The brief
Houston ISD is the largest district in Texas: 184,109 students across 274 campuses. We rate 262 of them, and those ratings run 2.2 to 9.5 around a median of 7.0, with 137 at 7 or better and 23 below 5.
The top of that range is mostly application and audition programs rather than neighborhood assignments. Kinder H S for Performing and Visual Arts rates 8.9 and Debakey H S for Health Prof 8.6; an address does not buy a seat in either, and the choice window closes months before the school year starts.
Elementary is where zoning pays off: 104 of the 171 rated elementary schools reach 7 or better. Young EL posted the largest recent gain in state test proficiency, up 26.6 points.
The Houston five
Each district's rated campuses on one 1–10 axis, best median first.- Katy ISD71 rated7.4
- Cypress-Fairbanks ISD87 rated7.1
- Houston ISD262 rated7.0
- Spring Branch ISD39 rated6.3
- Aldine ISD65 rated6.2
The spread
Every rated campus counted by level, in five bins on the 1–10 axis.Price and quality
Campus ratings by the median home value of their ZIPs, cheapest band first.- under $135k70 campuses7.2median
- $135k–$200k55 campusesFranklin EL · 9.5 at $163k6.6median
- $200k–$375k69 campuses6.8median
- $375k and up68 campuses7.5median
On the ground
The numbers, and who goes here.- Students
- 184,109
- Largest in Texas · 11,785 teachers
- Schools
- 274
- 178 elementary · 43 middle · 46 high · 7 other
- School ratings
- 2.2–9.5
- median 7.0 · 262 rated on verified STAAR
- avg 6.9
- Child poverty
- 27.0%
- Cy-Fair 16.5% · Katy 10.8%
- Census SAIPE · 2024
- Spending / student
- $13,072
- +$104 vs Texas median
- NCES F-33 · FY 2023
- Students per teacher
- 15.6
- Cy-Fair 14.7 · Katy 14.0
Where it ranks
#9of 55
Houston-area districts rated on verified STAAR data See the ranking
#294 of 900 Texas districts (mostly small rural LEAs)
Largest district in Texas · 184,109 students
Explore the metro on the map, or look up an address. This page does not resolve attendance zones.
At a glance
- Enrollment
- 184,109NCES CCD · 2023
- Teachers (FTE)
- 11,785NCES CCD · 2023
- Students / teacher
- 15.6:1NCES CCD · 2023
- Spending per student
- $13,072NCES F-33 · FY 2023
- Child poverty
- 27.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
- Math proficiency
- 56.2%District average
- ELA proficiency
- 57.4%District average
- Directory year
- 2023NCES CCD
Schools by level
Ratings, a top ten, and the full list — one level at a time.Elementary
178 elementary schools · median 7.4 · 104 rated 7+ · 3 rated under 4
Elementary is where an address pays off: 104 of the 171 rated elementary schools reach 7 or better.
| # | School | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Franklin EL | 239 | 9.5 |
| 2 | Gregg EL | 370 | 9.4 |
| 3 | Southmayd EL | 353 | 9.4 |
| 4 | Jefferson EL | 334 | 9.3 |
| 5 | Burrus EL | 216 | 9.1 |
| 6 | Harvard EL | 673 | 9.1 |
| 7 | Osborne EL | 323 | 8.9 |
| 8 | Cage EL | 365 | 8.9 |
| 9 | Peck EL | 340 | 8.8 |
| 10 | Roberts EL | 730 | 8.8 |
All 178 elementary schools
- Franklin EL2399.5
- Gregg EL3709.4
- Southmayd EL3539.4
- Jefferson EL3349.3
- Burrus EL2169.1
