ACADEMIC 2026-2027 PROFILE Leanne Messer, M.Ed., J.D. Head of School
Carol Bartels, M.A., LPC Counseling Director cbartels@houstonchristian.org
Darren Price, Ed.D. Principal
Dedra Arthur, M.Ed. Counselor darthur@houstonchristian.org
Todd Prince, M.Ed. Dean of Students
Sara Horelica, M.Ed. Counselor shorelica@houstonchristian.org
Rochelle Moore, M.Ed. Dean of Faculty
Jay Mcillece Counselor jmcillece@houstonchristian.org
Valerie Landry Registrar vlandry@houstonchristian.org
Mission
Houston Christian High School is a college preparatory school dedicated to the highest academic standards for the development of moral character, the enrichment of spiritual lives, and the perpetuation of growth in Christian ideals.
About
Houston Christian High School (HC) is a college preparatory school with a mission to serve students of all ability levels who are capable of a rigorous college preparatory curriculum. HC admits students regardless of their religious beliefs. Head of School, Leanne Messer, M.Ed., J.D., and Principal, Darren Price, Ed.D., lead the school, composed of 59 teachers, 68% of whom hold advanced degrees. Enrollment for 2026-27 is 616 students in grades 9—12 (147 seniors, 170 juniors, 159 sophomores, 142 freshmen), a minority population of 35% and 35% of students qualified for indexed tuition rates.
2700 W SAM HOUSTON PKWY N, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77043 | 713-580-6000 | WWW.HOUSTONCHRISTIAN.ORG | CEEB 443-409
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Houston Christian High School engages students to become impactful leaders through an empowering, dynamic education within a spiritual worldview. Student enrollment for the 2026-27 academic school year. Freshmen 142
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
Sophomores 159
English 4 Math 4 (or 3**) Science 4 (or 3**) Social Sciences 3 World Language 2
Juniors 170
Seniors 147
Enrollment Total 618
Fine Arts Electives P.E./Athletics Biblical Studies
1 5 (or 6**) 1 4
TOTAL CREDITS
28
All diplomas meet or exceed Texas Uniform Admission Policy and the distinguished level of achievement. **Student may take 3 Math + 4 Science or 4 Math + 3 Science + 6 Electives
RANKING POLICY
GRADING SCALE
GPA PERCENTAGE OF 2026 CLASS
Grades are reported on a 100-point scale. GPA and class rank are weighted, but grades on report cards and transcripts reflect the actual grade earned before weight is added. AP and Honors/DSP courses earn an additional 5 and 4 points, respectively, and are only added into the GPA calculation. Due to small class sizes, selective admissions, and a college preparatory curriculum, HC provides a numerical rank for the top 10% of the class and is non-ranking for all other students.
LETTER
NUMERIC
A
90 – 100+
B
80 – 89
C
75 – 79
D
70 – 74
F
69 – AND BELOW
GPA Distribution - Class of 2026 100 + 5% 98-99 95-97 92-94 89-91 86-88 83-85 5% 80-82 3% 77-79 0%
AP SCHOLARS FOR 2025-26
12% 33% 16% 15% 11%
32 AP Scholars 18 AP Scholars with Honor 45 AP Scholars with Distinction
92%
AP Pass Rate
ACCREDITATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
HC is accredited by Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, Cognia and on the Texas Education Agency’s list of approved schools. HC is a member of College Board, Texas Association for College Admission Counseling, National Association for College Admission Counseling, Educational Records Bureau, Southwest Preparatory Conference, Houston Area Independent Schools, Council for Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA) and the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals.
CURRICULUM & CODE OF CONDUCT
The HC curriculum supports a standard of excellence leading students to maximize their academic, spiritual, and leadership potential. Sixteen AP courses are offered across the disciplines. Students receive lessons on leadership in every course. An optional diploma endorsement is offered in Leadership Studies. Students are encouraged to complete community service each year of attendance. HC requires a strong code of conduct and holds students accountable for behavior on and off campus.
