There's no better way for parents to give their kids a solid foundation in life than enrolling them into good Houston schools. It's best to find a school environment that meets your child's needs. In particular, the school you enroll your child into should allow him/her to experience diverse learning opportunities.
In this guide, we'll outline the different categories of schools in Houston, TX, to enable parents to make insightful decisions regarding where to enroll their kids.
Public Schools in Houston
The city of Houston has the largest public system in Texas. It's also the 7th largest school district in America, with a student population of about 200,000 spread across almost 300 schools. Houston's public school system also includes several specialty schools, including a college prep academy and a performing arts school.
All public schools in Houston are overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The federal and state government mainly funds the school district, but it also has a foundation for raising money from private sources.
Typically, students get assigned to schools according to location. Therefore, if you wish to have your child enrolled in Houston's public school system, your first option will be an institution close to where you live. However, transfer options are available to parents and students who wish to attend public schools in their neighborhood.
Is it Worthwhile to Enroll Your Child in a Houston Public School?
In America, the public school system is generally considered to be for underprivileged communities. However, Houston schools seem to de defying the norm because they are typically considered to be excellent. The cost of educating your kids in a public school is low. Likewise, when it comes to applying for colleges, little consideration is given to the school that your kids attended.
Every year, thousands of students graduate from public schools here, having concluded one of the most rigid curricula. The fact that there's a wide gap between private and public schools doesn't mean that students who attend the latter cannot excel.
The Houston school district is home to several top-performing public schools such as Carnegie Vanguard High School, Harmony School of Innovation, and Eastwood Academy.
Some of these schools are located in the affluent neighborhoods of Houston. Public schools in the district are meant for everyone and offer the highest level of education. Therefore, it's worthwhile to enroll your kids in Houston public schools.
School Districts in Houston
All American schools are organized into ISDs (Independent School Districts). Your child will either be enrolled in an elementary, middle, or high school within ISD where you live. You can transfer to a different school within your ISD.
However, the reasons for transfer should be valid and also supported by the receiving and sending schools. In rare cases, students can attend school outside their ISD. However, enrolling in such schools involves an intricate application and approval process.
If you reside in a zone where your chosen school is located, there will always be a vacancy for your child, even if the institution is "full." On the other hand, private schools can enroll learners from any school district provided that they meet entrance requirements. Once all enrollment places get filled, they can't take in more students, unlike public schools. Thus, they create a waiting list for un-enrolled students.
There are 20 school districts in the city. The Houston Independent School District is the largest of them all. The school districts serving Houston include:
- Alief Independent School District
- Fort Bend Independent School District
- Humble Independent School District
- Tomball Independent School District
Typically, the Texas Education Agency ranks public schools and school districts every year. The rankings are best on the performance of school districts and schools in the following areas:
- Student Achievement: This shows how much students know and can do at the end of the academic year.
- School Progress: How much progress have students made over time, and how does it compare to other school districts?
Houston's school districts have made substantial gains over the past few years. The quality of education has improved, and this is attested to by improved graduation rates and enrollment in higher-level institutions.
For instance, the Houston Independent Schools District is a recipient of the Broad Prize, which recognizes public school systems that have made massive gains in students' achievement.
High Schools Around the Metropolitan Area
High school education is meant to prepare students for college. In Texas, most high schools offer students a four-year curriculum within one campus. However, some school districts operate separate campuses for ninth or tenth-grade students.
For some parents, more so those who are moving to Houston, choosing a high school for their children is simple: They enroll the young ones in schools within their locality. For instance, if you live within the Pasadena Independent School District, the obvious choice is to send your kids to South Houston High School. However, parents who can afford private school education have the flexibility to send their kids to any school, location notwithstanding.
The following tips can help you choose the best private or public high schools in Houston to send your kids:
Do Your Research
There are dozens of high schools in Houston. Each of them has a distinct mission, values, and culture. The values held in high esteem at Sam Houston High School differ from those at Lamar High School Houston.
