{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{infobox school | name = | former_name = Northwest Academy | address = 2700 West Sam Houston Parkway North | city = Houston, Texas | zipcode = 77043 | country = United States | coordinates = {{coord|29.8207|-95.5612|type:edu_region:US-TX|display=title,inline|format=dms}} | image = | type = | colors = {{color box|#0000FF|border=silver}}{{color box|#FFFFFF|border=silver}} Blue and white | founded = 1998 | enrollment = 470 | enrollment_as_of = 2021<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.privateschoolreview.com/houston-christian-high-school-profile|title = Profile School Review - Houston Christian School Profile| date=December 14, 2024 }}</ref> | footnotes = | website = {{URL|http://www.houstonchristian.org/}} | head_of_school = Leanne Messer<ref>[https://www.houstonchristian.org/news-detail?pk=1513227#:~:text=On%20behalf%20of%20the%20Board,search%20and%20prayerful%20deliberation%2C%20Ms. Ms. Leanne Messer named next Head of School] Gustafson, Mike. Houston Christian High School. January 4, 2023.</ref> | us_nces_school_id = A0109406 | lastupdate = August 03, 2023 }}
'''Houston Christian High School''' ('''HCHS''') is a private, coeducational, Southern Baptist day school which educates students in grades 9–12. HC is accredited by a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, and the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest. The {{convert|46 |acre|ha}} campus is located in Spring Branch in western Houston, Texas, at the intersection of Beltway 8 and Kempwood Drive, inside Beltway 8 and outside Interstate 610.<ref>"[http://sbmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sb_schools.pdf Schools]" (Map) ([https://archive.today/20210320033302/https://sbmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/sb_schools.pdf Archive]). Spring Branch Management District. Retrieved on June 19, 2015.</ref>
==History== {{Split section|Northwest Academy (Houston)|date=August 2023}} Houston Christian High School was founded in 1970 under the name '''Northwest Academy'''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alumni at HC {{!}} Forever A Mustang |url=https://www.houstonchristian.org/mustang-life/alumni |access-date=2026-02-14 |publisher=Houston Christian High School}}</ref> The city of Houston's extension of a street to the new school was cited as an example of government aid to a segregation academy, schools established with government funding by white parents to avoid enrolling their children in public schools that had become integrated.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ERIC_ED065646|title=ERIC ED065646: It's Not Over in the South: School Desegregation in Forty-Three Southern Cities Eighteen Years After Brown.|last=ERIC|date=May 1972|language=english|page=[https://archive.org/details/ERIC_ED065646/page/n141 126]}} - [https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED065646.pdf See copy at] Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) - [https://eric.ed.gov/?q=south&ff1=subSchool+Desegregation&pg=16&id=ED065646 See profile]</ref>
In 1998, Northwest Academy (K-12) split into First Baptist Academy and Houston Christian High School.{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} Multiple churches collectively cofounded Houston Christian to cater to residents of the western portions of Greater Houston.<ref name="Bairdincrease">{{cite news|last=Baird|first=Annette|page=7|title=Christian High sees increase in students|date=November 15, 2001|work=Houston Chronicle}} - Available from the Houston Public Library and ''Houston Chronicle'' archives, hosted by NewsBank.</ref> First Baptist Academy moved to a location next to Houston First Baptist Church,{{citation needed|date=April 2022}} and Houston Christian remained at the Northwest Academy site until its current facility opened.<ref name=PerezDanny>{{cite news|last=Perez|first=Danny|title=Houston Christian opens new campus Area churches collaborate for high school|date=September 6, 2000|page=9|work=Houston Chronicle}} - Available from the Houston Public Library and ''Houston Chronicle'' archives, hosted by NewsBank.