The largest and most impressive part of Houston School is its newest dropout prevention program, Houston High School, a credit recovery program for students in grades 9-12. The students attend either from 8 a.m. to noon or from noon to 4 p.m. and are free to attend more than a half-day if they wish. Many of the Houston High School students have jobs, some of them working full-time. We want to do everything we can to make it convenient for people wanting to come here, said Tommy Chatham, Houston School principal. Houston High offers credit in all core courses English, math, science, and history along with limited electives.
Students work on only two subjects at a time, moving on when they have mastered each.
We have kids who were used to taking seven classes. This is better for them to manage. If they finish a half a credit in three weeks, they see it immediately. They get immediate gratification, said Chatham. The oldest graduate so far was 23.