Houston High School

Posted: September 20, 2025

I recently graduated from HHS as of 2025, and I wouldn't wish the experience I had on my worst enemies. The classrooms in the History hall upstairs smell of a gas leak, the halls take 2 to 3 times the amount of traffic they were designed to, and the staff, especially the counselors, don't seem to care one way or the other about their students. As for SPED, I didn't even get a paraprofessional after my 9th grade year, because, and I quote, i was "too mature." Mind you, I'm autistic and ADHD, so I most definitely needed a paraprofessional. As for other disability accommodations, such as for those in wheelchairs, there's only one elevator in each building, which would be fine if the buildings weren't massive and overcrowded. As for bullying situations, there's really no escape, especially if you're not "normal." Teachers don't seem to care about their students until a parent contacts them. Also, the main building hasn't been remodeled or expanded since the 1990s. Parking for students is basically nonexistent, and what little parking there is is given out on a first-come-first-served basis. As for the Student Government Association, they have basically no voice in terms of school control. Class-to-class travel times are a mere seven minutes, and that's not nearly enough for the amount of students attending the school.

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: September 20, 2025

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

We moved to Germantown for the schools, and had one daughter (freshman) go to Houston High and the other (senior) the Germantown Online Academy. Two vastly different experiences. Our senior in online program - fabulous. Houston High was a terrible experience for our 15 year old who made great grades until attending Houston. First of all, she was put in classes that were not appropriate because so many were full. She was in a Stem honors class with juniors, with a teacher who had two classes at the same time and spent her time yelling or telling the students not making good grades what a waste of her time they were. Science teacher who played videos instead of teaching. She was put in a study hall instead of a social studies class and I was told that could not be changed. Chosen electives were not available (full) so she had to go into said STEM class mentioned above. Lots of cliques (which I realize at that age is normal) Hard for a newcomer to integrate . When initially reaching out to principal, both he AND the 9th grade principal called me and said they would help. Promised to introduce her to groups, reach out to said teachers, look at schedule. I followed up a few days later when I received no call or email as promised. No response. FIVE emails to 9th grade principal over a period of 2 weeks or so. A voicemail to her office. Not one response. From anyone. We started to consider what else to do - 9th grade is a critical year and we needed to get her into appropriate classes so we once again reached out for help to guidance. She couldn't really help because nowhere else to put her 3 mos into the year - except another study hall, which obviously wasn't an option. I emailed 9th grade principal one last time -no response again. None of these emails were rude or demanding - simply asking for help. Following up on the resources she said she would provide. The only person who helped through all of this was the nurse - of all people (who was AMAZING and acted in a counselor type role when she realized the difficulties we were having) and her math teacher who was also outstanding and fully understood the decision we made when we pulled her for home school. I emailed the principals again the day before and told them the decision was made due to lack of response. No reply. She is now attending home school tutorials with qualified teachers, actually learning, and thriving again. Thank goodness for the awesome homeschool community.

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: March 16, 2022

Posted: October 23, 2021

This school isn’t for African American children! The principals don’t respond to emails. My daughter had a terrible experience here. She was bullied because of her hair texture and glasses. No diversity and the children who are black have been around white people so long that they act like them too. I’m sorry I even enrolled my daughter there. She has been withdrawn and doing extremely well. They also have their picks and chooses on he they pick to play sports!

Posted: October 23, 2021

Posted: October 23, 2021

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Posted: October 23, 2021

Posted: December 9, 2019

This is a great school and I would recommend it to parents. However I think that since this school does focus so much on academic excellence (their motto is “Excellence. Always”) students often deal with mental health issues that aren’t taken as seriously as they should. Everyone (faculty, parents, students) needs to make sure there is a balance between school and fun. It is easy to get caught up in the pressure to overachieve.

Posted: December 9, 2019

Depending on whether your student takes honors, AP, or standard classes the experience will be different. The homework was fine, but I feel that most schools (not just this one) put too much emphasis on homework.

Posted: December 9, 2019

As a student I took mostly honors or AP classes, but when I took a standard class it felt like the teachers viewed their students as underachievers. They made their coursework overly easy and didn’t encourage students to unlock their potential. Honors or AP students seemed to assume their students could handle much more, which did prepare me for college, but I wish they kept their students wellness in mind a bit more. Overall in my experience the teachers did a good job at preparing me for college and helping me learn.

Posted: December 9, 2019

Teachers generally like to remind their students to have integrity in their coursework and respect for their teachers and staff, but I feel that compassion is taught slightly less due to the fact that it could be assumed these values are taught more at a younger age and students should know better at this point. It doesn’t retract from my score, as I do believe these values are present in the school. However, many of these students come in with strong character, and I am not sure how effective the school is at correcting bad behavior.

Posted: December 9, 2019

The principal, vice principal, assistants, etc have all been incredibly nice in my experience. As to whether they have a good influence on their student body, I would agree as I have seen them spend time in the lobby welcoming students and getting to know them.

Posted: December 9, 2019

Teachers have verbally expressed their willingness to change their lesson plan to accommodate students who learn more efficiently in a different way.

