Welcome Our New Faculty for the 2021-22 School Year!

This year, my communications focus has been on practical matters, such as opening the school during a pandemic AND during a major campus renovation.  I did not want you to forget, however, that we have a number of talented new teachers who have joined the Houston Academy family this year. I can truly say that we certainly have never had a more talented group of faculty joining our team. I’d like to take the opportunity now to introduce them to you. 

Ellen Bridges

Mrs. Bridges will be teaching 3rd Grade. She has an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Troy University-Dothan. Previously, she taught in Dothan City Schools for 25 years.

Mrs. Bridges is married to her high school sweetheart, Tony. They have two children. Hudson is 19 and Mary Lisenby is 16. For relaxation, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and dog, Hallie. 

When asked why she came to HA, she said, “After retiring from Dothan City Schools after 25 years, I knew that I wanted to continue teaching. I have a few friends who teach at Houston Academy and love it. After interviewing and viewing the campus I knew that Houston Academy was a great fit for me. I felt so comfortable and at home.” On why she became a teacher, Ellen articulated “I have always loved children. As a teen I loved to babysit and work with children. When I would babysit I enjoyed turning my time babysitting into a learning lesson or adventure.” 

Jenna Brown

Mrs. Brown will be a 5K Teaching Assistant. She received a Bachelor's from Troy University and previously taught preschool at Way to Grow Child Development Center.

Her husband is Andrew Brown, and they have a son, Sawyer Brown. She loves spending time with her family and especially enjoys staking trips to the beach. Additionally, she enjoys baking and reading a good book. 

Mrs. Brown says she came to HA because she was drawn to the family environment. Mrs. Brown became a teacher because she “…love[s] helping children learn and thrive as they grow.” 

Brittany Curry 

Mrs. Curry is joining Houston Academy as a 4th grade teacher. She has a Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University and a Master’s of Education in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama. Mrs. Curry has taught kindergarten in Madison, MS and 4th and 5th grades in Fairhope, AL. In Dothan, she has taught 2nd, 4th, and 5th grades at Montana Magnet School and Highlands Elementary School. She is also the Director of the Dothan Chapter of the National League of Junior Cotillions. 

Mrs. Curry is married to her husband of 15 years, Matthew Curry. Matthew is originally from Dothan, which is what brought her family from Fairhope to Dothan five years ago. They have two children that will be joining the Houston Academy family this year, as well. Their daughter, Monroe, will be a 5th grader, and their son, Ladner, will be a 1st grader. They are very excited to have their family together at Houston Academy.

Of teaching, Mrs. Curry states, “I love children and always have. I am a life-long learner and delight in sharing that passion with my students, as well. Ultimately, the teachers that inspired me to go into education were the ones that I respected, was able to bond with, and trust. It was apparent that those teachers genuinely had all of their students’ best interests at heart. In addition to encouraging, challenging, and educating students, my sincere desire is to make a positive, lasting impact on their lives.” 

Even before coming here to teach, the Currys had decided that they were sending their children to Houston Academy. Mrs. Curry affirms, “…after speaking with other parents and Houston Academy alumni, we felt that the level of preparedness they'd have upon graduating from HA would be exemplary. Therefore, whenever I found out that there were openings to teach at Houston Academy this year, I was eager to apply. Naturally, I wanted to teach at the same school where our children would be attending. We feel that God has truly blessed all of us in this transition. We have been welcomed with open arms, and are overjoyed about joining the HA family!”

Sara David

Mrs. David will be teaching Middle School English. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University. Before earning her teaching certification, Sara had a career in sales in Atlanta. Prior to HA, she taught in Florida where she earned a Highly Effective Teacher rating. 

Her husband is Upper School English teacher and co-Department Chair, Brian David. She and Brian have two boys. Caleb is 4 years old and is in 4P at HA, and Christopher is 2 and will be at HA next year. 

Sara enjoys Reading, yoga, travel, and spending time with her boys. She says she became a teacher, in part, because of the influence of her husband. She said, “When I met my husband, who taught 7th grade English at the time, I realized I was not as passionate about my career as he was about his. I started substituting at his school and fell in love with the kids, so I earned my teaching certificate and changed careers.” She is coming to HA because, as she said, “I missed teaching and wanted to be part of the HA family, where my husband works and my son had an amazing first year!”

