25-26 Houston High School Enrollment Application

Welcome to the Houston High School Application Process

Houston High School offers a world of opportunity for students seeking academic excellence, leadership development, and a world-class high school experience. With multiple pathways to enrollment, including Open Enrollment and specialized Academy Programs, this application is your first step toward joining one of Tennessee's top-performing schools.

Whether you are applying for open enrollment or aiming to join our Honors Academy or Leadership Academy, this form guides you through the process. Let us help your student unlock their potential and thrive in a dynamic environment tailored to inspire success.

Take the next step and become part of the Houston High legacy today!

New Student Enrollment at Houston High School is guided by a priority system to ensure fairness and clarity. Here’s how it works:
- Top Priority: Students zoned for Houston High School are given top priority. As part of GMSD’s zoned school system, these students are automatically granted seats at HHS. If you are unsure, please use our Interactive School Zone Locator Map to check your address.
- Children of GMSD and Germantown City Employees: Children of Germantown employees are given enrollment priority as we seek to support the families of those who make GMSD an exceptional place to work.
- Academy Enrollment: Students accepted into the Honors or Leadership Academy gain priority in the enrollment process.
- Siblings of Current Students: Siblings of current GMSD students are prioritized to help keep families together, which remains a core value of GMSD.
- Additional Priorities: Enrollment is open to non-resident children living in Shelby County, other Tennessee counties, and even out-of-state residents. Seats not filled by the above priorities are awarded through a lottery system. Please note that, in the 2024-2025 school year, no transfers were granted outside of the enrollment priorities.
Email*
Address to which we will send the confirmation email with a summary of your application details.

Demographic Information
Student Name*

First NameMiddle NameLast Name
Student Email*
example@example.com
Student Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Student Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Gender*

FemaleMale
Home Phone*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent (1) Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent (1) Email*
example@example.com
Parent (2)Email
Optional/Alternate Email
Current Grade Level*
*For the 2024-2025 School Year.
Expected Grade Level for the 2025-2026 School Year*
Current School*
If not currently in Shelby County, please list the city and state of the school.
Does the applicant currently have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)?*

YesNo
Does the applicant currently have an 504 plan?*

YesNo
Has the applicant student been expelled or retained within the past year or is the student currently suspended/expelled/remanded from another school or school district?*

YesNo
Does the applicant currently reside within the Houston High School attendance zone as a Germantown resident?*

Enrollment Pathways to Houston High School

Please review the information below very carefully.
Please select the sentence that best describes your child's non-resident enrollment priority.

Either parent/guardian is employed by the Germantown Municipal School District.Either parent/guardian is employed by the City of Germantown (e.g., Germantown Fire, Germantown Police, City Hall).The student currently attends a GMSD school (during the 2024-2025 school year).The student has a sibling currently attending a GMSD school (during the 2024-2025 school year).None of the above.

Open Enrollment at Houston High School
Parent/Guardian name who is employed by GMSD?
Which building/school does the parent/guardian work? Please choose N/A if a parent/guardian does not work for GMSD.
Please list at least one sibling who currently attends a GMSD school. Failure to list a sibling may result in the application not being processed correctly.
Parent/Guardian name who is employed by the City of Germantown?
Please indicate where parent/guardian works. Failure to list your place of employment within the City of Germantown may result in the application not being processed correctly.
Open Enrollment and Academy Application Disclaimer

To be considered for enrollment in a Germantown Municipal School District (GMSD) school, an application must be submitted for each school in which you are interested. Applications will be processed and prioritized in accordance with GMSD Policies 6.206 and 6.2061. Due to current student numbers and available space, transfers will be limited.

If your student will be in grades 9-12 for the 2025-2026 school year, this application must be completed. For students in grades K-8, please visit our district website for the appropriate application.

Tuition Fees

If you reside outside Germantown, TN, but within Shelby County, a tuition fee of $519 per year applies. Some exceptions apply and may be found here.

Non-Shelby County residents will have additional fees: $5,413 for in-state, out-of-county residents and $11,743 for out-of-state residents. Exceptions may apply.

