Note: School admissions season is August through January, with many deadlines in December.
Dear [insert name here],
Given our conversations, I think it’s safe to say there is some possibility of you joining our team here in Houston.
I’d imagine that finding the right schools for your children will be an important consideration as you make your decision. Houston has some great school options, and I wanted to share a few resources and timelines that may be helpful.
If you are considering public schools, you should know that Houston ISD, the largest school district in Houston, has both neighborhood or “zone" schools, which you attend based on where you live. The district also offers choice (called "magnet") schools, which allow families to attend specialty schools (STEM focused, single-gender, Gifted and Talented, etc.) outside of their “zone”. These schools are called magnet schools and require interested families to complete an application due in December. The application and more information about Houston ISD magnet schools can be found here. Houston is also served by Spring Branch, Katy and Fort Bend ISD—depending on your commute tolerance.
For information on how these schools perform academically, Children-At-Risk, a local non-profit ranks Houston Area public schools based on student performance on state-mandated exams. While this may provide a great starting point, keep in mind that what makes a school right for your family may involve more than end of year exams.
If you are interested in private schools, you can visit Houston Area Private Schools. This site has a list of independent schools in the Greater Houston Area as well as links to the schools’ websites and contact information. School admissions season runs late August through December. Some schools have January deadlines, but it’s recommended that applications be in before the holidays.
Houston is also home to well-regarded public charter schools Harmony (K-12), KIPP (PS3-12) and YES Prep Public Schools (6th-12th). Public charters are free public schools that must meet state standards but have been granted the autonomy that is often associated with independent schools: hiring privileges, budget control, curriculum design, etc. All three charters conduct a lottery to fill their open seats, so interested families must complete an application to be considered.
While we are still in the interview process, I wanted you to have this information so that when the time comes, you and your family will be eager to call Houston home. If you’d like guidance navigating your school options, check out Crumbine Education Consulting. They help local and relocating families find the right schools for their children.
All best,