Sheryl Diel

Mrs. Diel will be working as a 5K assistant. Formerly, she has assisted teachers in kindergarten and 1st grade and taught 3P. 

Sheryl is a proud mother to two children.  Her daughter and her husband have three sons, ages 10, 7 and 3.  Her son and his wife have two daughters, ages 10 and 2.  

In her leisure time she loves to hike, travel, play cards and games, and work puzzles. However. she most enjoys spending time with her grandkids.

Mrs. Diel became an assistant to teachers because she “…loves helping children learn new things. They have a unique way of looking at the world around them and that brings me joy.” She also stated, “My friend Vanessa Howell spoke so highly about HA; she refers to it as her dream job!  She shared how close the staff is and how it’s like a family.  I knew that this was someplace I wanted to be a part of, so when she told me that HA was looking for someone to assist Kindergarten, I applied immediately!”  

Brian Gates 

Mr. Gates joins HA to teach to Middle School and Upper School art. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education with a minor in Art History from Florida State University. He taught for 10 years at Northside Elementary in Panama City, FL, and he also had a full career in the business world. Mr. Gates been married for 24 years to Debbie Gates, with whom he has a 17-year-old daughter named Faith.

In regard to teaching Art, Mr. Gates avers, “I love Art and create pet portraits for families in my spare time. I love to be outdoors and live for football season! My life is a testament to God and what he continues to do in my career and personal life.” 

Mr. Gates maintains that he became an art teacher because “My high school art teacher inspired me to follow his path. I enjoy creating a safe and fun environment for my students to not only create but learn.” About Houston Academy, he attests, “I absolutely love the colleagues here. Everyone is not only professional but passionate about education.”

Swayze Gholson

Mrs. Gholson will be teaching 2nd grade. She holds Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in English, Social Studies, Health and Wellness, and Special Education from the University of Mississippi. She previously taught 2nd grade at Hillcrest Elementary in Enterprise. Originally from Columbus, Mississippi, she moved to Dothan when she married Andrew Gholson, who graduated from HA in 2015. they have two dogs, Colonel and Nola. 

In her spare time, she loves to be with her family, cook, read, travel, and cheer on the Ole Miss Rebels, Auburn Tigers, and New Orleans Saints. If she weren’t a teacher, she says would probably be an Interior Designer...you can always find her shopping at Home Goods or Target! 

Swayze grew up in a private school very similar to HA that even had the same mascot (her husband reminds her that we are the “better Raiders”)! She attests that she loves the family environment a school like HA provides. “The reputation of academic excellence far proceeds Houston Academy. I knew I wanted to work here immediately upon moving to Dothan. After my interview, I was drawn even more to HA because of the supportive administration, caring faculty, and top-notch facilities and technology. It is evident that Houston Academy's mission is to foster student-centered learning, as well as to prepare students for success well beyond their school years. I am thrilled to be a part of the HA family!” 

Kaylin Whitworth Grant

Mrs. Grant will be a lead 4P teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Troy University. Previously, she has taught 3P, 4P, was an English as a Second Language Teacher, a Special Education Aide, and a Reading Summer Camp Instructor. 

For fun, Mrs. Grant enjoys reading, fishing, and cooking. She is married to Edwin "Win" Grant, and has a daughter, Frances Grant. She decided to join the Houston Academy faculty because she wanted to be part of a school with a strong educational influence, and she became a teacher because she wanted to be able to serve the community in a positive way.

Samantha Krietemeyer

Mrs. Krietemeyer is our new Dean of College Advising and US Guidance Counselor.

She holds a BS in English from Troy University, an M.S. from Troy University in Teaching English to Students of Other Languages, and an M.S. in School Counseling. Samantha taught English at Daleville HS and Dale County HS and also taught adjunct at Troy-Dothan. 

Mrs. Krietemeyer has been married for five years to Stephen, and she has a newborn (born June 7, 2021), Cal. She enjoys photography, traveling, reading, and “lake time.”

