HHS Theatre to present John Patrick’s The Curious Savage

Guest director Bo List and the rest of the Houston High School Theatre Department is set for its production of John Patrick’s charming comedy, The Curious Savage. Written in the 1950s, The Curious Savage tells the story of Ethel P. Savage, a multi-millionaire, who is sent to an upscale New England insane asylum by her stepchildren in a struggle for control of her fortune. While at the asylum, Mrs. Savage meets an eccentric, yet charming, group of characters. Her dilemma in the end is whether to remain with her new friends in a place where people are labeled as “crazy,” or to
enter back into the outside world where she feels the people truly are crazy. The play runs from March 5 – 8. All shows start at 7 p.m., except for the 2:30 p.m. matinee on March 7. Tickets are $7 at the door. For more information, contact Lorraine Cotton at 756-2370 or lcotten@scsk12.org.

2010-2011 HHS Course Catalog Now Available

Course registration for the 2010-2011 academic year will soon be underway. Please visit the link below to read about graduation requirements and course offerings.

HHS Course Catalog

Course selection sheets are due March 11, 2010.

Parent-Teacher Conferences March 4th

Parent Teacher Conferences

March 4, 3 – 6pm

Parents should schedule conferences directly with the teachers. If they have
any trouble, please call the Guidance Office for assistance.

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 Trimester Schedule

More Frequently Asked Questions MoreQuestions

Nail that audition ‘Jersey Boys’ star offers tips for aspiring singers

From the Commercial Appeal:

Young Shelby County singers picked up a few tips about how to make their auditions “pop” in a special workshop with a “Jersey Boy” Thursday afternoon.

About five dozen students packed into Houston High’s choir room, many of them eagerly waiting for a shot to perform for Joseph Leo Bwarie, who stars as Frankie Valli on the national tour of “Jersey Boys.”

The Tony Award-winning musical, which details the story of the Four Seasons, is playing at the Orpheum through Sunday.

“I think that it’s awesome that (Bwarie’s) coming to help us,” said Houston High sophomore Jason Rodgers, who’s seen the show three times. “He’s very talented.”

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.