</ref> In turn the British School of Houston occupied the former Northwest Academy/Houston Christian site.<ref name=BairdBritish>{{cite web |last=Baird |first=Annette |url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2000_3268445 |title=British school to expand to accommodate demand |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |date=2000-12-20 |page=ThisWeek 2 |access-date=2022-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020174341/http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2000_3268445 |archive-date=20 October 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In fall 1998 Houston Christian began operations. Metro National Corp. sold the land, for under $4,000,000, to a group that intended to use the land for the permanent Houston Christian location. The cost of building was, in 1998, thought to be approximately $20 million.<!--The Vara article at first states about 25 million, but it explains about 4 million was to buy the land, so the remainder was used to build the campus itself--> Construction was to begin in 1999.<ref name=VaraRichardCoalition>{{cite news|last=Vara|first=Richard|title=Coalition buys land for school|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=1998-04-25|page=Religion 1}} - Available from the Houston Public Library and ''Houston Chronicle'' archives, hosted by NewsBank.</ref> The school opened in the beginning of the school year in 2000. The following year multiple classrooms, a chapel, and the fine arts facilities were scheduled to open.<ref name=PerezDanny/> The ultimate cost was $11 million.<ref name="Bairdincrease"/>
Student enrollment increased from 155 in 1998 to 338 in 2001.<ref name=Bairdincrease/>
Circa 2018, the school decided to create a fine arts endowment from a donation worth $1,000,000.<ref>{{cite web|last=Maness|first=Tracy|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/neighborhood/memorial/news/article/School-reaps-benefits-of-bequest-A-D-Players-13329918.php|title=School reaps benefits of bequest; A.D. Players founder leaves $1 million to Houston Christian High School fine arts|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=2018-10-23|access-date=2022-04-28}}</ref>
==Campus== The campus has a total of {{convert|45|acre|ha}} of area.<ref name=PerezDanny/> It is along Beltway 8 and Kempwood Drive.<ref name=VaraRichardCoalition/> It is in proximity to Spring Shadows.<ref name=PerezDanny/> The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders is a program located on campus that opened in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shelnutt|first=Kate|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Houston-Christian-High-opens-campus-center-named-3495446.php|title=Houston Christian High opens campus center named for the Bushes|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=2012-04-19|access-date=2022-04-28}}</ref> The center offers courses for students to learn leadership skills and each student at the school receives at least 30 hours of leadership training.<ref>{{cite news|work=KHOU|url=https://www.khou.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/great-day-houston/houston-christian-high-school-introduces-indexed-tuition/285-cc9efd16-a536-4fb3-8732-b8d60f5c8858|date=February 4, 2019|title=Houston Christian High School introduces indexed tuition|access-date= April 13, 2022}}</ref>
The original campus had {{convert|14.5|acre|ha}} of area.<ref name=BairdBritish/>
==Athletics== The Houston Christian athletic teams, known as the Mustangs, have been members of the Southwest Preparatory Conference since 2012-13.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Jeff |date=November 29, 2011 |title=Athletics: Mustangs make move to SPC |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/memorial-sports/article/athletics-mustangs-make-move-to-spc-2307200.php |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=chron.com}}</ref> Prior to the 2012-13 school year, HCHS was a member of TAPPS, winning many state championships.
