Tomball High School

Tomball Senior High School is an accredited public high school in the city of Tomball, Texas. Until 2011, it was the only high school in the Tomball Independent School District, which serves nearly 9,500 students. The high school was newly remodeled (as of 2005) and the cougar statue in front of the school was donated by an artist in Magnolia.

As population in the Tomball area and schools increases, Tomball voters have recently approved a $198 million bond which will fund renovations to Tomball High and other existing schools, as well as the construction of a new high school, Tomball Memorial High School (construction to begin in 2009) which will eventually help to alleviate some of the population pressures on Tomball High School.

History

In 1908, school was first held in Tomball in the Woodmen of the World building, which was a one room framed building that educated nearly 15 students. The community soon made plans to build a school. Land on Cherry Street was donated, and by 1910 a school was built. The two-story red brick schoolhouse, which was part of the Harris County School System, consisted of two classrooms downstairs and an auditorium upstairs. By 1916, 62 students attended the school. As of 1928, the community grew and consisted of four schools. By 1931, the district employed five teachers.

By 1935, the original schoolhouse was torn down and replaced with a new buff brick building that contained grades one through eleven. Two years later, a petition was presented to the Harris County School Board requesting that Tomball have its own school district. The petition was granted, which transferred all funds and debts to the Tomball Independent School District. The school on Cherry Street had grown so much that by 1938 a second campus was needed. Therefore, the district built a new red brick high school with a gymnasium and a swimming pool, which was located in the 700 block of Main Street.

In 1961, the original high school on Main Street was destroyed after an electrical fire in the school's attic engulfed the building. The Houston Fire Department responded, where the fire fighters dropped a hose into the swimming pool to extinguish the flame. School was dismissed for four days. Churches and other businesses throughout the community offered their facilities so the high school students could complete the school year.

By 1974, students began attending classes at the new Tomball High School on Sandy Lane, later renamed Quinn Road. Continued growth over the decades meant there was a need for additional classrooms. In 2000, voters approved a $98.4 million bond referendum that enabled the district to renovate Tomball High School.

Since that time, Tomball High School has increased its enrollment to over 2,900 students, and earned a Recognized rating from the Texas Education Agency, which determines state accountability ratings based on data collected via the Academic Excellence Indicator System. Tomball High School has also met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards under the federal accountability system. AYP ratings are based on student performance on the TAKS test, the percentage of students participating in the assessment process, and performance on additional indicators such as student attendance and graduation rates.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008 Joanie Gill, an adviser, said that at least half of the student body buys a yearbook. She said obtaining a yearbook "is a tradition. It helps that we are still the only public high school in Tomball. Our junior highs have yearbooks so students and their families learn about them then, and we try to get as many kids in the book as much as possible."^[1]

Athletics

Tomball High School is a member of Region 22-4A of the University Interscholastic League.

Extracurricular activities

• NJROTC
• Tomball High School Student Council
• Tomball Choir
• Tomball Business Professionals of America
• Technology Students Association Sponsor Mark Henry Instructor Architecture and Construction
• Tomball STAGE Theater Program
• National Honor Society
• Art Club
• Tomball Interact Club
• Future Farmers of America
• Spanish Club
• German Club
• Charms Drill Team
• Health Occupations Students of America

Notable alumni

• Christopher S. Adams Jr. is an American author and retired United States Air Force General officer.
• Chad Brannon, TV actor best known for his role in General Hospital.
• Jimmy Butler, professional basketball player for the Chicago Bulls.
• Mike Eli, Lead singer of the Eli Young Band.
• Chris Herrmann, professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins.
• Troy Patton, professional baseball player for the Baltimore Orioles.
• Drake Britton, professional baseball player for the Boston Redsox.
• Jimmy Needham, Contemporary Christian Musician.
• David Phelps, Christian Vocalist.

References

External links

• Tomball High School
• Tomball High School Alumni Association THSAA.org
• Baseball America
• THS Lady Cougars Soccer
• Tomball STAGE Theater Program
• Tomball Cougar Pride Marching Band
• Tomball Cougar Claw