Posted: December 9, 2019

I personally haven’t seen anyone be bullied or have been myself, but I have heard stories of some people having a hard time dealing with it in spite of letting faculty know.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Daughter just graduated after 4 years at HHS. GREAT teachers and huge number of AP and dual enrollment classes. My daughter entered college with over 30 hours of credit. Very high average ACT school (highest ACT average school district in the state of TN).

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

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Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Amazing number of classes with teachers, coaches and administrators who really care about their students. Our kids really excelled in and out of the classroom because of the leadership taught here.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

10/10. Houston really helped me grow as a person and student and prepared me for the next step in my life.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Many different levels of academic challenge are offered here.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

Extremely competent teachers at this school with great organization and ability to teach.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Last year the school held a track meet for special needs kids within a track meet, and the special needs kids were all helped and cheered on by the other athletes and a full stadium of spectators. It was an amazing sight. Kids of all abilities are honored and made to feel part of this high school's community. I've witnessed the same at football games.

Posted: August 13, 2018

Posted: August 13, 2018

With two kids passing through this school, I have seen an expanding array of AP and dual-enrollment classes offered. Teachers are approachable and helpful. Staff is well trained and kind. The extracurriculars are numerous and excellent. The talent of the kids at the school is astounding. The full scholarships offered to the graduating seniors from this high school at schools like Vanderbilt, Rhodes College, the service branches and flagship state universities is amazing. Took my kids out of a nearby top-notch private school to attend this gem of a public high school. Would recommend it to any family.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Posted: March 3, 2018

Teachers don't care if you're different- they stick with however they want to teach. A lot of the times, they don't give slack for missed sick days or field trips. A lot is expected from very average people.

Posted: March 3, 2018

There is not much bullying in HHS. There is teasing, but it is lighthearted fun. The teachers are a lot meaner than the students. The only real bullying I can think of are the occasional fights in bathrooms.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Posted: March 3, 2018

It's all about the numbers on papers. We do not get time to build ourselves as people.

Posted: March 3, 2018

It's okay. Most things are bearable except the required classes. Many people took classes in middle school which were supposed to count as HS credits. Those people still have to take additional classes. We are also required to take two years of a language. These things fill up so many class slots that could be otherwise utilized to help build students' FUTURE CAREERS.

Posted: March 3, 2018

Posted: September 29, 2016

As any parent living in Shelby Co. knows, finding a good public school here is a trick. My daughter had attended private school until Houston, and I moved to Germantown for the purpose of sending her here. Overall, I believe she is getting a superior education to her friends in area Catholic schools (such as St. Benedict, St. Agnes, and Christian Bros.). I can't comment on the other private schools. Houston provides a safe environment and a good variety of courses. However, the quality of teachers varies. She has had a few who were exemplary, but most seem average. The guidance counselors are so-so. The school is very large, but the students seem friendly and my daughter enjoys going here. I wish I could give it 5 stars, but I don't know that that's possible for a public school in this part of the country. I would like to see class size reduced, more communication from teachers, and extra-curriculars opened to students who are not star athletes, etc. (Even to take freshmen art, students must "apply" with a portfolio.)

Posted: November 14, 2015

Houston High school has been an all around amazing experience for me, the faculty and staff is very organized and orderly. The classes are very advanced and in the end pay off. As long as you abide by the rules and if you're respectful towards staff you will have an excellent experience. Named one of the number one high schools in America by Newsweek. That's an amazing achievement in my opinion. But if you chose Houston be prepared for lots of studying. Once again every class is taken seriously and you'll only succeed if you try. Good luck! :)

Posted: September 29, 2015

Posted: September 29, 2015

Posted: September 29, 2015

Posted: September 29, 2015

Love this school! The Honors Academy really prepares students for college. The service component is a great addition to what they are receiving academically.

Posted: March 7, 2015

Our third child now attends Houston High! Our first two graduated from here. We love this school!

Posted: March 5, 2015

We moved to Houston High School this year from another Shelby County School. My child's experience has been nothing but Amazing! The rigor of the classes, academic drive of students and enthusiasm of the staff have made this, possibly hard move, awesome! We would highly recommend Houston High School to any family looking for a top notch public education. We would put it up against any private school education!

Posted: August 7, 2014

Academically, the most objective guage would be the students average ACT score for seniors. Houstons are VERY high. Probably the highest of Shelby county schools. Possibly better than many private schools. My son graduated two years ago and was ranked 125 of around 430 students. And he had a weighted GPA of 3.7. He had a 30 on his ACT. I have a Journalism major from an SEC school and he was a better writer in High School than after I graduated from college. He had a 34 in English on his ACT. He hated his 9th grade English teacher. She was brutally tough teaching classes as hard or harder than most community colleges. Guess what. He is an English major in college and it is all easy for him now. My kids feel safe there. The teachers, as always, vary in quality. Every semester they are going to have one mediocre teacher and every year or two they will have a bad one. Just like every other school in the world. But, on the whole the teachers range from good to fantastic. We were very happy. The administration is accomodating. If you child is emotionally and academically prepared there is a good chance you experience will be very good and you will be pleased.