===Championships=== Includes both Northwest Academy and HCHS championships
{| class="wikitable" |+ !Sport !Year !Division !Source |- |Baseball |1982 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":1">[https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ResultsBaseball78-07.pdf Results (Baseball) 1978-2007] Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). September 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2023</ref> |- | |2000 |TAPPS 3A |<ref name=":1" /> |- | |2005 |TAPPS 5A |<ref name=":1" /> |- | |2008 |TAPPS 5A |<ref name=":2">[https://tapps.biz/athletics/football/results/ Previous Years Results] Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). Retrieved June 10, 2023. '''Directions''': Select a year in the first column (be sure to click on a text with the “ATH” abbreviation). These links are via download.</ref> |- | |2014 |SPC Division I |<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |title=SPC Champions: Spring Sports |url=https://spcsports.org/sports/2019/7/25/spc-spring-champs.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729062602/https://spcsports.org/sports/2019/7/25/spc-spring-champs.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.com}}</ref> |- |Boys Basketball |1979-80 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":6" /> |- | |2000-01 |TAPPS 4A |<ref name=":6">[https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ResultsBasketball78-07.pdf Results (Basketball) 1978-2007] Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). September 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2023</ref> |- | |2013-14 |SPC Division II |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |date=2014 |title=DII Boys Basketball |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/spcsports.org/documents/2019/7/20/2013_2014_Winter_B_BKB_2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729231551/https://s3.amazonaws.com/spcsports.org/documents/2019/7/20/2013_2014_Winter_B_BKB_2.pdf |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.org}}</ref> |- | |2017-18 |SPC |<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |title=SPC Champions: Winter Sports |url=https://spcsports.org/sports/2019/7/24/spc-winter-champs.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729060519/https://spcsports.org/sports/2019/7/24/spc-winter-champs.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.org}}</ref> |- | |2018-19 |SPC |<ref name=":4" /> |- | |2020-21 |SPC South Zone |<ref name=":4" /> |- | |2022-23 |SPC 4A |<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |date=2023 |title=Winter 2022-23 SPC Championships |url=https://spcsports.org/sports/2022/8/9/2022-23WinterChamps.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729061748/https://spcsports.org/sports/2022/8/9/2022-23WinterChamps.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.org}}</ref> |- |Girls Basketball |1981-82 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":6" /> |- | |1983-84 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":6" /> |- | |1988-89 |T.A.P.S. Class AAA |<ref name=":6" /> |- | |2021-22 |SPC |<ref name=":4" /> |- | |2022-23 |SPC 4A |<ref name=":5" /> |- |Cross Country |2022-23 |Girls 3A |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |date=2022 |title=Fall 2022 SPC Championships |url=https://spcsports.org/sports/2022/8/9/2022fallchamps.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729061236/https://spcsports.org/sports/2022/8/9/2022fallchamps.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.org}}</ref> |- |Football |1974 |T.A.P.S. (Unofficial Championship) |<ref name=":0">[https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ResultsFootballThru2007.pdf All-Time Football Champions] Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). September 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2023</ref> |- | |1975 |T.A.P.S. (Unofficial Championship) |<ref name=":0" /> |- | |1979 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":0" /> |- | |1982 |T.A.P.S. Division I |<ref name=":0" /> |- |Softball |2013 |SPC Division II |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |date=2013 |title=Division II - D2 Softball |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/spcsports.org/documents/2019/7/20/2013_Spring_G_SB_2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729232121/https://s3.amazonaws.com/spcsports.org/documents/2019/7/20/2013_Spring_G_SB_2.pdf |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.org}}</ref> |- |Boys Tennis |2018 |SPC |<ref name=":3" /> |- | |2019 |SPC |<ref name=":3" /> |- |Girls Tennis |2023 |SPC 3A |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Southwest Preparatory Conference |date=2023 |title=Spring 2023 SPC Championships |url=https://spcsports.org/sports/2022/8/9/2023springchamps.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729063124/https://spcsports.org/sports/2022/8/9/2023springchamps.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=July 29, 2023 |website=spcsports.com}}</ref> |- |Girls Track & Field |1981 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":7">[https://tapps.biz/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/ResultsStateTrack.pdf Results (State Track) 1978-2007] Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS). September 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2023</ref> |- | |1982 |T.A.P.S. (Statewide) |<ref name=":7" /> |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|http://www.houstonchristianhs.org}} {{Spring Branch, Houston}} {{Houston High Schools}} {{Private schools in the Houston metropolitan area}} {{Houston Area Independent Schools}} {{Religion in Houston}} {{Southwest Preparatory Conference}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Independent Schools Association of the Southwest Category:Private high schools in Harris County, Texas Category:Private high schools in Houston Category:Educational institutions established in 1998 Category:Christian schools in Houston Category:Segregation academies in Texas Category:Spring Branch, Houston Category:1998 establishments in Texas