Houston Christian High School

If stability is what you are looking for, stay away from here. Very high faculty turn over should give you some idea as to the type of environment your kids will experience. School lacks solid, qualified leadership.

I love this school. It has great facilities, open arms to all, and a dynamic faculty. As mentioned in other reviews, it has a teacher that writes the AP European History exam and publishes, a Fullbright Scholar, and others who are engaged in many professional activities to help students. Its head football coach is in the state hall of fame. Though they do not have the same type of students that Kinkaid or St. John's draws, I find it to be a better school. Faculty turnover still seems to be an issue. I am not sure why. But my student had a great senior year. Her AP US and European History teacher is just great!!! Her Calculus teacher is awesome. All of them are the BEST.
—Submitted by a parent

HCHS has had one principal, and one head of school, for its 12 year history and with the principal retiring (won the ACSI Lifetime achievement award) the fact that it recruited the highest caliber replacement is a testament to the momentum it has in the marketplace. Its graduating class of 98 had offers of $6.5mil. of scholarships to college incl 2 rec'd for military service academy appointments. 12 graduates will play college sports next year on scholarship. Spanish teacher awarded prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, and Band director awarded a Fund for Teachers Fellowship to study at Oxford this summer. Student population draws from 55 different feeder schools, 42 different zip codes, and reached its maximum enrollment of 500 for the first time in school history. HCHS seeks to be a preeminent college preparatory school, which also provides a christian world and life view during regular instruction, stressing student "servant/leader" model and global travel to open perspectives of how christian leaders go out into the world to spread the gospel. Parents generously support Annual Fund and HC is building to complete its campus master plan on 45 beautiful acres!
—Submitted by a teacher

As a family, we feel blessed that our child has had the opportunity to attend this excellent college preparatory school. The campus is warm and inviting to all who apply themselves. There are excellent teachers who are willing to take the time and effort to tutor before and after class, during lunch or whenever needed. Our child his received priceless mentoring and support from several teachers and coaches that has been beyond our expectations! The class sizes are intimate and well worth the extra expense over public high school. From top to bottom the faculty and staff are committed to excellence!
—Submitted by a parent

Going to Houston Christian was the worst decision of my life. Want your kid to be miserable, send them to HCHS!
—Submitted by a student

We lived in Massachusetts for many years, where my daughter was enrolled in public school. We had to move to Houston during the summer before my daughter's freshman year, and knowing how inadequate the public schooling system is there we decided to send my daughter to private school. She was vastly under challenged. Students who have gone to Houston public schools before coming to HCHS all talk about how challenging the academic programs there, but in reality they pale in comparison to the PUBLIC schools in Massachusetts, and my daughter was enrolled in what HCHS calls advanced classes! It seems that students who participate in athletic programs seem to be looked down upon. Many of my daughter's teachers refused to give her any work she missed due to her participation in athletics until after I emailed them. Due to the inadequacy of my daughter's education, along with other factors, we decided to move back to Massachusetts by the summer following my daughter's sophomore year. Back in Massachusetts, my daughter received a much more rigorous education in a public school (the advanced classes back at HCHS are like average classes here).
—Submitted by a parent

This school has spectacular facilities although the mens lockerroom is much better and more equipped than the ladies. The choir is awesome and hchs excels in fine arts. You are donstantly able to check your grades because they update you online. Teachers are almost always available if you have questions except that some teachers are asst or coaches so you cant always go in after school.
—Submitted by a student

After having attended public school, our son entered Houston Christian as a freshman and has really loved the academic rigors of the school. He was nowhere near challenged before and now we feel he will be very capable in college. This is a one sport school..if you child has visions of doing more it is very difficult. This school really strives to develop the academic side of your child and is quite successful at it. Our son has really enjoyed his time here.
—Submitted by a parent

HCHS is not a college preparatory high school; but a 'you better be prepared for college' high school. Students will do well here if they are self-motivated learners. This school is not for everybody. If you are a minority, then I would consider checking into the demographic breakdown and find out how many of the minority students actually excel here. Some of the teachers have great hearts; but I would question the motivation of some of the teachers. If you child is an athlete, a word of warning student athletes are looked down upon at this campus - they like students, not student-athletes.
—Submitted by a parent

My son recently transferred from a local 4 year private school, Pope John 23 to Houston Christian in his senior year and after 1st 1/2 year he is making 3.4 average and has not looked back to his previous school. he is extemely happy at HCHS. Houston Christian is a premier private school in Houston Area and as parents we are happy with this school for our son. He has applied to 5 colleges and so far has gotten accetance to one after only 3 weeks of application.
—Submitted by a parent

HCHS is the rising star among Houston private schools. It has first rate facilities on the largest contiguous campus in Houston (45 acres), a caring and plugged-in administration, and an academic curriculum as challenging as you want it to be. Kids are good kids, the few problems are dealt with quickly, and the community is like family. Although not as well known as some (since it's only been around since 1998), this school is among the tops in Texas private education.
—Submitted by a parent

We have had one graduate (now attending Wheaton College in IL) and one is a junior. While no school is perfect, this school is a blessing to us. Strong academics, fabulous coaches, caring staff, and a first rate fine arts program make this a wonderful choice. There are AP classes for just about every subject, as well as the Distinguished Scholars Program for those kids looking for an opportunity to dig deeper. There is also the Discovery Program for kids with learning disabilities.
—Submitted by a parent

In my initial meeting with the school, I learned that the high school students do an average of 5 to 6 hours of homework a night. This strikes me as a school for those students who already perform at a high academic level, and who would probably do well at any competitive high school. The drug use problem was described as an 'isolated incident, from several years ago'.
—Submitted by a parent

Challenging college prep school offers Distinguished Scholars and full range of AP classes. Outstanding choir (state champions 7 years). Facilities are state of the art, with new technology. All athletic opportunities are available, including golf, swimming, and tennis. Parents are very involved and administration welcomes involvement. The school also offers program for those with learning challenges. This is an outstanding private school!
—Submitted by a parent