It is with great excitement that we announce that Houston Christian opened the 2020-2021 academic year on time with socially-distant, in-person classes. We welcomed an incoming class of 123 freshmen, 27 transfer students and a total of 443 students overall. This increased enrollment is a testament to the education that we provided last spring. Without missing a single day of instruction, we began distance learning on March 24, 2020. Our creative responses to important traditions, drive-by celebratory events and an online gala were met with fanfare and success. And to cap it off, the in-person commencement exercise at our football stadium was blessed by a beautiful sunset for 115 seniors along with their families!
This decision to be the only SPC school in Houston to return in person was not reached lightly. It was the result of many people working the entire summer, reviewing local and national data, and setting into place protocols and guidelines to ensure we could provide a safe environment with the resources we have available to us. To address COVID 19, we established a plan with three modes of instruction that take into account the possibility of change to local health conditions. Each mode is missionally driven and prioritizes academic rigor within a nurturing, spiritual-minded community. The plan is to move to mode A, all in-person classes, on September 17th, depending on the situation.
In addition to the many common adjustments to facilities for a safe learning, Houston Christian added Bipolar Ionization to our HVAC units in the gym, weight room, cafeteria, chapel and auditorium. This technology in air handlers captures dust and virus particles and binds them together, immediately eliminating the virus from circulating through high concentration areas of campus. This is just one of the many ways that we are modifying our campus to ensure that our students get a full education and get to fulfill their greatest promise.
Another exciting announcement is that we have kicked off the Mustang Canter! This 5K virtual fun run is a great way to get outside and run, challenge your friends and support Houston Christian! Please invite your family, friends, prayer groups, college roommates – anyone you know – to join us in cantering to support education! And watch for the antics of Thor – our cute masked mascot!