ACADEMIC PROFILE
CLASS OF 2026
105 SENIORS
SAT Average (79% reporting)
1218
ACT Average (51% reporting)
27
Mid 50% Range SAT and ACT
1120 - 1320 and 24 - 31
Top 10% SAT/ACT Average
1429/29
GPA Distribution after 8 Semesters
Top 10%: 99.0536 – 102.589 Entire Class: 81 – 102.589
NMSQT Recognition for 2022-2026 8 Semi-finalists
MUSTANGS AT THE NEXT LEVEL
AP COURSE OFFERINGS & TRENDS
41% 20% 96%
Attend Out of State Colleges Attend Private Colleges Attend Four-Year Colleges
Biology Calculus AB Calculus BC Chemistry Computer Science A Computer Science Principles English Literature English Language
28 Commended
4% 9% 60%
Attend Two-Year Colleges Participate in Collegiate Sports Reporting Scholarship Offers Totaling $14.3 Million
Environmental Science Physics C - Mechanics Spanish Language Statistics Studio Art US Government US History World History
Students must be approved to take AP courses. Students in AP courses are required to take the AP Exam.
COURSE OFFERINGS
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARS PROGRAM
2025-2026: 92% earned scores of 3 or higher 207 students in 10th-12th grade took 409 exams
2023-24: 92% earned scores of 3 or higher 185 students in 10th-12th grade took 364 exams
2024-25: 90% earned scores of 3 or higher 203 students in 10th-12th grade took 409 exams
2022-23: 87% earned scores of 3 or higher 186 students in 10th-12th grade took 360 exams
English Math Bible Social Sciences
World Languages Science Fine Arts Electives
Course Catalog
Replicating the university honors college experience, DSP is a signature program of The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders. Admittance is for students exhibiting exceptional scholastic potential. Scholars engage critical texts from Western and non-Western cultures, learn and use interdisciplinary research methods and materials, and under faculty mentorship, develop independent research in a discipline of their choosing that results in original scholarship for submission to academic conferences and journals.
COLLEGE ATTENDANCE - CLASSES OF 2022–2026 Abilene Christian University
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The University of Tennessee
AMDA New York City
Louisiana State University
The University of Texas at Austin
American University
Loyola Univ. - New Orleans
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arizona State University - Tempe
Marymount Manhattan College
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Auburn University
Marywood University
Trinity University
Austin College
McNeese State University
Tusculum University
Ave Maria University
Michigan State University
Tyler Junior College
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Midland University
United States Coast Guard Academy
Bellarmine University
Millsaps College
United States Air Force Academy
Belmont University
Morehouse College
United States Military Academy
Berklee College of Music
New Mexico Highlands University
University of Arizona
Blinn College
New York University
University of Arkansas
Boston College
North Carolina State University
University of California - Irvine
Boston University
Northern Arizona University
University of Chicago
Bucknell University
Northwest Arkansas Community College
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Clemson University
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Coe College
Ohio State University
University of Georgia
Colby College
Oklahoma Christian University
University of Houston
College of Charleston
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University of Illinois - Champaign
Colorado Christian University
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Colorado College
Oral Roberts University
University of Louisiana - Lafayette
Colorado School of Mines
Pace University
University of Lynchburg
Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Palm Beach Atlantic University
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Cornell University
Pepperdine University
University of Miami
Dallas Baptist University
Prairie View A&M University
University of Michigan
Drake University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Minnesota
Duke University
Rhodes College
University of Mississippi
Eckerd College
Rice University
University of Missouri
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Sam Houston State University
University of Nebraska
Emory University
Samford University
University of North Texas
Flagler College
San Diego Mesa College
University of Oregon
Florida A&M University
Savannah College of Art & Design
University of Pittsburgh
Florida Southern College
Sewanee: The University of the South
University of Richmond
Fordham University
Shenandoah University
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Fort Lewis College
Southern Methodist University
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Georgia Institute of Technology
Southwestern Assemblies of God
University of St. Thomas
Gonzaga University
Southwestern University
University of Utah
Hampton University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Ursinus College
Hardin-Simmons University
Syracuse University
Wake Forest University
Harding University
Tarleton State University
Washington University - St Louis
Harvard University
Texas A&M International University
William and Mary
Harvey Mudd College
Texas A&M University
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Hendrix College
Texas A&M University Commerce
Xavier University of Louisiana
High Point University
Texas A&M Univ. - Corpus Christi
Houston Christian University
Texas Christian University
Houston City College
Texas Southern University
Howard University
Texas State University
Howard Payne University
Texas Tech University
Indiana University - Bloomington
The Culinary Institute of America
Johns Hopkins University
The University of Alabama
Kennesaw State University
The University of New Orleans