About HPHS

Highland Park High School: A Continuing Tradition of Excellence!

What kind of high school shapes the diverse talents of people who have claimed such prestigious honors as the Nobel Prize, Olympic gold medals, the Oscar, an Emmy, the Heisman trophy, the Pulitzer Prize, and becoming valedictorians in the same year at West Point and Annapolis?

Graduates of Highland Park High School have been elected Governor of Texas, served as one of the nation’s astronauts, commanded the first Trident-class submarine launched by the United States, and distinguished themselves in fields ranging from medicine and law to the fine arts and journalism.

Almost ninety years ago, the class of 1924 became the first graduating class of Highland Park High School, beginning a tradition of excellence and success at HPHS that is still valued today. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School and rated "Exemplary" by the Texas Education Agency every single year since the state accountability system began, HPHS is consistently ranked among the best schools in the nation. In 2010, U.S. News and World Report recognized HPHS as one of "America's Best High Schools." It has also been named a top school by such publications as Newsweek, Parade, Money, The Wall Street Journal, D Magazine, and Texas Monthly.

Highland Park High School, in upholding its tradition of excellence, has earned the following achievements:

Our students earned 685 Advanced Placement Scholar Awards.
HPHS has won an unprecedented 13 UIL Lone Star Cup awards, more than any other school in UIL history, demonstrating excellence in academics, arts, athletics and a commitment to community service.
HPHS has won a total of 123 state team UIL titles in athletics and academics since the school opened 100 years ago in 1922.
- The school holds the UIL record for the most athletic state titles by one school, with 77 titles in all classes.
Some recent state championships include:
- Academic Decathlon team placed 2nd in the 2023 6A State Finals and the previous year the team won its 6th state title in 7 years.
- The boys golf team has won a UIL-record 22 team state titles and 12 individual state championships.
- The Scots Lacrosse teams have won 10 State Championships,
- The Scots Varsity Football team won three consecutive state championships in 5A Div. I from 2016-18.
- 4 individuals named to All-State Band and All-State Choir.

You will find not only superior academic achievement at HPHS, but also the desire and ability to excel in music, drama, journalism, athletics, arts and other fields. More than half of the students at Highland Park participate on school athletic teams, and approximately 80% of HPHS students are active in extracurricular activities.

HPHS students continue to excel after graduation as well, with approximately 97% of each year's graduates enrolling in colleges and universities.

The HPHS Mission Statement reads: “Highland Park High School, upholding its tradition of excellence, exists to provide a learning environment that prepares students to serve as engaged global citizens in a complex and ever-changing world."

Highland Park High School Vision is "the spirit of a people is disclosed by the education of its youth," each of us in our school community commits to enrich life by cultivating:

Knowledge and a lifetime love of learning
Responsible citizenship and compassionate tolerance, &
Self-disciplined confidence and integrity

So that they may "Enter to Learn - Go Forth to Serve."

Nondiscrimination Statement:

Highland Park Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disabilities in providing educational services, activities, and programs in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.