Mission

The mission of The Chinquapin School is to provide a high quality college-preparatory education to able and motivated youth from low-income families in the Greater Houston area.  Through its rigorous curriculum and an emphasis on communty service and earning what one receives, Chinquapin aims to produce responsible, well-educated citizens who will become constructive leaders in the community.

Founders

The Chinquapin School was founded by Bob and Maxine Moore. Bob was head of the English Department at St. John's School in Houston before starting Chinquapin, which was incorporated in March of 1969.

Location

25 miles east of downtown Houston, just north of I-10, in Highlands, Texas.

Finances

All students are on scholarship, but we charge a small tuition of $30 to $100+ per month, based on family income. Close to 80% of our students pay $50 or less. Those unable to pay the minimum tuition work additional hours apart from their daily chore-time requirement.

Operating budget for 2010-11 is $1,999,732 (approximately $11,000 per student, which includes room and board for 7th - 12th grade males, transportation, and pro-rated operating costs).

Budgeted funding sources are: 64.5% from private donations and events, 1.5% from interest and dividends, 16.1% from endowment, 2.9% from tuition, 1.6% from the School Hot Lunch program (our only government aid), 13.3% from designated funds, and 0.3% from miscellaneous sources.

Students

The 2010-11 school year began with 164 students (80 boys, 84 girls) in the 6th through 12th grades. The ethnic makeup of the student body is 78% Hispanic, 17% African American, 3% White and 2% Asian. The 7th-12th grade boys live on campus Monday through Friday; the girls and 6th grade boys are bussed to the campus daily.

Alumni

380 students have graduated from Chinquapin in 35 graduating classes, the first in 1975.

• 95% of our graduates have attended college in the last 23 years (1984-2010)
• 85% of our alumni have graduated from college or are on target to graduate
• 6 are currently in the Armed Forces

Our alumni have attended the following colleges and universities:

Stanford, Columbia, Rice, Smith, Notre Dame, Middlebury, Pomona, Purdue, Northwestern, Howard, Occidental, St. Thomas, Drake, Colorado College, Evergreen State, University of Texas, University of Houston, Trinity, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of the South, Austin College, Xavier, American University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Santa Clara, Sam Houston, Smith College, Southwestern, St. Edward's, St. Mary's, University of Wisconsin, Texas Christian, Texas Southern, Our Lady of the Lake, Northland College, Prairie View A&M, Reed, Bowdoin, Knox, Morehouse, Bethany and Hendrix

Recruiting Process

Meetings for prospective students and their parents are held in early spring at several locations in Houston and at Chinquapin. We introduce candidates to the school, administer short tests in reading and mathematics, and interview each prospect. From this group, students are chosen to attend a one-week summer "tryout" session at the school. From the summer group, the students who are best qualified are invited to attend Chinquapin in the fall.