Individual institutions can also vary in substance and style depending on their religious affiliation. Doing some research about high schools in your district will go a long way in determining whether they are a perfect fit for your kids. Besides, it will save you time and effort of applying to an institution that doesn't suit your children.
Consider Your Child's Interests and Skills
Your kid's interests should come first when choosing a high school to send them. School prepares students for adulthood, and it's where they develop their individuality. Thus, they should be allowed to develop at their own pace and in an environment that favors their individuality. If your child is into sports, it makes sense to send him/her to a high school known to nurture sporting talent.
Before you start sending out applications, ask your kids what they want to do with their lives. This will give you an idea about what they want to get from school. Consequently, you'll be able to send them to high schools that help them fulfill their abilities and grow into the best version of themselves.
All parents wish to mold their kids into the best version of themselves. However, this doesn't mean you should send yours to the so-called "best schools." Instead, find an institution that suits your kids academically, socially, and talent-wise.
Visit the Campus
Before applying to a high school, it's best to visit the campus alongside your kids to gauge whether the school is a "cultural fit."
Spending time on campus will help you to determine what's vital to the school and the things they value. Visit when classes are in session or check out school events such as games. During the visit, observe how learners interact with their teachers and with each other.
A high school's social aspect will stick with learners long after they graduate in today’s interconnected world. Thus, it would help if you gave that some consideration. It's always advisable to enroll learners in high schools to form lifelong social bonds that will extend into their professional lives. If a school encourages such social connections, it's the perfect fit for your kids.
Evaluate the Wellness Policy
High school students undergo a lot of stress due to the transition from childhood to adulthood. It doesn't surprise that incidents such as student-instigated mass shootings mostly occur in high schools. Your kids can only thrive academically and socially in a school that has a comprehensive wellness policy.
As a parent, it's best to determine whether the institutions you're interested in have implemented a proactive approach towards learner's mental health. Have they employed a resident student counselor? What's their policy towards spotting issues early? If a high school doesn't prioritize students' wellness, you might want to find better alternatives.
Middle Schools and Junior Highs
For most students in Houston and elsewhere, enrolling in high school is a big deal. Middle school prepares learners for high school education. As the name suggests, it's in the middle of students' school years, with elementary school behind them and high school and possibly college ahead of them. In the state of Texas, middle school education typically includes grades six, seven, and eight.
In middle school, learners stay in the classroom for 6.5 to 7 hours on average per day.
You can also enroll your kids in before or after-school programs, which are typically made available through the institution they are enrolled in.
These programs aren't free. Generally, if the programs are taught in a different location from the middle school campus, the school will provide transportation.
For most students, middle school is a roller coaster. For starters, it means moving away from elementary school to a new institution. Adjusting to the new environment can be challenging because they'll be learning in a new school with different students. Thankfully, middle school offers learners an opportunity to discover themselves. Unlike elementary school, there are various new clubs and sports activities that students can engage in.
Often, Houston middle schools organize an orientation day for new students. The event allows them to learn a little more about the school and what to expect once classes begin. Some of Houston's top middle schools include Pershing Middle School, Cornerstone Academy, Claughton Middle School, and Burbank Middle School.
Why Middle School Matters
Middle school plays a significant role in shaping learners' emotional and social patterns. The middle school age offers the school system the perfect opportunity to align learners on the right career and academic path. They learn good habits at a level higher than elementary school, as their curiosity, grit, and personality traits get shaped.
In the middle grades, learners' brains become more conscious and specialized. The range of abilities that the brain can learn at this stage is remarkable.
Enrolling Your Child in a Houston Middle School
To enroll your child into a Houston middle school, you first need to locate a school in your district to inquire about the required enrollment documentation. You will be asked to produce residency documentation, proof of state-required immunizations, the child's birth certificate or any other proof of identity, and academic records from elementary school.
Elementary Schools: Ready for Young People
The elementary school lays the foundation of your child's education. In Houston, elementary education typically starts at the age of five or six years. It focuses on basic academic learning and introduces kids to a broad range of knowledge, behaviors, and skills they need in life, more so when they proceed to middle school. Students learn basic arithmetic, English (vocabulary, spelling, and grammar), and other subjects' basics.