She said she came to HA because, “My position offers the opportunity to be a college advisor and to be a counselor for students. Being able to perform either role is a privilege, so this experience is a dream.” She loves helping teenagers express themselves and says, “It is a joy to watch them discover their passions and find avenues to pursue their dreams.”

Sara Purvis

Sara will be teaching 3rd Grade and serving as the Blue Zone Sponsor. The Blue Zone is our school spirit club which Sara founded while a student at Houston Academy! Sara is a member of the HA class of 2015. Sara holds a bachelor’s of education from Auburn University and formerly taught Holly Hill Elementary School. 

Sara’s connections to HA run deep, as she is the Granddaughter of the late Lydianne Merritt and the
Daughter of Segrid White, who is a veteran 2nd grade teacher. 

Sara enjoys doing DIY projects, calligraphy, shopping, spending time with her Goldendoodle (Millie), and taking part in “lake days.” 

When asked why she was returning to HA, Sara said, “After graduation from Houston Academy, I always knew my legacy wasn’t finished. I have always called HA my home away from home, and I am blessed with the opportunity to make an impact on the next generation of students, just as my previous teachers did upon me.” Sara also said she “became a teacher to instill confidence in young adults, so that they are equipped with a strong foundation for today’s society.” 

Lisa Rahn

Mrs. Rahn will be serving as a 4P Assistant. After graduating from Houston Academy in 1999, Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University and a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from University of Georgia. She spent 15 years in the field of journalism as a senior technical writer, newspaper reporter, and magazine editor. She also worked as a standardized patient at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Mrs. Rahn attended Houston Academy from kindergarten through senior year, and her twin boys are current H.A. students.

Mrs. Rahn says, “Much of my life has been spent in connection with Houston Academy, first as a student, and now as a parent. Working here is like returning home, and I am excited about this new role in my community. I sought the position of teacher assistant to be a part of the atmosphere of growth Houston Academy exemplifies. I look forward to supporting the amazing teachers who enrich the lives of our children.” 

Again, we are absolutely thrilled with our new additions to the family. Please take the time to reach out and welcome this fantastic group of educators! 

A Letter to Houston Academy Parents from Dothan Pediatric Health Care Network

 Dear HA Family:

As the Delta Variant of COVID-19 sweeps across our state, I know many of you are struggling with the decision whether or not to vaccinate your children. I would like to pass along a letter from one of the finest Pediatric practices in the Wiregrass, many members of which are current or former Houston Academy parents. We urge you to talk to your own healthcare provider about this important decision. 

We can't wait to welcome your children back to school next week! 

Back to School COVID-19 Guidelines

Dear HA Family:

 

As I’m sure you are aware, Houston Academy made it through the last school year with no closures and with no major outbreaks of COVID-19. In part, this is because of the incredible job that our students did wearing their masks, social distancing, washing their hands, and acting with caution when not at school. Additionally, and perhaps, most importantly, we were able to weather the last school year because we made all of our decisions in consultation with our local hospitals, pediatricians, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the United States Centers for Disease Control. None of us at H.A. are medical experts, and we felt it was most prudent to follow the advice of experts and people who have spent their entire adult lives doing medical research and studying medicine.

 

Currently, all of the above organizations and individuals are recommending to us that we start the school year wearing masks while indoors. Like last year, we intend to follow their recommendations. Therefore, we are going to require that all students, faculty, and staff ages 3 and up, wear masks, indoors at Houston Academy.

 

Because of the short notice and our inability to procure our official H.A. masks, we are going to allow students to bring their own masks to school. We are requiring that masks should avoid any decoration that is distracting or outside the boundaries of our dress code. For example, depictions of sex, drugs, alcohol, or messages of a political nature will not be allowed. We reserve the right to determine if the masks are within acceptable guidelines of our dress code. Additionally, we are going to provide disposable, surgical masks at the front desk for anyone who needs them.

