The school focuses on preparing students for university and their roles in society as global citizens. It is a small high-school program, designed to serve up to 400 students in grades 9 through 12. It opened initially to 100 9th graders for the 2006-2007 school year and plans to add a new 9th-grade class of 100 students every year, as each previous class advances. The new campus for HAIS is located at the former J. Will Jones Elementary, also located in Midtown; it was scheduled to open for the new 09-10 school year in the fall. The Academy is a partnership with the Houston Independent School District, the Houston Community College Central Campus, Houston A+ Challenge and the Asia Society’s Network of International Studies Schools.
Administration
The school's principal, Melissa Jacobs-Thibaut, is a professional administrator, educator and community-development specialist with 13 years of urban and international teaching, teacher training and leadership experience. Between 1996 and 2001, she worked for the United States Peace Corps on assignment in Cape Verde and Mozambique. Since 2001, Jacobs-Thibaut was the Instructional Coordinator and Charter Manager at Cage Elementary School/Project Chrysalis Middle School in Houston.
Attendance
Admissions
To be accepted at HAIS, potential students must submit completed applications along with supporting documentation, which are submitted to a general lottery drawing.
School uniforms
As of the 2017 And 2018 school year there will be no uniform policy but the students will still have to follow the HISD school dress code.
Curriculum
In preparation for university and possible careers in international business, students are required to complete two service-learning projects, four years of foreign language study, and the curriculum required by the Texas Scholars program. To graduate, they must also complete a 180-hour, internationally focused internship. Students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to earn both high-school and college credit by taking HCC classes. The Academy also provides students with the opportunity to participate in international programs such as Model United Nations.
Demographics
As of 2006, 95% of the students were racial and ethnic minorities. 75% of the school's ninth grade class were low income students.
