| Houston High School | |
|---|---|
| Motto | "The Best Getting Better" |
| Type | Public High School |
| Principal | Dr. Leisa Justus |
| Faculty | 130 (2011) |
| Students | Approximately 1700 |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Location | 9755 Wolf River Blvd., Germantown, Tennessee, USA |
| Colors | Black & Silver |
| Mascot | Mustang |
| Newspaper | 'The Pony Express' |
| Website | Houston High |
Houston High School is a fully accredited public high school located in Germantown, Tennessee, serving students in grades 9-12. The school is one of eight high schools currently operating in the Shelby County School District. The principal is Mrs. Leisa Justus, the vice-principal is Mrs. Evelyn Harris and the assistant principals are Rob Taylor, Kathryn Jones, Eddie Walker, and Kyle Cherry. Houston Middle School, Southwind Middle School, and Schilling Farms Middle School are the main feeder schools to Houston High.
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Houston High School was established in 1989 in order to help educate students due to the rapid development of the Germantown area. Throughout its relatively short history, Houston High has made significant strides in both educational and non-educational aspects. Houston has led the entire Shelby County Schools district with the highest graduation rate and one of the highest average ACT and SAT test scores among public schools in the entire state of Tennessee. Houston is also well-known for its athletics, receiving the "Best of the Preps" recognition in the Shelby County Schools for the last eleven years (1999–2010). In 2004, Houston High School added an annex to accommodate the rapid influx of students.
On November 27, 1994 a strong F3 tornado tore through the school and the surrounding area, causing significant damage to the school. Large sections of wall, windows and parts of the roof were severely damaged by the tornado. The damage was so great, in fact, the school was condemned and the next month was spent making repairs.
The Houston Mustangs compete in the 5-A Athletics Division, the state's highest classification and have won the "Best of the Preps" Athletic Award for 11 straight years, from 1999 to 2009. The Houston football team is a perennial playoff team and has been a State Championship contender in the playoffs 10 times in the last 12 years with 2 state semi-finalist appearances in 1998 and 2001. The football program consistently produces college players, with the most notable alumni being New England Patriots Defensive Tackle David Nugent [1] and Washington Redskins Defensive End Jeremy Jarmon.[2]
The Houston baseball team is also a perennial state power and won the Tennessee State Championship in 1996 and 2005. Former Mustang pitcher Matt Cain is currently in the starting rotation for the San Francisco Giants.[3]
The Houston Cross Country and Track program, led by legendary coach George Gibson, is one of the best programs in the Southeastern United States. They win numerous competitions every year and won the Tennessee Cross Country State Championship in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2008. They also won the Tennessee Track State Championship in 2005. George Gibson is no longer the cross country coach, and Aaron Martens has replaced him.
The Houston Soccer Teams, led by Mike Irby (until 2008) and David Wolff, won the Tennessee Soccer State Championships in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2010 and the National Soccer Championships in 1998 and 1999. The soccer program has also produced numerous college athletes and a few professionals, including long time MLS players Carey Talley and Ross Paule
Houston High School was one of two Shelby County Schools (the other being Millington High School) that changed over to a trimester schedule in the 2010-2011 school year.[4]
The mission of Houston High School is to maintain high academic standards by challenging students to master skills that will enable them to become productive members of society.[5]