 

Truly, no one is more tired of these restrictions than we. In fact, until the masking recommendations came out last week, we fully intended to begin the school year with masks being optional. However, the Delta variant has been a proverbial game changer. Research indicates that the Delta variant is 40-60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant and viral loads of those infected by the Delta variant appear to be approximately 1,000 times higher. Locally, only 28% of the eligible population of Houston County are fully immunized. That is one of the lowest rates in the entire nation. Likewise, Houston County is currently at the highest risk level for Covid-19 transmission. Some of our local medical professionals have reported to me that they fear that we will be at January levels of COVID-19 transmission within the next few weeks. Of note, both nationally and locally, between 97% and 99% of people hospitalized for COVID are unvaccinated, while the mRNA vaccines remain as much as 90% effective against the Delta variant.  However, we need to keep in mind that neither vaccination nor having antibodies from a previous COVID-19 infection is a guarantee against transmission or infection. I read one doctor and researcher who compared it to applying sunscreen:

 

Sunscreen provides some protection against sunburn, but a cautious person might also wear a wide-brimmed hat or avoid sitting out during the height of the day. For COVID, face masks and social distancing, particularly at indoor public places, could be similarly useful in situations where there is higher risk.

Clearly, in Houston County and the state of Alabama, at this moment, we are at “higher risk.” The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health has created a model that suggests that cases of COVID-19 could climb to 2-3 times higher than the peak we reached last January. Remember, too, that masking, primarily, protects others. Even if you are not concerned about COVID-19 potential harm to your own child, it is still important to help protect the rest of our children and faculty. We have already had a large number of people in our immediate community negatively impacted COVID-19. Frankly, if one preventable death occurs in our H.A. family because we did not follow the guidelines of our medical professionals, that is one too many.

 

I hope that even if you disagree with our policies, you will appreciate our position and work with your children to comply. With any luck, vaccination rates will rise, and we will be able to throw out our masks, once and for all.

 

 

 

WE DID IT!!!

This year, my communication with our stakeholders has primarily been through direct emails, not through this blog. There is a reason for this. I felt that an open blog, during this pandemic, had the potential to draw attention to the way Houston Academy had chosen to address the health and safety of our students and faculty. In short, I didn’t want any chance for our health and safety decisions to become political. 

So, now, we are a few days away from graduation, and I’d like the world to know: WE DID IT!

We had in-person classes all year – we didn’t miss a single collective day due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, our teachers quickly adapted to provide quality, distance learning for those students who needed it. All of our sports teams finished their season, and most went deep into the playoffs (or won state championships). Again, COIVD was not a major impediment to our success. We had performances. We had Prom. We had the 2nd Grade Luau. We had Mayfair. And now, we are about to have our graduation, indoors, in our traditional location. 

Why were we able to do this, while so many other schools stayed closed or had limited in-person educational opportunities? First, I will say that our Leadership Team at the school did an outstanding job planning for and responding to potential crisis situations. They sought out the advice of leading medical experts, in addition to collaborating with other independent schools across the country. 

Secondly, our faculty has worked harder than I’ve ever seen a group of professionals work. They had to balance in-person teaching with the needs of distance learners. The technology coordination was a challenge, in and of itself, but teachers also had to struggle with varied assessment, ensuring academic integrity, and maintain curricular scope, pace, and sequence.  Truly, it has been exhausting. 

Thirdly, our students and families have been absolutely amazing. There is no way that we would have navigated this successfully without our students being careful and compliant and without our families taking our health and safety protocols seriously. In particular, our senior class showed remarkable leadership. Given what these seniors have lost over the last year and a half, it would have been very easy for them to complain and pout. However, they did no such thing. They set a positive tone for the school, and served as an example for all of us. 

Finally, we are very fortunate to have such a talented and intelligent health care community here in Dothan. I was able to regularly communicate with local pediatricians, the Alabama Department of Public Health, and the administrators at our local hospitals. Their research-based medical advice allowed us to always say that we were making decisions based on the best information from the scientific community. 

In short, I’d like to thank our entire community for helping us navigate this difficult situation.  I’ve never been prouder to be a Raider! 

A Letter From the Headmaster and Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Dear Houston Academy Family: 

We have all been shocked and dismayed by the recent events surrounding George Floyd's tragic and shocking death. Regardless of one’s political party, race, religion, or creed, this event has brought the ideal of equality and equal justice for all to the forefront of the national consciousness. From our perspective, this event has confirmed our resolve to have a school community which values equity, equality, and which condemns racism and bigotry in no uncertain terms. 

