Houston Shifts to Trimester schedule in 2010-2011
In the 2010-2011 school year, the academic schedule at Houston High School
will move from a traditional, six-period two-semester schedule to a new
five-period trimester schedule. After reviewing the current educational
research, the administration at HHS is convinced that this new schedule will
improve student achievement, increase opportunities for enrichment, provide
necessary remediation or support, and allow greater student opportunities in
selecting classes.
Frequently Asked Questions: HHSFAQs
A PowerPoint explaining how the schedule works. HHS Schedule
More Frequently Asked Questions MoreQuestions
NEW! Exam Exemption Policy for Second Semester
SEMESTER EXAM EXEMPTION for 9TH THROUGH 12th GRADE STUDENTS
A student having a 90 or higher average for the two terms in a specific course, and having three (3) or fewer excused absences in that same course will be exempted from the semester exam if the student desires. When a student is exempted from the examination, the semester average will be the average of the two term grades and any state-mandated exam as outlined in Number 9. ANY UNEXCUSED ABSENCE IN THE COURSE WILL DISQUALIFY THE STUDENT FROM ALL EXEMPTIONS. EXEMPTIONS APPLY ONLY TO TEACHER-MADE SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS. 12th grade students are eligible for exam exemption during both semesters. All other students in high school courses who meet the above requirements may be exempted for only the second semester exam.
The following standards will be observed for students to be exempted from semester exams.
A student classified as a 12th grade student as defined by Shelby County policy is eligible for exam exemption during both semesters. All other students are eligible only during the second semester.
Absences due to school sponsored activities do not count against the student.
Absences due to religious holidays do not count against the student.
Days spent in ISS are considered as excused absences from class for exam exemption and will be applied to the limit of three (3) excused absences allowed each student
Homebound students are not eligible during the semester they have been homebound.
(1) Days a student is not on roll in a class are included as absences for this policy. (2) A student transferring into a Shelby County School or from one Shelby County School to another during the semester may qualify for exemption on the basis of a certified attendance record from the previous school provided (a) he/she entered said previous school the day it opened for the semester and (b) he/she meets all other criteria of this policy. In case of unusual circumstances beyond the student’s control, the decision regarding exemption shall be the responsibility of the principal. The principal shall have final authority regarding exemption.
Provisions must be made for exempted students who choose to attend school on test day.
Standard rounding procedures will be used for semester averages.
Tardies do not count as absences.
The classroom teacher is responsible for maintaining the accurate attendance in the classroom. If discrepancies occur, the principal makes the final decision.
Any student who is eligible for an exemption may elect to take his/her exam in an attempt to improve his/her average. If the student’s exam score is lower than the average of the two nine week term grades, the exam score will not count.
Projects may still count as exams or become a part of the semester average.
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Houston High Theatre News
Congratulations to the cast and crew of Seussical the Musical. It was chosen to be performed at the Tennessee State Thespian Conference on January 16th! Many schools from all over the state of Tennessee submitted their fall productions to be considered for the mainstage performance. Seussical was the musical chosen for mainstage. Approximately 1200 students gather for the weekend of January 15th and 16th to take workshops taught by professional artists, to see other schools perform, and to have fun! Justin Sams was elected last year for the Executive Board. He will be helping to run the large conference and has been planning for the past year with the other students on the board. Casey Greer is running for Executive Board this year. If you are interested in helping to sponsor the production of Seussical, please contact lcotten@scsk12.org. There are no ticket sales, so we are looking for sponsors to help with production costs.
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Houston High wins “Battle of the Brains”
Individual
First place: Faith Smith. Project: rainwater harvesting and filtration
Second place: Richard Vollmer. Project: home roof garden
Third place: Richard Sleep. Project: reusable napkins
Group
First place: Eva Pray, Samantha Pennella, Catherine Labreche and Rachel Belisle. Project: wind turbine energy
Second place: Taylor Wolford, Mason Tronsor and Rahim Hirani. Project: carbon dioxide reduction through landscaping
Third place: Ryan Zheng, Lauren Jeu, Theresa Borcky and Manasa Subramani. Project: sewper power
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Sebastian Norrdahl named Commercial Appeal Academic All-Star!
Sebastian, a senior, is a top student and an exceptional leader. He holds a 3.86 unweighted grade point average and scored 35 on the ACT. He also received a 2110 on the SAT. Sebastian received the top score of “5″ on four AP exams: AP U.S. History, AP European History, AP English and AP Biology. He is a member of the National Honor Society, National Junior Classical League Honor Society and Key Club. Sebastian is captain of the Knowledge Bowl Team, Triumvir of the Junior Classical League, acting president of the Model United National Club and secretary of the Beta Club.
He received an Honorable Delegate Award for his role with the Model UN. He was recognized by the Shelby County PTA and Tennessee PTA for his work in Film and Video Production. He also has won numerous awards including the Science Award, the Corona Olivae High Achievement Award on the Medusa Mythology Exam and first place for Mythology Application Essay. He also is a second place team member of the U.S. Department of Energy Science Bowl Competition. Sebastian received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Tennessee State Science Bowl Championship. He participates in many service activities through the Key Club and Beta Club.
In addition to his school leadership roles, Sebastian volunteers with the Lichterman Nature Center, Adopt-a-Highway Clean-up and Cordova Arts and Crafts Festival. He is an acolyte with the Lord of Life Lutheran Church. He also has worked the past two summers at LeBonheur Children’s Medical Center and observed surgeries, teaching rounds and patient care. He is a well-rounded student who contributes much to his classes and school. He plans to major in pre-medicine in college.
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Pillows made by Houston High students to be sent overseas
Houston High School family and consumer science students have been stitching while munching at lunch this month.
They’re sewing pillows to send to U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. So far, the group has stuffed and sewn at least a dozen pillows, with military and patriotic themes. They plan to eventually mail 30 to 50 pillows with letters of encouragement.
See full Commercial Appeal Article here.
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Attention Students and Parents!
Please click on the appropriate link below to fill out a survey about Houston High School!
School Improvement Plan Survey for Parents, Guardians, Community
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Internet Safety tip of the month!
In Net Cetera: Chatting With Kids About Being Online, OnGuard Online gives adults practical tips to help kids navigate the online world. Kids and parents have many ways of socializing and communicating online, but they come with certain risks. This guide encourages parents to reduce the risks by talking to kids about how they communicate – online and off – and helping kids engage in conduct they can be proud of. Net Cetera covers what parents need to know, where to go for more information, and issues to raise with kids about living their lives online.
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