Houston Academy

For 33 years, Debbie Thornton has been much more than Houston Academy’s Director of Finance—she has been a steady, trusted presence whose dedication, wisdom, and care have helped shape our school in countless ways.

As Debbie prepares to retire at the end of July, we want to celebrate the lasting impact she has made on generations of students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni. Her commitment to Houston Academy has been extraordinary, and her legacy will be felt for years to come.

If you would like to stop by and wish Debbie well as she begins this exciting new chapter, she would love to see you. Debbie will be on campus throughout the summer, Tuesday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The photos featured in this post were taken during Debbie’s retirement celebration in May, where members of the Houston Academy family gathered to honor her remarkable career and thank her for her years of dedicated service.
Please join us in thanking Debbie for 33 remarkable years of service and in wishing her all the best in her retirement. Once HA, always HA. 💙

Houston Academy is excited to highlight Anna Capps, who joined our team this spring as Advancement Assistant and Registrar! As she prepares for her first full school year at HA, here are a few thoughts from Anna as she looks ahead to continuing her work with the Raider family.

“My name is Anna Capps, and I serve as the Advancement Assistant and Registrar at Houston Academy. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Information Sciences with a major in Public Relations and a Master of Science in Human Environmental Sciences. I bring eight years of experience in education, along with a passion for building strong relationships and supporting the school community.

I am blessed to share life with my husband, Brandon, and our seven-month-old daughter, Kate. As a family, we are enjoying this special season of life together.

As I look ahead to the coming school year, I am excited to continue serving Houston Academy and helping strengthen connections between the school, families, and the broader community. I am looking forward to building meaningful relationships, supporting the mission of Houston Academy, and celebrating the students, families, and achievements that make our school community so special.”

We are grateful for the impact Anna has already made during her time at Houston Academy and look forward to all she will continue to accomplish in the years ahead.

Houston Academy is excited to welcome Jodie Shelley to our Middle School faculty as a Mathematics Teacher! Here are a few thoughts from Mrs. Shelley as she looks ahead to joining the Raider family.

"My name is Jodie Shelley, and I am joining the Middle School Faculty as Mathematics Teacher with twenty-six years of experience in education. I hold both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Mathematics Education, as well as Master's degrees in School Counseling and Instructional Leadership. I believe that every student can achieve at high levels when supported through kindness, encouragement, and high expectations. By cultivating a positive learning environment grounded in love, respect, and a pursuit of excellence, I strive to empower students to reach their full academic and personal potential.

I am blessed to share life with my husband, Michael, and our two sons, Wade and Wyatt. In my free time, I enjoy listening to worship music, spending time with our three dogs, running, and, of course, watching baseball games.

As I look ahead to the coming school year, I am especially excited about the opportunity to serve the Houston Academy family, and look forward to building meaningful relationships, supporting student growth, and contributing to a culture of excellence."

Please join us in welcoming Mrs. Shelley to the Raider family. We are excited for the impact she will make on our students and school community!

Future Raiders, this one’s for you! Come train, make new friends, and have fun at an HA sports summer camp! Sign up soon- spots are limited!

www.houstonacademy.com/camps

26-27 Schedule of Events

Please note Houston Academy will operate on adjusted summer hours tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Please come join the Celebration Choir in honor of our beloved Ms. Griffin! All are welcome! See the link in our story for rehearsal tracks and details. 💚

With heavy hearts, we remember Miss Amy Griffin, a beloved teacher, mentor, role model, and friend to the Houston Academy community.

On Tuesday, counselors will be available from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for any students, faculty, staff, or community members who may need support during this difficult time.

A candlelight vigil honoring Miss Griffin will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the HA Amphitheater. We invite all members of the HA family to join us as we celebrate her life, her impact, and the countless memories she helped create for so many.

Cards and pens will also be available for those who would like to share special thoughts and memories with the Griffin family. Please continue to keep the Griffin family and the entire HA community in your prayers.

🎉

📸 Tyler Bowman Photography