Northside Health Careers High School

Northside Health Careers High School (HCHS) is a magnet school in San Antonio's Northside Independent School District for students that are interested in pursuing a career in the health professions. HCHS attracts students from school districts all across Bexar County and some from as far as Hondo, Texas.

Health Careers High School
Address
4646 Hamilton Wolfe Road

San Antonio
,
Bexar County
,
Texas
78229
Coordinates29.520427°N 98.578972°W / 29.520427; -98.578972
Information
School typePublic Secondary Magnet
Established1984
School districtNorthside Independent School District
SuperintendentDr. Brian Woods
School number(210) 397-5400
PrincipalLinda Burk
Grades9 - 12
Enrollment862[1] (2018-19)
Color(s)Navy Blue, White, Maroon
              
MascotPhoenix
Websitewww.nisd.net/healthcareers

History

HCHS opened in 1984 as one of the first magnet schools in south Texas under principal John Boyers, who remained principal until 2002. The land on which the school sits was donated to Northside Independent School District by the San Antonio Medical Foundation. HCHS is in the heart of San Antonio's Southwest Medical Center.

Admissions

Unlike most NISD magnet schools, HCHS is an independent campus, rather than being housed at a parent school (as is the case with Business Careers High School and Communications Arts High School). Admission to HCHS requires the submission of an application and essay, as well as a C average in middle school coursework. Eligible applicants are entered into a lottery system with selected students notified by mail. Prior to admitting the class of 2001, the admissions process did not operate as a lottery, and admitted students were selected based on the merits of their application. Each year, over 800 students apply to fill only 250 spots.[2] As a public school, no tuition is charged to either in-district or out of district students.

Academics
Sign depicting the location of the South Texas Medical Center

HCHS educates about 900 students from the 9th grade (freshman) through 12th grade (senior). The curriculum of HCHS complies with the requirements of the Texas Education Agency, but additional courses that relate to the health field are also offered.[3] The flagship program of Health Careers High School is the opportunity for students to engage in Hospital Clinical rotations for half and academic day commonly referred to as "Practicum" courses in 11th grade (junior) meaning to earn a certification, and "Co-Op" courses in 12th grade (senior) where students are certified to work with patients at one of the various teaching hospitals in the South Texas Medical Center.

Graduation Requirements

Students are required to pursue the Texas Foundation Graduation Plan + Endorsement, though most students receive the Texas Distinguished Level of Achievement or Performance Level Achievement. At HCHS students are required to pursue Pre-AP Biology and Chemistry due to the rigor of the STEM curriculum. NISD mandated that 8th grade student complete a semester long course of Communication Applications in 2019, fulfilling the Graduation requirement for the class of 2024 and beyond. Along with the graduation requirements students are expected to take elective courses of their respective endorsement career strand (see below).

  • English (4)
    • English 1/Pre-AP (1)
    • English 2/Pre-AP (1)
    • English 3/AP (1)
    • Advance English Course (1)
  • Mathematics (4)
    • Algebra 1/Pre-AP (1)
    • Geometry/Pre-AP (1)
    • Algebra 2/Pre-AP (1)
    • Advance Science (1)
  • Science (4)
    • Pre-AP Biology (HCHS Requirement) (1)
    • Pre-AP Chemistry (HCHS Requirement) (1)
    • Physics/AP (1)
    • Advance Science (1)
  • Social Studies/History (4)
    • World History/AP (1)
    • World Geography/AP (1)
    • United States History/AP (1)
    • Government (0.5)
    • Economics/AP (0.5)
  • Language (2) (Spanish or Latin)
  • Physical Education (1)
  • Fine Arts (1)
  • Speech (0.5)
  • Electives (5.5)

AP and College Board Association

In May of 2016, HCHS had 90% of students take more than 1,000 exams for an average of 3.4 exams per student. The overall pass rate, for all exams given, was 69.5% with an average score of 3.45 which is higher than the national average of 3.03 on each exam. Their students earned the following designations this year which are earned cumulatively during the student's career in high school:

  • AP Scholar: 64 students  (scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams)
  • AP Scholar with Honor: 25 students  (an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams)
  • AP Scholar with Distinction: 27 students   (an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams)
  • National AP Scholar: 3 students  (an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams)

HCHS offers over a dozen Advance Placement (AP) courses included, but not limited to: AP Art History, AP Music Theory, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomic, AP Psychology, AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History, AP World History: Modern, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science Principals, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based, AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based, AP Latin, AP Spanish Language and Culture, and AP Spanish Literature and Culture.

