Its a prestigious private school that sends its graduates on to great universities such as Stanford, Columbia, Rice, and Northwestern. The average class size is 15, with a student teacher ratio of 10:1, with the majority of faculty living on campus. And 85% of the school's families have incomes below the poverty level.
This remarkable school is
The Chinquapin School, located 25 miles east of downtown Houston in Highlands, Texas. Billy Stone is currently working with students, faculty, and alumni to tell an amazing educational success story. Some 37 years ago Bob Moore, a beloved English teacher at Houston's St. John's School, made good on a dream to start a challenging college prep school for able and motivated youth from low-income families in the Greater Houston area.
Over the course of their education at the school, the students (grades 6-12) receive lessons both in and out of class. Outside of the demanding course load students volunteer in various ways, from building houses for Habitat for Humanity to cleaning beaches in Galveston. They must give back to the school itself by doing daily chores. There are enrichment programs with the Houston Grand Opera and the Alley Theatre, and summer programs such as Outward Bound.
And for all of this marvelous education that their children receive, parents pay just a token tuition, in cash or services, that covers about 3% of annual costs. That means The Chinquapin School must rely on donors---foundations, corporations, and individuals----who support an annual budget of $1.8 million and maintain an endowment of $9 million. It is vital, then, that the story of The Chinquapin School reach as many people as possible.
For Billy, this has become much more mission than assignment; he positively believes in spreading the word about the school. When the video is completed, I think you'll agree that The Chinquapin School is an educational jewel. ----Ronnie