The curriculum taught in Houston elementary schools is determined by the school district. Besides, individual school districts select curriculum guides as well as textbooks that learners will use. They also set learning standards and benchmarks for different grade levels.
Elementary schools can either be public or privately-owned. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, public elementary schools that receive government funding must test and assess pupils' progress each year. Texas has developed its set of standards, which are used to gauge students' progress.
Enrolling in Houston Elementary Schools
The Texas Education Code outlines circumstances under which learners at least five years old on September 1 of a school year are entitled to enrollment in a school district.
If you're planning to send your child to Fort Sam Houston Elementary School, Memorial Elementary School, or any other public elementary school, you must reside in the school district.
To enroll your child into an elementary school in Huston, you should provide certain records within one month of enrollment.
These include the child's academic records from his/her most recently attended school, a birth certificate or any other proof of identity, and immunization records. When applying to a school, you also need to prove that you live within the school district.
When transferring your child to a different school district, the previous school district should provide the necessary records required for a student's appropriate placement to the enrolling district. Nevertheless, the previous school district's failure to provide school records or identification doesn't mean that an eligible student will automatically be refused admission to a school such as Fort Sam Houston Elementary School.
Private Schools in the Local Area
There is a broad range of private school options in Houston. Most offer small class sizes, challenging and innovative curriculum, and seasoned teaching staff. This contributes to the academic and social maturity of learners.
Houston private schools such as Appleseed Private School administer standardized tests to students. Before choosing a private school to send your children to, the following considerations should be kept in mind:
- Academic reputation
- College preparation
- School and class size
- Special programs offered
- Moral and religious instruction
- Cost
- Location
Due to Houston's abundance of private schools, finding the right school for your child can be challenging. For many parents seeking to send their kids to Houston private schools, academic reputation plays a significant role.
Indeed, there are many excellent public schools in Houston, but some perform below the bar. Thus, parents who can afford private education overlook public schools in favor of private schools. Besides, public schools tend to be zoned in.
It's difficult to send your kids to a public school in a different school district. With private education, you can send your child to any school.
The average private school tuition in Houston is about $10,000 per year. Before you even consider how well a school performs, you should first determine whether you can afford it. Although sending your kids to private schools is desirable, it shouldn't be an unnecessary financial burden to your family.
Generally, the cost of tuition in private high schools is higher than in private elementary schools. Thus, while selecting a private school for your kids, it's best to keep in mind that the cost will keep rising as they proceed to a higher grade.
The cost of sending your kids to private schools doesn't stop with the monthly tuition bill. Other hidden costs include buying textbooks, field trips, fundraising fees, sports, and other school activities. If the tuition bill tips your bank balance into the negative, then private school education is too expensive for you to handle.
Your kids' interests should also be a top consideration when looking at private schools in your area.
No one knows the young ones better than you do, and therefore, you need to find a school that offers what the kids need. Look beyond the impressive facts and stats that schools typically advertise. Consider your kids' weaknesses and strengths, and evaluate how the school will offer the requisite support.
For instance, if your child is talented in sports but struggles in class, will the schools under consideration provide opportunities to engage in sports? Will there be special classes and tutoring to strengthen the kid's academic performance?
School is more than just academic performance. It's a place where your kids socialize and make friends. A private school with high test scores but doesn't encourage social activities isn't healthy for kids. When considering schools, ask how students get involved in local community activities and deal with bullying issues.
Christian Schools
More Houston parents are sending their kids to Christian schools. These schools form the fastest-growing segment of private education. Houston Christian schools, such as Texas Christian School, are often structured similarly to public schools.
Some are either wholly or partly associated with churches, while others are independent. Like other schools, Christian schools in Texas adhere to a long-established interpretation of fundamentalist social and religious values.
The curriculum employed by Christian educators in Catholic schools and other Christian schools typically varies significantly from one school to another.
The most popular curriculum taught at Christian schools in Houston is the Accelerated Christian Education program (ACE). Regardless of the curriculum used in Christian schools, students perform at par with those at public and private schools.