Key Acknowledgments

I understand that if my transfer application is approved, I am responsible for payment of tuition as outlined above.

I have read and understand GMSD Transfer Policies 6.206 and 6.2061.

If my student is currently attending a GMSD school under an Eligible Circumstance transfer for the 2024-2025 school year, I must complete this application to maintain enrollment.

For further assistance, contact the Office of Student Services at (901) 752-7889.
I have read and acknowledge the text above in regards to open enrollment.*

Clear

Apply to Our Academies

Houston High School offers the Honors Academy and the Leadership Academy, open to both residents of Germantown and non-residents. The advantage of being part of the academies is that they offer a focused educational experience tailored to your interests and goals. Joining an academy offers an exclusive opportunity to engage deeply in your areas of interest alongside fellow students who are your passion and drive, fostering a unique environment for specialized learning and personal growth. The Honors Academy provides rigorous academic challenges and opportunities to earn college credits, while the Leadership Academy emphasizes developing leadership skills, fostering community impact, and enhancing personal growth within a small cohort of students with similar goals.

The Houston High Honors Academy challenges students to pursue excellence both in academic coursework and school and community leadership. Members of the Academy have chosen to distinguish themselves academically and to participate actively in service to the school and local community.Through the Honors Academy experience, students cultivate life skills such as leadership, cooperation, organization, and responsibility. During their senior year, Honors Academy members will complete a capstone project as a culminating experience that will carry them beyond their high school years.

Admission to the Honors Academy will be determined by a combination of academic performance, standardized test scores, application responses, a writing sample, an interview, and satisfactory discipline and consistent attendance.

The Houston High Leadership Academy is a dynamic program developing students' abilities to lead, collaborate, and contribute positively to the school community. Leadership Academy students are deeply involved in the school community through both academic and extracurricular pursuits, providing them opportunities to hone their leadership skills and work to achieve the goals they set for themselves. During their senior year, Leadership Academy members will complete a capstone project as a culminating experience that will carry them beyond their high school years.

Admission to the Leadership Academy is based on a student interview, academic performance, the Houston Way video submitted by the student, and a record of satisfactory discipline with consistent attendance.

Students will be invited to interview for either academy based on the application, writing sample/video, grades, and test scores. Once the application is submitted, students will be contacted with further instructions.

Students are encouraged to apply for the academy that they fill will best enhance their future goals. If a student is interested in both academies, the student can apply for both. Those who qualify and apply for both academies will have the opportunity during the interview to clarify their priorities with our admissions team as students are only permitted to be in one academy.

If you have any questions, please call our admissions office at 901-756-2370 or email HHSadmissions@gmsdk12.org

Houston High School accepts applications to each academy year-round.
The student is applying for enrollment in a Houston High School Academy (Honors Academy or Leadership Academy).*

Personal Information

This section gives our admissions team a glimpse of the applicant outside of the core academic setting. Please make sure the applicant personally provides these answers. Answers should be approximately 3-5 sentences in length.
What class(es) outside of your core classes do you enjoy? What do you enjoy most about it? *
(art, band, choir, creative writing, STEM, gym, foreign language, etc.)
What activities are you involved in outside of the school day?*
(clubs, athletics, hobbies, organizations, etc.)
One important aspect of the academy experience is community service. Describe a community service project you have been involved in at school or in the community. What did you learn from that experience?*
Describe a time when you have exhibited leadership at school or in the community.*
Integrity means being true to ourselves and being honest, upright, and decent in our dealings with others. Describe a time when you have exhibited integrity even when it might have been unpopular. What did you learn from that experience?*

Honors Academy Writing Prompt
Cell Phone Use and Its Impact on Learning and Well-Being

In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the impact of cellphones on students' learning, social interactions, and mental health. The articles you have read explore different perspectives on this issue, including the effects of banning cellphones in schools, the relationship between cellphone use and boredom, and the challenges of managing digital distractions.