We do not want you to believe, however, that these values were not already important to us. Six years ago we incorporated the idea of inclusivity into our strategic plan. In fact, our very first goal was: 

To raise global awareness by increasing respect and appreciation for personal and cultural differences.

It is important to note that we are deliberate in talking about being "inclusive," not merely "tolerant." Tolerance is passive; inclusivity is active. That is, it is not enough to merely “tolerate” differences in race, religion, or belief systems. We must “include” each other and, in fact, celebrate and understand our differences. We have worked on this through our advisory program and through our curriculum. Moreover, the Board of Trustees has made a firm commitment to diversifying the student body and a number of our families have made a strong pecuniary commitment to supporting students with financial need. Additionally, eight years ago, the Board of Trustees also expanded the school's mission statement to say that our mission is to "prepare all our students for responsible participation in a global society." This is an explicit acknowledgment that our country and world is increasingly interconnected and diverse, and the only way our children will be able to successfully navigate this world is to understand and respect differences. 

Obviously, this is not enough, and there is a lot of "heavy lifting" to be done. The leadership team at HA is dedicated to giving our students from diverse backgrounds a voice, and those conversations have already begun. Specifically, we believe that one of the keys to moving forward as a community is to have honest, frank conversations, but also to listen to each other. You will be hearing more from us about specifics as the year moves forward. 

As always, your input is appreciated, both by the Board of Trustees and Dr. Phillipps.

Dr. Scott D. Phillipps,

Headmaster            

Kevin Savoy, 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Coronavirus

Dear HA Family:

Our school is currently monitoring closely the spread of the coronavirus and if it may, in time, affect our campus. Our main priority is to keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe. We want to assure you that we will take necessary precautions so that our students are protected.

On-Campus Response

On campus, we have created a plan in response to the potential threat of this epidemic. The plan also applies to influenza, or any other pandemic virus that may cause serious widespread illnesses. It includes preventative and environmental sanitation practices on campus. Our plan includes:

·      Our maintenance staff taking care to wipe down door knobs other frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis;   

·      Starting a campaign to ensure our students wash their hands frequently and use the hand sanitizer that is placed in each classroom;

·      Encouraging students to cough or sneeze into their arm, not their hands;

·      Strongly urging all families NOT TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL SHOULD SIGNS OF ILLNESS APPEAR (as always, we ask that a child be fever-free for 24 hours before he or she returns to school);

·      Asking our teachers and students to wipe down desks throughout the day to ensure those surfaces are sanitary.

Travel

With the approach of spring break and families traveling domestically and internationally, we strongly encourage you to adhere to the CDC's guidelines on travel, and use U.S. State Department website to review your destination(s) before your departure, during your trip and upon your return. We understand this information changes and as such, encourage you to check this website regularly.

Additionally, we ask that any community members who find it necessary to travel to areas of CDC Level 2 or Level 3 concern inform the School of their travel so that we may provide appropriate guidance. We will be asking travelers from those countries to refrain from coming to campus for a minimum of 14 days after their return home.

I was able to speak directly to the Head of the Alabama Department of Public Health. After a detailed conversation, I have determined that Houston Academy will postpone all school-sponsored travel scheduled for Short Term.  As a result, all Short Term classes/experiences are cancelled, except for senior internships. Because it would be impossible to incorporate all of the students that were scheduled to travel, regular classes will continue next week.

Planning for Possible School Disruption

We are planning to explore the option remote learning should we find it necessary to cancel school for a prolonged period of time. We suggest you ensure that your student has access to high-speed internet should virtual learning need to occur for any period of time. If access is a problem for your family, please contact your child’s division head.

Please remember that students take their emotional cues from the adult community. We encourage you to monitor your child's engagement in the topic and help them understand what they are seeing and hearing to avoid anxiety. Being prepared is not a cause for panic or alarm. Here is a helpful article on how to talk to your child about the Coronavirus outbreak. Our Counseling staff are here to help you, as well.