Most Christian schools hire teachers based on religious convictions rather than academic qualifications. Teaching in the school is considered more or less of a religious mission rather than a career. Thus, it isn't surprising that the teachers earn significantly less than their counterparts who teach in public and private schools.
Should You Send Your Kids to Christian Schools?
Christian schools are getting popular among Houston residents due to their ability to balance spiritual well-being and academic performance.
Institutions such as Grace Christian School tout themselves as an alternative to private and public schools since they focus on academic excellence and character development. Here's why you should consider sending your kids to Christian schools:
They Focus on Moral Development
You can send your kids to a Christian school if you believe that they need a Biblical foundation in their education. These schools are characterized by a healthy learning environment that encourages faculty, learners, and staff to form authentic relationships.
Most Christian schools believe that education isn't just about excelling academically, but character-wise. Thus, they sharpen students' minds, nurture their talents, and deepen their faith.
Shared Values
With Christian schooling, whatever your children learn in school is an extension of what they learn at home. They get to grow stronger spiritually and smarter academically.
Charter Schools
Houston is home to nearly 200 charter schools. Typically, these are publicly-funded independent schools established by parents, teachers, or community organizations under charters with local or national authorities. Unlike traditional public schools, charter schools are not required to follow municipal, state, or school district regulations.
Thus, they have the flexibility to set their curriculum and school hours. For instance, Bloom Academy Charter School isn't bound by regulations applicable to public schools in Texas. Learning hours are also different from other schools.
Just like traditional learning institutions, charter schools can either be effective or ineffective.
The performance of these schools also relies on the quality of faculty, leadership, and other factors. Since most charter schools are tuition-free, they have helped many students from low-income neighborhoods to access education and achieve high test scores.
Enrolling Your Child at a Charter School
According to the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, these institutions aren't supposed to impose any admissions policies. For instance, they shouldn't administer entrance exams to applicants. Charter schools are known for strict discipline policies, explaining why expulsion rates are higher than traditional schools.
Thanks to the growing number of charter schools in Houston, gone are the days when education choice meant deciding between public schools in your district and costly private schools.
Charter schools perform just as well as other schools and are an excellent option for parents who are apprehensive about traditional schools. They offer the following benefits:
Diverse Student Population
Although charter schools often get criticized for segregating students, they promote diversity. Public schools typically admit students from one district, which private education is for those who can afford it. On their part, any student can join a charter school, which leads to more diversity.
Accountability
Charter schools offer more flexibility and curricular freedom than public schools. With increased freedom comes more accountability because schools that don't meet their targets risk losing their charters.
Ability to Specialize
Most Houston charter schools specialize in one area, such as the performing arts or science and technology. Thus, they attract students whose interests align with the classes thought. As a result, charter schools prepare students better than traditional public schools.
Boarding Schools in Houston
Not many American parents send their kids to boarding schools. However, those who do so have valid reasons, including:
- Special programs such as film-making, sailing, and pilot training
- Overseas work for parents
- Change of environment
- Academic focus
There are two broad categories of boarding schools; therapeutic schools and traditional college preparation schools. The former focuses on students with learning disabilities and those who have other support needs. On the other hand, conventional boarding schools focus on preparing learners for the challenges of university life. The Village School is the most renowned boarding school in Houston.
Summer Schools in Houston
Many Houston schools run summer programs that combine educational and fun activities that prepare students for the upcoming academic year.
These programs also help to avert the "summer slide." Summer schools help close the achievement gap by allowing students to be in an informal class environment while on summer break.
Learners get to experience a new kind of school environment over the summer, meet students and teachers from other schools, and ultimately, gain a new perspective. Most summer school programs are also free, which is a lure to parents who wish to keep their kids busy during the summer break.
Houston parents with school-going kids have a ton of options for the young ones' education.
From charter schools to public schools, the possibilities are limitless. However, it's best to ensure that the school you choose for your kids is a perfect fit and contributes to their academic and overall development.