Health and Biosciences Curriculum

Almost all students at HCHS enroll in one of the 7 TEA Endorsement Career Strands in Public Service or STEM: Clinical Medical Assistant, Dental, Medical Laboratory, Pharmacology, Medical Research, Sterile Processing, or Biomedical Engineering. Students are required to take the state prerequisite course of Principals of Health Science and Pre-AP Biology in 9th grade (freshman), as well as Anatomy and Physiology and Pre-AP Chemistry in 10th grade (sophomore). Other featured Health Science Electives include: Health Science Theory, Medical Microbiology, Pathophysiology, Creative Writing for the Medical Profession, Mathematics in Biomedical Engineering, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Psychology, Sociology, Critical Issues in Medical Ethics, Forensic Science, Computer Sciences 1-3, and Engineering Design & Presentation. as well as specialized program Co-Op/Hospital Clinicals where students earn Workplace experience to receive one of 5 Nationally Recognized Work-Place Certificates: Clinical Medical Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, or Sterile Processing Technician.

Athletics

HCHS does not have a football, basketball, baseball or volleyball team. HCHS does compete against other schools in golf, tennis, aquatics, track, and cross country, which HCHS considers "lifetime" sports. Health Careers is currently 2nd in the district in tennis, second only to Clark high school. The school does compete in 6A classification competitions despite its 3A status.

Phoenix Tennis Team

HCHS Tennis is one of the most competitive programs playing in Region 4, District 27-6A. The varsity team is currently ranked 8th in the 6A Region 4 rankings.

In district, they compete against Clark, O’Connor, Marshall, Holmes, Jay, Taft, Stevens, Warren, Brandeis and Brennan. During the past 15 years, HCHS has competed against perennial powerhouses such as Westlake, New Braunfels, Reagan, Alamo Heights, Harlingen South and numerous others. The program has been to regionals 8 out of the 11 years of the team's existence. Plus during the individual season which takes place in the spring the team has had its share of regional qualifiers in boys singles, girls singles, girls doubles, boys doubles and mixed doubles. From 2004 to 2007 they have had state qualifiers in girls singles and mixed doubles.

Fine Arts

HCHS has a well respected Fine Arts program, most notably their Orchestra which is the largest in the district with over 200 members and 3 Orchestra Ensembles. The Phoenix Orchestra often takes UIL Superior Ratings and has many TMEA All-State Orchestra participants. HCHS is the only high school in the district not to have a Theater Arts program, but does compensate for that through their Dram Club. HCHS also hosts a Varsity Band and Choir whom are also well developed. The addition of a fine arts program came from a former NISD Bond which called for the expansion of HCHS through a Fine Arts wing. HCHS does not boast a Studio Art program either. AP Art History and AP Music Theory are also notable classes.

Accolades

HCHS is a nationally recognized school, having been named a National Blue Ribbon School for the 1990-1991 academic year.[4] HCHS is also a Texas Education Agency(TEA) Exemplary campus, and has received the Gold Performance Acknowledgment(from the TEA). In addition, educators at HCHS have also been recognized at the state and national level for excellence in education.[5][6] In addition, since 1997, long time volunteer and resident statistician Dr. Joe Ward has run the Biostatistics Research Club. Dr. Ward's commitment to the Northside Independent School District and HCHS has recently been recognized with the naming of Dr. Joe Ward Elementary School in his honor.[7]

