The Honors College at The University of Houston is proud to serve as a resource for hundreds of schools in and around the Houston area. Through our community engagement initiative, Honors and the Schools, we offer stimulating and thought-provoking teacher institutes, summer seminars, public lectures, special events, in-school visits, and teaching collaborations. Our goal is to support and enhance the learning environment in schools by sharing our passion and expertise in a variety of subject areas.  

Common Ground Institute

The Common Ground Teachers Institute, supported by The John P. McGovern Foundation, is a collaboration of faculty at the University of Houston and teachers of English from secondary schools throughout the Houston area. Teachers study classic works in American literature alongside significant works by minority writers. 

Scholars In Schools

The Scholars in Schools program is a collaboration of faculty at the University of Houston and teachers in varying disciplines from secondary schools throughout the Houston area and Texas at large. Professors are paired with teachers based on requested lecture topics tailored to the teachers’ curriculum.

Cougar Junior Scholars

CJS allows 7th and 8th graders to experience college courses during the summer. Courses in creative writing, chemistry, literature and engineering are taught by actual University faculty.

PBK Honors Academy

The PBK Honors Academy is a free summer institute for promising high school students who are nominated by their high school counselors. The academy consists of workshops, performances, and mini-courses led by Phi Beta Kappa and University of Houston professors.