the Large School Division in the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational for 6 of the last 8 years (as of 2014).[9][10] The Houston High Vocal Program is also acclaimed, with their acapella choir, Fifth Measure, winning the title of Second Best Show Choir in the Nation.[11]


References

  1. ↑ "Houston High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
  2. ↑ http://blog.memphisweather.net/2009/11/remembering-germantown-tornado-15-years.html
  3. ↑ http://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/investigations-into-the-former-principal-and-a-suspended-teacher-at-houston-high-school/1143491846
  4. ↑ https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2018/05/14/choir-teacher-terminated-over-student-interactions/606462002/
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ http://www.nfl.com/players/jeremyjarmon/profile?id=JAR116572
  7. ↑ http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=430912#sectionType=career
  8. ↑ .http://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/?sdate=2014-04-01
  9. ↑ http://www.thehoustonband.com/index.php/awards.html
  10. ↑ http://www.vanderbilt.edu/vuband/vmi.html
  11. ↑ http://www.gmsdk12.org/protected/ArticleView.aspx?iid=6GBB02B&dasi=3G0I
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