Furr High- A Look Inside Houston's Community School
A new voice has joined the Furr High family, and there is a lot of excitement about what lies ahead for everyone who calls this school home. It’s almost like a fresh chapter is beginning, with a renewed promise to keep learning at the very center of everything that happens here. This new leader, known as Ebbert L., feels a deep sense of happiness and honor to be a part of the community, truly looking forward to upholding a vision that puts excellent education first for all the students, who are often thought of as the "brahmans" of the school.
This particular high school, Furr High, is a place where young people from ninth grade through twelfth grade spend their days learning and growing. It sits in Houston, Texas, a big city, and it is part of the Houston Independent School District, which helps run many schools around the area. You know, it’s not just a building; it’s a spot right next to a lovely green space, Herman Brown Park, and also pretty close to a neighborhood called Songwood, making it feel very much a part of the local scene.
Students here get chances to take what are called Advanced Placement courses, which are college-level classes that can really challenge them and help them prepare for what comes next. About half of the students, more or less, choose to take these kinds of courses, which shows a lot of eagerness to learn. Furr High School is also known as a magnet school, which means it has special programs that draw students from all over, like those focused on environmental science, and that, is that, pretty cool.
Table of Contents
- What Makes Furr High Special for Students?
- How Does Furr High Help the Planet?
- Who Are the Students at Furr High?
- What Opportunities Await at Furr High?
- A Glimpse into Furr High's History and Campus
- Where Can You Find Furr High's Spirit?
- Getting Your Furr High Diploma- What You Need to Know
- The Furr High Difference- What Sets It Apart
What Makes Furr High Special for Students?
Furr High is a school that truly offers a lot for its students, you know. It is a place that provides those Advanced Placement classes, which are like stepping stones to college, giving young people a chance to earn college credit while still in high school. Beyond just the tough academics, Furr High also has two different sports for students to participate in, helping them stay active and learn about teamwork. There's also a program for students who are considered gifted and talented, which really aims to give them extra challenges and support in their learning journeys. It’s pretty clear that the school wants to make sure every student finds something that fits them, something that helps them grow.
As a public school in Houston, Texas, Furr High is one of 55 high schools in the Houston Independent School District, which is quite a large number when you think about it. This means it is part of a bigger system, but it still has its own distinct feel and personality. For instance, the school has a very particular way of looking at things, often described as an "institute for innovative thinking." This phrase suggests that they encourage new ideas and different ways of solving problems, which can be a very helpful skill for young people to develop, actually.
The school's main address is 500 Mercury Drive, right there in Houston, TX, with the zip code 77013. It is a physical place, of course, but it is also a hub for learning and community activity. The fact that it is a public school means it is open to many, many young people from the area, providing an education that is accessible to a wide range of families. So, it is more than just a place to go to class; it is a vital part of the local community, you could say.
How Does Furr High Help the Planet?
One of the really interesting things about Furr High School is its strong focus on the natural world and keeping it healthy. They have a special program that gives students experiences where they learn by doing, which is a great way to understand big ideas. For example, students actually go out and gather water samples from waterways all around the city of Houston. This helps them see firsthand what's happening with the water quality in their own community, which is pretty hands-on, if you ask me.
Beyond water, these students also take part in what are called "trash audits" in the parks that are close by. This means they go through the garbage and figure out what kinds of things are being thrown away, which can teach them a lot about waste and recycling. It's a bit like being a detective for the environment. They also go to public meetings where important decisions are being made about the environment, and they speak up about issues that affect the health and general well-being of the people living around them. So, they are not just learning; they are making a real difference in their community, you know, which is very important.
The magnet program at Furr High School, which is a big draw for many, really centers on agricultural practices that are good for the long term. This means they look at ways to grow food and manage land that don't harm the earth and can be kept up for many years to come. But it is not just about farming techniques; it also looks at fairness for people and the planet. This focus on social and environmental justice means they think about how everyone can have a healthy place to live and access to good food, which is a really thoughtful approach, you might say.
Who Are the Students at Furr High?
When you look at the students who attend Furr High School, you see a really varied group of young people, which is quite common in big city schools. For instance, a significant portion of the students, about 76.4% of them, have been identified as having a higher chance of leaving school before finishing. This means the school has a big job in supporting these young people and helping them stay on track to graduate, which is a very important task, obviously.
Also, a good number of students, around 45.6%, are part of programs that help them learn English or support them in speaking two languages. This shows that Furr High is a place where many different language backgrounds come together, and the school works to make sure everyone can learn and succeed, no matter what their first language might be. It’s a bit like a melting pot of cultures and voices, which can be a truly enriching environment for everyone there.
When it comes to how students do on state tests, the numbers show that about 15% of students are considered to be doing well in math, and 21% are doing well in reading. These numbers give a snapshot of where things stand, but they do not tell the whole story of what students are learning or how much effort they are putting in every day. The school, you know, works hard to help every student improve and reach their full potential, which is the main goal for any educational place.
What Opportunities Await at Furr High?
Beyond the regular classes, Furr High offers some pretty unique paths for its students. For example, the school is home to something called the Futures Academy of Petroleum Engineering Technology. This academy gives students a chance to learn about a specific field that is important in Houston, helping them get ready for jobs or further education in that area. It’s like a specialized track within the school, giving students a head start in a particular career path, which is a really cool idea, in a way.
For those who love sports, especially football, Furr High is part of the big UIL Texas Football State Championships. In 2024, the school's team will be competing in the Conference 4A D1 games, which means they are playing at a pretty high level. This gives student-athletes a chance to show off their skills and compete against other schools from around the state, which is a big deal for many young people, you know.
The school also hosts or is involved in various events that are spread out over time. For example, there are scheduled games for Sunday, June 8, 2025, with Furr High playing at 12:00 p.m., then Central Austin High School at 3:00 p.m., and North Kashmere High School at 6:00 p.m. On Friday, June 6, 2025, there are games for South Chavez High School at 9:00 a.m. and South Madison High School at 12:00 p.m. These events really highlight the school's involvement in broader community activities and competitions, keeping things lively and engaging for students and families alike, basically.
A Glimpse into Furr High's History and Campus
Furr High School first opened its doors a good while ago, back in the fall of 1961. It started out on the east side of Houston, which gives it a long history and roots in that part of the city. Over the years, it has been a place of learning and growth for many, many generations of students. Knowing its history helps us understand the community it serves and the traditions it has built up over decades, which is kind of neat to think about.
Today, Furr High is a public high school that is part of the Houston Independent School District, as we have talked about. It is home to a total of 1,025 students, from ninth grade all the way through twelfth grade. This number places it as the 611th largest public high school in the state of Texas, and if you look at the whole country, it is the 6,080th largest. So, it is a good-sized school, but not one of the absolute biggest, giving it a certain feel, you know, where students can still feel like they are part of a close-knit group.
The number of students compared to the number of teachers is also something to consider. At Furr High, there are about 13 students for every one teacher. This ratio means that teachers can likely give a fair amount of attention to individual students, helping them out when they need it and getting to know them better. It is a ratio that suggests a good environment for learning, where students can feel supported in their academic journey, which is very important for success, naturally.
Where Can You Find Furr High's Spirit?
The spirit of Furr High is not just found within its classrooms; it extends to the wider community and even into the future plans of its students. The school's location, right next to Herman Brown Park and the Songwood subdivision, means it is deeply connected to the daily lives of the people living around it. This closeness helps build a sense of belonging and community, where the school is truly a part of the neighborhood, and the neighborhood is part of the school. It’s more or less a hub for local life, you could say.
When you think about the environmental focus of Furr High, you see its spirit in action. Students are out there, actually collecting water samples and doing trash audits, which shows a commitment to making their local area a better place. They are not just learning about environmental issues from books; they are actively working to solve them in their own backyard. This kind of hands-on involvement really brings the school's mission to life and shows how much the students care about their surroundings, which is truly inspiring.
The various sports and academic programs, like the Advanced Placement courses and the Futures Academy of Petroleum Engineering Technology, also show where the school's energy lies. They are providing pathways for students to pursue their passions, whether that is on the football field or in a specialized science program. This variety means that many different kinds of talents and interests can find a home at Furr High, helping each student find their own way to shine. It is a place that really tries to give everyone a chance to succeed, you know, which is a great thing.
Getting Your Furr High Diploma- What You Need to Know
For those who have already finished their time at Furr High School and are looking to get another copy of their high school diploma, there is a clear process to follow. The very first thing you need to do is get a copy of your transcript. This transcript is like a record of all your grades and courses, and you can usually get it from the inactive records department. So, that is your starting point, basically, to get things moving along.
Once you have that transcript in your hands, your next step is to take it to the registrar at the high school itself. The registrar is the person who handles all the official student records, including diplomas. Each high school, you know, has its own particular way of doing things and its own set of rules for these kinds of requests. So, it is a good idea to be prepared for some slight differences depending on where you graduated from.
Most schools will charge a fee for a replacement diploma, and for Furr High, it usually costs somewhere between $14 and $17. It is also important to remember that it takes a little bit of time to get your new diploma ready. Typically, you should expect to wait about six to eight weeks for it to be processed and sent to you. So, if you need it by a certain date, it is a good idea to plan ahead and start the process early, which is always a smart move, really.
The Furr High Difference- What Sets It Apart
What truly sets Furr High School apart is its dedication to creating a unique learning environment for its students. It is known as an institute for innovative thinking, which means they encourage students to think differently and come up with new solutions to problems. This approach goes beyond just memorizing facts; it is about helping young people develop the skills they need to tackle challenges in the real world, which is a very valuable thing to learn, you know.
The school’s magnet program, with its focus on sustainable agricultural practices and a commitment to social and environmental fairness, really makes it stand out. This is not something you find at every high school. It shows that Furr High is looking at bigger picture issues and preparing its students to be active and responsible citizens who care about their community and the planet. This kind of specialized program draws students who are passionate about these topics, creating a really engaged group of learners, basically.
From its history dating back to 1961 on Houston’s east side, to its involvement in things like the Futures Academy of Petroleum Engineering Technology and state football championships, Furr High has a rich story. It is a school that serves a diverse student body, including many who are learning English or might need extra support, and it works hard to provide opportunities for everyone. It is more or less a place that truly aims to make a positive impact on the lives of its students and the community around it, which is a pretty good goal for any school, you might say.
Furr High School from Houston, Texas Yearbooks
Redefining FURR
1979 yearbook from Furr High School from Houston, Texas for sale
