Strong Foundation | Building the Future!
Houston Academy is southeast Alabama’s premier college preparatory school. HA is the only independent school in the region that focuses on college preparation and preparing students to compete in a global society. The current physical spaces at Houston Academy have become antiquated relative to the mission and educational program of the school. According to industry and technology experts and research by the Institute for the Future, “Up to 85 percent of the jobs that today’s college students will have in 11 years haven’t been invented yet.” Even within the realm of current jobs, including jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, employers are demanding more than rote learning and mastery of basic facts. Our educational program focuses on the broad skills that our children will need to be successful in their world of the 21st century. These skills include collaboration, communication, critical thinking, character development, and cross-cultural competence. The Houston Academy Master Plan, Strong Foundation + Building the Future, allows teachers and students to collaborate and engage in a way that is not possible with our current spaces. Additionally, our renovations will allow current spaces to be repurposed. By summer’s end of 2022, Houston Academy will have an immaculate campus designed to fit the current student’s needs to be successful. We are beyond excited!
Auditorium
The new auditorium will allow the Cafeteria space to be a multipurpose space that could be used as a gathering place and a theater. This state-of-the-art facility will hold roughly 420 seats. It will be used in a theater style setup for drama performances, concerts and town halls. The theater seating will also be retractable, allowing more space to be utilized for dining and other activities. This facility will have wings, fly space, a backstage space, storage, multifunctional classrooms and a handicap ramp that connects with the rest of campus.
Watson Court
Houston Academy’s 50 year old gym has been remodeled from the inside out. We have a new level court highlighted with our logos and school colors. The lighting has been upgraded to energy efficient LED lighting and the walls have brand new padding. Killingsworth Gym has new, retractable bleachers that will seat 600 patrons. The gym features a new video board and a new scoreboard. It has a new air system, new ceiling panels made out of corrugated tin, and brand new collegiate goals that are mobile. This state-of-the-art facility will have new remodeled locker rooms, a concession stand in the brand new lobby, and television displays that will show the live feed during events. We are absolutely thrilled to showcase Watson Court during this school year!
STEAM Lab
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) are core areas of competency necessary for the success of our 21st century learners. Four years ago, HA began offering STEAM in the Lower and Middle Schools, and it had become one our most successful and popular programs. Quality schools throughout the country are creating STEAM labs, and Houston Academy is on the cutting edge of this trend. A “Maker Space” is “a collaborative work space for making, learning, exploring and sharing that uses high tech to no tech tools. They provide hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and boost self-confidence.” In this space, students will work on collaborative projects, work on robotics, or complete STEAM activities. The uses for this space would only be limited by our children’s’ imagination.
Amphitheater
A unique spot on campus will be our brand new amphitheater. This will be a wonderful area to hold band concerts, theatrical plays, presentations, meetings, pep rallies and other special events.
