Our School

HISD schools are rooted in academic excellence, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to putting students first. In this section, you can learn about our mission and vision, hear from our principal, explore our school’s history , schedule a campus tour, and find contact information to get in touch with us.

DeBakey HSHP offers students interested in science and health careers an alternative to the traditional high school experience. DeBakey HSHP is a small high school with a diverse population. It is located in the renowned Texas Medical Center and is a magnet school in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). DeBakey HSHP offers its students a rigorous curriculum. Its diverse faculty is dedicated to offering students a solid college preparatory program which requires courses in upper level science and mathematics combined with an excellent introductory study of medicine and medical careers. 

In 1972, the first High School for Health Professions (HSHP) in the nation opened in Houston with 45 students attending classes at Baylor College of Medicine. The school's first graduating class consisted of 32 students. Since then, DeBakey HSHP has continued to develop and provide a rigorous and comprehensive pre-college program for students pursuing careers in medicine, health care, and/or the sciences. It offers to its students experiences in health-care and research facilities with the Texas Medical Center.

Students apply for admission to DeBakey HSHP and have been selected based upon past academic performance, nationally-normed test scores, conduct, attendance and merit. DeBakey HSHP students consistently perform above district and statewide averages on the SAT and ACT examinations and on the state-mandated tests (TAAS, TAKS, and now STAAR). AP exam passing rates also exceed the national average. The school has received numerous awards from such organizations as the Governor's Committee for Educational Excellence of the State of Texas, the National Science Teachers Association, the US. Department of Education and the Houston Mayor's office. DeBakey HSHP has also been selected by the National Science Foundation, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and The Rockefeller Foundation to pilot special programs established to increase minority representation in medicine and the sciences.

Currently, 98%+ of DeBakey HSHP's graduates attain postsecondary education. A follow-up study indicated that the DeBakey HSHP had successfully prepared its graduates to access education and careers in health-related and scientific professions. Respondents indicated that they:

1. had accessed postsecondary education in large numbers
2. were doing well in their respective undergraduate programs
3. had maintained interest in and were pursuing studies leading to careers in the health sciences
4. preferred medicine as a first career choice

Attendance Boundary Map

Each residence within the district is assigned to a specific "feeder pattern" composed of a specific elementary, middle, and high school.

To determine which schools serve your residence, please use the online "Select a School" or call the Student Transfer Department at 713-556-6734. For more information, you can also view school boundary maps.