Using evidence from the three articles provided, respond to the following questions in a single essay:
- Should schools implement strict cellphone bans during the school day? Why or why not?
- What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of such policies for students' academic performance, social skills, and emotional well-being?
Sources:
1. How a Connecticut middle school won the battle against cellphones
2. Students scoff at a school cellphone ban, until they really begin to think about it
3. Scientists say mindless scrolling through online videos makes boredom worse

In your response, make sure to:
- Clearly state your position on the issue.
- Use specific examples and quotes from at least two of the articles to support your argument. Be sure to identify your sources by the name of the publication. If you use outside sources, please identify them in your essay and include a list of sources at the end of your essay in MLA format.
- You may incorporate specific examples from your own knowledge and experience.
- Explain how the evidence supports your reasoning.
Your essay should be well-organized and demonstrate critical thinking. This is an opportunity to showcase your ability to analyze multiple sources and present a thoughtful, evidence-based argument that is your original work. Your response will be evaluated on your understanding of the articles and on the quality of your writing.

Your essay should be between 500-600 words in length. After composing your essay in a word processing program, you will upload the document as a .pdf or .doc attachment.
Writing Sample Upload*

Your writing sample will be evaluated on focus, organization and structure, use of evidence, level of analysis, and language mechanics (punctuation, spelling, and grammar).
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Leadership Academy Video Prompt
Instructions: Create a 60-second video that introduces who you are and how you hope to grow as a leader at Houston High School. Your video should reflect your unique story and aspirations, focusing on the following key points:

Why Houston High School? What draws you to Houston? Express how the Leadership Academy aligns with your future academic and career goals.

Impact and Legacy: Reflect on the type of impact you wish to have at Houston High School. How do you see yourself making a difference in our community?

Guidelines:
- Your video should showcase your leadership potential in a professional way yet creative, reflecting your personal narrative.
- Submissions such as sports highlights, unrelated content, or general videos that do not directly address the prompt will not meet the requirements of this application.
- Ensure clarity and conciseness, as the time limit is strictly one minute. Videos longer than 60 seconds will not be considered.
- Videos don't need professional production but should maintain a standard of quality (i.e. make sure our team can both see and hear you clearly in the video). Videos filmed on phones are perfectly acceptable.
- Consider both content and presentation—let your personality and enthusiasm shine through!
Note: This video is a crucial component of your application. It offers a window into your aspirations, values, and potential contributions to the Houston High School community. We look forward to seeing your story unfold!
Upload your Leadership Academy Video Submission Here.*

.MP4 or .Mov files only
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Application Submission Page
"You're Almost There!"

Congratulations on reaching the final step of your application. Before you submit, please take a moment to review your application and ensure all information is accurate and complete.

All applications for open enrollment will be processed by the Office of Student Services.

All applications for the Houston High School Academies will be processed by Principal Hallie Ross and Academies Director Abigail Simone.

Final Acknowledgement:

Honesty Declaration: By submitting this application, you affirm that all information provided is accurate and truthful.

Data Privacy: We respect your privacy. All information provided will be used solely for application processing and will not be shared with third parties without your consent.

Post-Submission Information: After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email with a summary of your application details.

Contact Information: For any further queries or to schedule a school tour, please feel free to contact our admissions office at 901-756-2370.

Thank you for applying to attend Houston High School. We look forward to reviewing your application and learning more about you in the coming weeks.
Should be Empty:

	100-90	89-80	79-70	69-60	not applicable
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Foreign Language

Welcome to the Houston High School Application Process

Demographic Information

Enrollment Pathways to Houston High School

Open Enrollment at Houston High School

Open Enrollment and Academy Application Disclaimer

Apply to Our Academies

Academic Background

Current Grades:

TCAP/EOC ELA and MATH Score Reports from the 2023-2024 school year

Additional Academic Information

Standardized Testing Information

Personal Information

Honors Academy Writing Prompt

Leadership Academy Video Prompt

Application Submission Page

"You're Almost There!"

Final Acknowledgement: