[9][10] During the final day of school around 11 a.m. June 2, 1988, three African-American teenagers attacked a white football player in an Algebra class.

[11] A 1988 Houston Chronicle article written one day after the brawl stated that Sharpstown had a history of racial tension.

[11] Deborah Tedford and Burke Watson of the Houston Chronicle wrote that "The Sharpstown campus has been plagued with outbursts of violence during school year — with parents taking to the halls as volunteer security monitors in November to quell disturbances.

[12] Larry Yawn, an HISD spokesperson, and principal Don Carlisle said the officials were not aware of rumors about an upcoming fight.

[12] In spring 1991, as a result of the 1988 scuffle, Carlisle prohibited students from wearing Confederate States of America-related clothing at the May 17 prom.

Former Sharpstown assistant principal Robert Kimball asserts that HISD coerced administrators at many schools to lie on dropout rates.

In 2007, a Johns Hopkins University study cited Sharpstown as a "dropout factory" where at least 40% of the entering freshman class does not make it to their senior year.

[23] Texas Governor Rick Perry held a press conference on August 24, 2010 at Sharpstown HS to discuss education initiatives.

[26] By January 2006, on one internet bulletin board, gangs stated that they "run" Sharpstown High School; Terry Abbott, the Houston ISD spokesperson, denied all such statements.

[28] In 2013 principal Rob Gasparello was charged by Harris County prosecutors with three counts of failing to report child abuse, and therefore he stayed off campus all year.

[31] By 1996 there were thirty-nine temporary buildings due to overcrowding, housing over 50% of the students on campus at a time, and the library also held classes.

[28] As of 2009-2010, the Apollo football program is headed up by Coach Devin Heasley, and Coordinators Isaiah Johnson (Defense) and Jeff Whitehall (Offense).

The 2011-2012 Apollo football program won their first district championship in school history (6-0) record with Dallas Blacklock as their head coach.

The Apollo Queens Dance and Drill team was established when Sharpstown Senior High School opened, its first line in 1968 under the direction of Bettye Yeager.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Apollo Queens were able to bring home a first place title in Lyrical and Pom during the Marching Auxiliaries Virtual Contests as well as a superior rating for Officers.