The Bush Center

Passport to Lead

Engages young people to lead by uniting faith, intellect, and gifts to reach their greatest promise.
At The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders, we believe that all students have leadership potential and their particular gifts, talents, and skills can be enhanced through biblically-based education, training, and development.

We believe that leadership is a process, not a position; therefore, the broad goal of our leadership program is to promote a culture of engaged and spiritual leadership at Houston Christian.

All Houston Christian students participate in the Passport to Lead program. Those who are able to exhibit their engagement with an understanding of the leadership outcomes will be recognized with a leadership distinction on their diploma at the culmination of the four year journey. Passport to Lead began in the fall of 2006 to lead, monitor, and evaluate program effectiveness.

The Leadership Honor Code

I understand that Houston Christian High School takes an open stand for the Lord Jesus Christ and encourages students to grow in grace and in knowledge of Christ. As a leader, I pledge to live according to the standards outlined in the Student Handbook, which has been established for my own good and for the good of the entire school community.

Veterans Day

Each year, Houston Christian High School hosts a Veterans Day assembly organized by the Passport to Lead Program of The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders. It is a time for our community to honor the many men and women who have served our country, including family members of students and faculty, and HC alumni. Our students, faculty, and staff are blessed to hear from a guest speaker, who focuses on the theme of leadership, honor, and glorify our Lord.

Quick Links

About Our Program

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  • Curriculum and Requirements

    Passport to Lead teaches students five dimensions of leadership: Spiritual, Personal, Interpersonal, Managerial, and Organizational. Students learn how character is critical, practice selflessness through volunteering, and experience how to work successfully in a group environment through the “Mustang Challenge,” a day of fun mental, tactile, and physical team games.

    Students will complete traditional teaching assignments such as attending classroom lectures, textbook study, and written reports, along with a quarterly movie analysis, case study reviews, and in-class presentations. Movies and case studies chosen highlight specific leadership principles and provide material for discussions. Previous movies shown include "Master and Commander," "Remember the Titans," "Apollo 13," "Miracle," and "Moneyball."

    For program recognition, and practical learning, students must complete 25 leadership activities across the 5 dimensions by the end of their senior year.  These activities are tracked in their personal leadership passports.
  • Textbooks

    “Beyond Talent” by John C. Maxwell
    “DRiVE, The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink
    “Mindset” by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
  • Benefits

    • All freshmen will be inducted into the Passport to Lead program and will receive their personal passport and a specialized T-shirt.
    • At the end of their sophomore year if they are on track they qualify for a summer wilderness trip in southwest Colorado where they are taught teamwork.
    • At the end of their junior year if they are on track they receive a letter of recommendation signed by the Houston Christian Chairman of the Board.
    • If they successfully complete the program they graduate with a distinctive red sash, they are recognized when they receive their diploma, and they have their diploma embossed with the prestigious Passport to Lead emblem. 

    We integrate leadership topics in the curriculum of every course taught at Houston Christian. Every instructor is required to teach one leadership class per quarter, giving Houston Christian graduates close to 140 hours of leadership training.  Biblically-based leadership principles are taught in Bible, literature, history, mathematics, arts, and athletics.
  • Studies in Leadership

    There are many leadership elective courses designed for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The courses are taught by the Leadership Department and are student-centered learning.  The objective is for students to gain an understanding of all five dimensions of leadership so that they can apply this newly gained knowledge to go out as Christian young men and women and make a difference in their school, community, nation, and beyond. Students will learn that character is critical, they will experience selflessness through serving, and they will practice how to collaborate within a group environment.

Contact Director

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  • Photo of Scott Cubbler

    Scott Cubbler 

    Passport to Lead Program Director
    Trinity University - B.S.