In 2004, Latin teacher Mr. Clyde Lehmann was named as a recipient of the $25,000 prize from the Milken Award Foundation.
In 2008 Health Careers was recognized as a "2008 Just for Kids Higher Performing Schools in Texas"[8]
In 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 HCHS was listed as the top High School in San Antonio by Children at Risk.[9]

HCHS was also listed as an Honor School by the Texas Business & Education Coalition[10] for 2006. As well as being listed as one of the top 500 schools[11] in the country by Newsweek.com for 3 consecutive years (2005-2007), HCHS was also listed as one of the top schools in Texas by Texas Monthly.[12]

Often regarded as the Best Public School in the San Antonio Metropolitan Area, the school has been ranked highly amongst many school ranking sites, and NISD has seen an increase in home values due to the creditableness of their schools.

National Rankings (2020):
  • 117/17,792 in National Rankings by US News
  • 38/1,009 in National Magnet High Schools by US News
  • 60/812 in Best Magnet High Schools in America by Niche
  • 347/19.314 in Best Public High Schools in America by Niche
  • 513/16,801 in Best College Prep high Schools in America by Niche
  • 739/7,623 in Best STEM High Schools in America by Niche

Texas Rankings (2020):
  • 15/2,075 in Texas Rankings by US News
  • 9/59 in Best Magnet High Schools in Texas by Niche
  • 24/1,696 in Best Public High Schools in Texas by Niche
  • 40/1,372 in Best College Prep High Schools in Texas by Niche
  • 46/731 in Best High Schools for STEM in Texas by Niche
  • 69/1,676 in Best Public High School Teachers in Texas by Niche
  • 115/2,022 in Most Diverse Public High Schools in Texas by Niche

San Antonio Area Ranks (2020):
  • 3/142 in San Antonio, TX Metro Area High Schools by US News
  • 1/87 in Best Public High School in San Antonio Area by Niche
  • 1/73 in Best College Prep high Schools in San Antonio Area by Niche
  • 1/6 in Best Magnet High Schools in San Antonio Area by Niche
  • 4/54 in Best High Schools for STEM in San Antonio Area by Niche
  • 5/115 in Most Diverse Public High Schools in San Antonio by Niche
  • 8/85 in Best Public High Schools Teachers in San Antonio by Niche

Other Rankings (2020):
  • 1/17 in Northside ISD High Schools

School spirit
The Phoenix represented in a drawing.

The school mascot is the phoenix, which is sometimes affectionately referred to as the "flaming chicken" and the school colors are navy blue, medical white, and maroon. Medical white being used as the graduation cap and gown color as a symbol of perfection and professionalism.

The mascot is rarely used or mentioned, though, contrary to most High Schools, due to the lack of major team sports. Although the colors are shown proudly with many spirit shirts and banners.

Expansion

Health Careers High School, a 35-year-old magnet high school in the South Texas Medical Center, will undergo a $4.5-million campus expansion January 2020, a project that could boost the number of students entering the health care field. Work at the Northside ISD school is expected to cost $4.5 million, according to state permits filed by Helotes-based KNRG Architects, which also designed the district’s Brandeis High School.

Health Careers, at 4646 Hamilton Wolfe Road, will be upgraded to include a mock hospital with several new dental and medical lab classrooms. According to the filing, the 21,133-square-foot renovation will start Jan. 10 and should be complete by the end of 2020. NISD’s board discussed the project Nov. 19 when members approved KNRG’s design. Most of the work will be inside a building that previously housed the district’s children’s center but is now being used by the high school.

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References
  1. "Health Careers H S". Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  2. Harlendale Opening New Health Magnet School
  3. HCHS Homepage
  4. Blue Ribbon List
  5. TEA Press Release
  6. 2004-2005 Seimen's Foundation Award List
  7. AMSTAT Press Release
  8. http://www.just4kids.org/en/texas/school_data/chart.cfm?campus_id=015915006&tab=hp
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2012-07-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-03-15.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. NBC News
  12. http://www.texasmonthly.com/preview/2006-12-01/feature7
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