If you have any questions relating to our policies and procedures, please feel free to contact your respective division head or me.

Houston Academy Government, History, & Civics Program

Houston Academy's mission calls for our students to engage in “responsible participation” in society. For this reason, civics, United States history, geography, economics, and government are all central to our social science curriculum. Our notion of responsible participation in society goes well beyond teaching our students that it is important to vote. We believe our students should have the knowledge, skills, and inclination to think critically and debate the issues facing our city, state, country, and world. Finally, we believe that active participation in our society means that our students will be engaged in authentic community service. That is, our students are required to go out and “do,” not merely sit in a desk and focus on scholastic endeavors.

Lower School

In our Lower School, we provide students subscriptions to the online resource, Social Studies Weekly, in which the students interact in a technology-rich, engaging way, with current events, government, and geography.  

Of particular note, the second graders do a project on “Famous Americans,” in which the students research how various citizens contributed to our nation. In third grade, there is a particular focus on Alabama history, geography, and government, and the students take a field trip to the state capital.

Across all Lower School grades, the students engage in special lessons surrounding elections, Veterans’ Day, and 9/11, and they regularly enjoy visits from politicians such as Martha Roby, Mayor Mark Saliba, and former Mayor Mike Schmitz.

Middle School

In the Middle School at Houston Academy, students study U.S. government and geography. Topics include:

·      the Constitutional federal republic;

·      foundations of democracy;

·      federal government officials and buildings;

·      federal versus state law;

·      the U.S. Constitution, itself and federal laws;

·      the state government officials and buildings;

·      the Alabama state constitution and state laws;

·      local government buildings and officials;

·      local laws and ordinances;

·      comparative US and other democratic systems;

·      Regional geographic features, including climate zones, oceans, native vegetation, indigenous animals, common belief systems, regional traditions, and industrialization.

In the 5^th grade, students travel to American Village in Montevallo and learn about the founding of the republic, and actively engage with colonial reenactors to make history come alive. Seventh and eighth graders travel to Washington, D.C., where, typically, they are able to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Additionally, they visit the major historical landmarks, see historical documents, as well as museums in the Smithsonian complex and the Library of Congress.

Finally, in the Middle School advisory program, students have themes centered around patriotism and civics, and the importance of active participation in our government and society.

Upper School

The Upper School social studies and history curriculum involves both world and U.S. perspectives. The following courses are offered that are relevant to U.S. government and history.

U.S. History

U.S. History or AP U.S. History is required for graduation at H.A. This course surveys America’s colonial period to contemporary times. Students are expected to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the major political, social, cultural, economic, and diplomatic themes of American history. Through the study of current events, students gain an understanding of the relevance of the past to their daily lives. Analytical skills are emphasized.

Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. History

This college-level survey course is geared specifically toward the Advanced Placement United States History Test. It covers American history from the earliest known records to the present, with special attention to social and political trends, themes, and movements. Extensive reading, including assigned summer reading, and weekly written assignments are required. Class discussion and debate are essential; analytical skills, therefore, are stressed. Tests modeled after the AP test are administered regularly, and review sessions are scheduled as needed, particularly during the second semester.

American Government

All seniors take American Government or AP US Government and Politics. This semester course examines in depth the current American political system on the local and national level. Attention is directed to the study of the Constitution and the respective branches of government. Essay writing and critical thinking skills are broadened. The students engage in a mock Congress, which is a capstone experience. Students play the role of U.S. Senators and Representatives, as they draft legislation and guide its passage.

Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. Government and Politics

AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. Students will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. They also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, they complete a political science research or applied civics project.

Economics

All seniors take Economics or AP Macroeconomics. Usually paired with Government, this course introduces the various economic systems and theories with an in-depth analysis of America’s free enterprise system. It provides the students a broad introduction to the study of macroeconomics with an emphasis on contemporary problems and consumer economics.

Advanced Placement (AP) Macroeconomics

AP Macroeconomics is a fast-paced, college-level course that focuses on the decision making of individuals, businesses, and the government. Students will study a variety of economic theories and analyze their practical application in the real world.

