A graduate who wishes to obtain a replacement copy of his or her high-school diploma must first obtain a copy of his or her transcript from Inactive Records (see "Transcripts" for details) and present it to the registrar at his or her individual high school. Click here for a list of high-school registrars.

Each high school has its own policies and procedures for obtaining copies of diplomas, but most charge a fee between $30 and $35 and require 6-8 weeks to process the request.

Do I really need a duplicate diploma?

In many cases, the answer is no.

If the only reason you want one is to provide proof of graduation to a potential employer, then you should know that a duplicate diploma is not considered an official document. Diplomas are considered commemorative items, whose function is primarily ceremonial.

For proof of graduation, you will need to obtain a certified copy of your high-school transcript, which can be obtained free of charge from your high school's registrar.

Please note: Replacement diplomas are not reproductions of the original documents issued. Replacement diplomas will be signed by the current principal and superintendent of schools at the time the request is processed, which may be different from those who were in office when the degree was actually obtained.

HISD graduates who wish to give back to their schools or communities have several avenues open to them.

Volunteers in Public Schools offers individuals, businesses, and other organizations a variety of ways to support public education. Volunteers may choose to tutor students, act as mentors or advisors, organize or host field trips, or serve students in other ways. Companies and organizations, meanwhile, may choose to finance award banquets, purchase school supplies, or encourage their employees to volunteer. For more information call 713-556-7200.

The HISD Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization created to fund programs that the district either doesn't have the resources or the authority to provide for students and teachers. It has worked for years with the Fund for Teachers to provide educators with restorative summer sabbaticals, and in November 2003 it helped fund PSAT for All, a districtwide initiative to administer the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQAT) to all HISD tenth-graders. For more information, visit the website or call 713-556-7200.

Alumni associations at each HISD high school would welcome the chance to work with former students. Volunteers can help organize class reunions, plan upcoming events, join the PTA, or find other ways to serve their alma mater. Click the link above or contact your high school for more information.

Power for Schools is a partnership between HISD and various retail power suppliers that allows consumers to raise money for their favorite campuses while doing something they already do every day: use electricity. The program requires no door-to-door selling for students and costs consumers nothing to participate. For more information, visit the Power for Schools website.

Donors Choose is an online charity that allows supporters to fund any of the various projects and requests described by teachers on the website. Teachers whose projects are fully funded provide photos of their classes enjoying the equipment or supplies purchased, and students send a personalized thank-you note to their supporters. 

Clicking the link below opened a partial list of notable people who attended or graduated from HISD schools. To nominate someone for inclusion on the list, please send an email that contains the person’s full given name (maiden name, if changed by marriage), date of graduation, high school attended, and significant accomplishments to info@houstonisd.org for consideration.

Click here to see the list.

Click this link to find out more about HISD alumni.