The Chinquapin School

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The Chinquapin School

Quid pro Quo (Latin: Something for Something)
Established	1969
School type	Non-profit private school
Religious affiliation	Secular
Codirectors	Bill Heinzerling Kathy Heinzerling
Location	Highlands, Texas, United States
Campus	Rural
Enrollment	152
Faculty	15
Average class size	14
Student:teacher ratio	9:1
Average SAT scores (2004)	535 verbal 556 math
Athletics	Basketball, soccer, track, volleyball
Color(s)	Black and white
Mascot	Burr
Homepage	www.chinquapin.org

The Chinquapin School is a non-profit private college-preparatory school, grades six through twelve, which serves low-income youth, particularly minorities, from the Greater Houston area. The school, accredited by the Texas Alliance of Accredited Private Schools, is located in Highlands in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA.

1 History
2 Academics
- 2.1 Coursework by grade level
- 2.2 High school graduation requirements
3 Student life
4 Athletics
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

The Chinquapin School was founded by Robert P. Moore — formerly head of the English Department at St. John's School in Houston — and his wife Maxine. Incorporated in March 1969 as a school for boys, it was funded with an initial five-year grant of $250,000 from The Brown Foundation, Inc of Houston.

The Moores had planned to locate the school on their property near Palestine, Texas — where a branch of Chinquapin Creek and several Chinquapin trees can be found — but were convinced they needed to be closer to Houston. Inner-city students — the school's target prospects — were located there, as was the donor base who were more plentiful in Houston and who would want to see the impact they were making in their city.

Chinquapin was originally located in the city of Baytown on Tri City Beach Road. Board members soon discovered nearby the current Highlands location (a former egg farm); doors opened there in August 1973. The school became coeducational in 1978, letting in its first female student on a trial basis.

The school's name comes from the Algonquin word meaning "large". The school motto is "Quid pro Quo", Latin for "Something for Something". It's been the schools motto since its founding, and its simple message pervades almost every aspect of the school.

[edit] Academics

Chinquapin's curriculum is similar to that of schools in the Houston Independent School Districts, but with similar classes, individual attention , and a college preparatory focus. Most students take six classes per day.

Since the Chinquapin curriculum is college preparatory, the standards are high. Students are expected to maintain at least a "C" average (72.5). Failure to meet this standard will result in academic probation and can lead to eventual dismissal. Some exceptional students may be required to maintain a higher grade average in order to keep their scholarship.

Students whose GPA falls bellow a 72.5 average are placed on academic probation. Once an probation, the student will complete a contract with the Dean of Students. This contract will outline the steps necessary for the student to return to good academic standing. Failure to meet the expectations of the contract may result in dismissal from the school.

[edit] Coursework by grade level

6th grade

Reading, Language Arts, Geography, Mathematics, Science, Study Skills, Physical Education

7th grade

English, Language Arts, Texas History, Pre-Algebra, Life Science, Life Skills, Introduction to Art

8th grade

English, Language Arts, U.S History (Early Settlement through the Civil War), Algebra I, Earth Science, Introduction to Computers

9th grade

English I, Language Arts I, World History, Algebra I or Advanced Algebra II, Physical Science, Spanish I or Advanced Spanish I

10th grade

English II, Language Arts II, U.S. History (Reconstruction to the Present), Algebra II or Advanced Trigonometry, Biology, Spanish II or Advanced Spanish II

11th grade

English III, Language Arts III, Pre-Calculus or Advanced Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, Introduction to Computer Science, Spanish III or AP Spanish, Electives

12th grade

English IV, Language Arts IV, U.S. Government/Economics, AP Calculus or Math Models, Physics, Environmental Science

[edit] High school graduation requirements

4 years of English
4 years of Math
3 years of Science
1 year of Computer Literacy
2 years of History
1/2 year of American Government
1/2 year of Economics
3 years of Foreign Language
4 years of Physical Education
1 community service project per year
Acceptance into an accredited college or university

[edit] Student life

All students who attend Chinquapin are on scholarship and pay a fraction of the $10,500 per student operating cost — $30-$100+ a month, based on family income. To fulfill the school's motto of Quid pro Quo (Latin: "Something for Something") students give back by performing daily chores and helping in the community.

Girls and sixth grade boys are bussed to the school daily. Boys in seventh through twelfth grades stay Monday through Friday in campus dormitories.

[edit] Athletics

Chinquapin is grouped in TAPPS Division 2A and competes in basketball, soccer, track and volleyball.

Chinquapin holds one state championship. The 1982 basketball team, then coached by Bill Heinzerling.

Chinquapin's soccer team has been in the TAPPS State Final Four for the past three years. For the 2004-2005 season they were state runner-ups. The soccer team lost in the semi-finals of the 2001-2002, 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons.

Chinquapin's Junior Varsity team went undefeated with a 14-0 record in the 2006 season.