This semester course focuses on the economy as a whole, including economic measures, economic growth, fiscal policy, monetary policy, and international economics. Students are required to take the AP Macroeconomics in May. Extensive math skills are not required; however, the ability to analyze graphs and charts is essential.

The Sixties in America, Honors

This semester course covers two pivotal decades, the two “60s” that the United States has experienced since its founding, the 1860s and 1960s. These decades were influential in a variety of ways, impacting the American people, history, and culture in unimaginable ways. The first term focuses upon the 1860s, with the Civil War and its immediate aftermath as the focus. The second term focuses upon the Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, and the culture of the 1960s. The course utilizes a variety of sources, including first-person accounts, literary works, and films set in and influenced by the events of the decade.

History through Film and Literature Honors

While not strictly a United States history course, this course touches on a number of topics in United States history. This semester course examines important people, places, and events in history by looking at accounts of them as they appear in literature and film. Students look at historical accounts, newspaper articles, short stories, poems, and novels, some fictional and some not, to glean an understanding of time and place. They also look at film treatments, some documentaries, some newscasts, and some feature films, to get an appreciation of people, places, and events. Time will be spent exploring the voyages of Christopher Columbus, the sinking of the Titanic, the American Civil War, the Holocaust, and much more.

Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography

Again, while not strictly, American, AP Human Geography gives students a unique perspective on US culture and its place in the world.  AP Human Geography is a course designed to prepare students for geographic analysis. Students study the distributions, the processes, and the effects of human populations on the planet. Using problem-solving and decision-making skills, they analyze the following geographic themes: population and migration, urban and rural land use, religion, language, architecture, political and economic development, and globalization. Students take the AP exam in May for college credit.

Extracurricular Activities

Poverty Simulation

Houston Academy seniors now take part in the “Alabama Possible” Poverty Simulation. According to “Alabama Possible”:

Alabama is the sixth poorest state in the nation, and nearly 900,000 of our neighbors live below the federal poverty line. The Community Action Poverty Simulation is a unique, interactive experience that helps facilitate understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in our community who are living at or below the poverty level. The simulation increases participants’ understanding of hardships and the emotional toll experienced by impoverished members of our society and the work it takes to achieve self-sufficiency.

This program has served as a meaningful exercise for our seniors as they go out into the wider world.

Other extracurricular opportunities which allow students to engage in authentic civil engagement include:

·      Leadership Dothan,

·      Boys and Girls State,

·      Student Government Association,

·      Upper School Disciplinary Committee, and

·      Upper School Honor Council.

Houston Academy is particularly proud of the role students play in making day-to-day decisions. We believe that in order to create responsible citizens who embrace democratic principles, those principles must be modeled in school. Therefore, in the last seven years, the Upper School Honor Council was strengthened and reorganized, and an Upper School Disciplinary Committee was formed. These committees make recommendations to the administration when possible violations of the school’s honor code or disciplinary rules occur. Students are elected by peers and faculty to serve on these two committees, and students who violate our community standards must appear in front of them. This has proven to be a powerful system in which community violations are judged by community members. Consequently, HA has experienced a substantial and significant drop in honor and disciplinary offenses. Moreover, students have taken greater ownership of their own community and school.

Community Service

In order to graduate, all students at Houston Academy must document 40 hours of community service. Additionally, students receive honor cords at graduation for completing 80 hours of service.  As mentioned previously, the purpose of community service at Houston Academy is to have our students actively and authentically engage in the community. Raising money is not enough. Collecting money is, in many ways, a passive exercise which does not allow our students to work with real people in our community. That is not to say that we don’t raise money for worthy causes. HA has raised money for the American Cancer Society, the United Way, and the Red Cross, to name but a few organizations. Below are a few examples of recent community service efforts.

In 2017, Houston Academy filled an entire shipping container full of relief supplies and delivered it to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. With the help of a Houston Academy family, the supplies were personally delivered to a part of the island that was in dire need and was not receiving adequate federal or international assistance.

In 2018, Houston Academy organized disaster relief for Holy Nativity Episcopal School in Panama City, FL, which was destroyed by Hurricane Michael. The teachers and students at HA supplied every Holy Nativity teacher with basic supplies, such as staplers, pens, pencils, notebooks, and post-it notes. Those supplies were delivered, personally, to every classroom by members of the school administration.

Each year, HA’s Student Government Association (SGA) participates in their Rescue Christmas Shopping service project. Typically, approximately 50 students shop for Christmas gifts for the Rescue Mission. SGA uses money raised from homecoming, powderpuff and other events to fund this worthy event, providing Christmas presents for homeless children.

HA alumnus, Ben Nelson, digs
a well in Nicaragua. 

In the last three years, Houston Academy has been an active participant in the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life,” raising thousands of dollars for cancer research. Currently, the school is promoting a “Go Gold!” campaign to help end childhood cancer.

In February of 2018, the preschool students participated in our Water Service Project. Each class participated in lessons/activities about water and the importance of clean water. Each Friday in February the preschoolers were able to purchase popsicles to help raise money to send to Nicaragua for water filters. Two of HA’s own Upper School students went on this mission trip with Westgate Church of Christ to Nicaragua during Spring Break.

Hits for Heroes

The entire school annually contributes to and works for our “Hits for Heroes” baseball tournament fundraiser. This fundraiser began at Houston Academy, and has spread across the state of Alabama and the Southeast. High school and college teams across the southeast play games, the proceeds of which go to support our veterans and active duty military. Last year, in partnership with the USO, Houston Academy sent, literally, hundreds of care packages to our deployed troops. Additionally, as a separate service, our children write letters to soldiers.

Wiregrass Children’s Home/Alabama Baptist Children’s Home

The purpose of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries is to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through service. This purpose is met by providing homes for children, professional counseling, educational services and family assistance. Our students work with these children, directly, playing games, tutoring, and providing needed services, as requested by the organization.

Harbor House

 Harbor House serves the poor, needy and homeless residents of Dothan by meeting their physical needs. These needs are met through programs such as Celebrate Recovery, Saturday meals, Wednesday night church services, Adopt-a-Block outreach, job placement and mentoring services.

 

Enable Ministry

The Enable Ministry meets once a month at the recreation outreach center of Calvary Baptist Church. Through this ministry, students with different learning and social disabilities have the opportunity to play, eat, and do arts/crafts with a volunteer. 

Vaughn-Blumberg/Miracle League of Dothan

The mission of Vaughn-Blumberg Services (VBS), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit agency, is to provide or to assist in securing the provision of comprehensive services for people with intellectual disabilities that reside in Houston County as well as assist in facilitating their participation in society to the fullest extent of their individual capabilities. People receiving services are 18 years of age or older and are diagnosed as having an intellectual disability. VBS also provides early intervention services for infants/toddlers between birth to three years of age and adolescents with intellectual disabilities identified as eligible and determined appropriate for available program services. VBS provides services to approximately 200 Houston County adults with intellectual disabilities and 22 children. 

Miracle field was designed for physically disabled children to have the opportunity to play in a baseball game. Our students can help out by being a “buddy” to one of the players competing in the game and assisting them during the game. Games start in March and go until May.

The Wiregrass Humane Society (Heart)

The Wiregrass Humane Society is an animal rescue facility located in Dothan. When the Dothan Animal Control officers pick up a stray animal, that animal has 20 days to get picked up by its owner or it gets euthanized. The Human Society’s goal is to save as many of those animals as possible and give them a new home. Students help by volunteering at the Humane Society with tasks such as walking dogs, giving baths to dogs, playing with cats and dogs, and much more.

Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity

The Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity serves four counties: Dale, Henry, Houston, and Geneva. Homes built by Wiregrass HFH and sold to homeowners typically between $45,000 and $75,000. Students at Houston Academy take part in construction projects, project support, and landscaping. 

Summary

Houston Academy fully embraces its role in developing civic-minded leaders of tomorrow. We believe that our students leave Houston Academy equipped to be active participants in our society with a full knowledge and understanding of our history, traditions, values, and responsibilities. Our program is far from perfect, but it is also not stagnant. We are constantly evolving in this arena to meet the demands of this complicated, 21^st century world our children will enter.