- Harvard EL6739.1
- Osborne EL3238.9
- Cage EL3658.9
- Peck EL3408.8
- Roberts EL7308.8
- Ketelsen EL4228.8
- Kashmere Gardens EL3318.6
- Macgregor EL4368.6
- Port Houston EL2698.6
- Sutton EL9218.6
- Briarmeadow Charter5808.6
- Durkee EL4358.5
- Eliot EL5008.5
- Gregory-Lincoln Ed Ctr4948.5
- Sanchez EL4328.5
- Crespo EL5268.4
- Browning EL4088.4
- De Zavala EL2328.4
- Garden Villas EL3608.4
- Oak Forest EL9228.4
- Rice Sch /la Escuela Rice1,0408.4
- Bruce EL3108.3
- Elrod EL7338.3
- Harris J R EL3128.3
- Henderson N EL2118.3
- Mcgowen EL3528.3
- Cornelius EL7538.2
- Pilgrim Academy1,3038.2
- Travis EL7258.2
- West University EL1,1318.2
- Anderson EL5888.1
- Blackshear EL3028.1
- Bonham EL9928.1
- Crockett EL5518.1
- Kelso EL3988.1
- Longfellow EL6568.1
- Memorial EL4478.1
- Neff Ecc5868.1
- Ross EL2588.1
- Scroggins EL3288.1
- Ella J Baker Montessori School6178.1
- Shadowbriar EL4088.1
- Hines-Caldwell6928.1
- Mandarin Immersion Magnet School7928.1
- Brookline EL6638.0
- Henderson J EL5398.0
- Horn EL7538.0
- Valley West EL5998.0
- Robinson EL4538.0
- Reagan K-8 Educational Ctr7658.0
- Atherton EL4757.9
- River Oaks EL7447.9
- Seguin EL3507.9
- Mark White EL5227.9
- Mitchell EL5657.8
- Northline EL3987.8
- Wainwright EL3967.8
- Woodson School4897.7
- De Chaumes EL6977.7
- Hobby EL4817.7
- Lockhart EL3387.7
- Park Place EL7057.7
- Petersen EL3617.7
- Whidby EL3687.7
- Lyons EL8257.7
- Ashford EL5347.6
- Dogan EL4667.6
- Frost EL4697.6
- Helms EL4817.6
- Sherman EL4787.6
- Almeda EL7987.5
- Askew EL8627.5
- Bell EL5647.5
- Herod EL7667.5
- Isaacs EL2747.5
- Poe EL7367.5
- Reynolds EL2867.5
- Wesley EL2967.5
- Neff EL7277.5
- Milne EL5067.5
- Herrera EL7817.4
- Davila EL4167.4
- Gross EL4227.4
- Shadydale EL6047.4
- Marshall EL5407.4
- Burbank EL7547.3
- Condit EL7337.3
- Mading EL3387.3
- Stevens EL5747.3
- Deanda EL6417.3
- Briargrove EL8817.2
- Kennedy EL4967.1
- Scarborough EL7177.1
- Roderick R Paige EL3997.0
- Grissom EL4707.0
- Parker EL8877.0
- Mcnamara EL9627.0
- Shearn EL4697.0
- Cook JR EL4677.0
- Garden Oaks Montessori7806.9
- Highland Hts EL4446.9
- Montgomery EL4236.9
- Wharton K-8 Dual Language Academy6516.9
- Kolter EL7626.8
- Cunningham EL5366.7
- Foerster EL5456.7
- Thompson EL3766.7
- Walnut Bend EL6106.7
- Rodriguez EL8496.7
- Benbrook EL4856.6
- Coop EL5476.6
- Durham EL5706.6
- Twain EL8706.6
- White E EL7196.6
- Elmore EL5086.6
- Arabic Immersion Magnet School6116.6
- Berry EL7556.5
- Bonner EL5966.5
- Briscoe EL2276.5
- Codwell EL3466.5
- Fondren EL3226.5
- Hartsfield EL3006.5
- Lovett EL6546.5
- Roosevelt EL4046.5
- Sinclair EL7166.5
- Harris R P EL3896.4
- Janowski EL4016.4
- Red EL5866.4
- Field EL4646.3
- Windsor Village EL6386.3
- Benavidez EL8386.2
- Pugh EL3206.2
- Martinez C EL2576.2
- Oates EL2725.9
- Ray Daily EL8415.9
- Hilliard EL5925.8
- Martinez R EL4235.7
- Alcott EL2285.7
- Bush EL7265.6
- Golfcrest EL4195.6
- Looscan EL2385.6
- Garcia EL3255.5
- Burnet EL3685.5
- Emerson EL9935.5
- Moreno EL6925.5
- Patterson EL8775.4
- Rucker EL4185.4
- Young EL3985.4
- Tijerina EL3455.4
- Tinsley EL6075.3
- School at St George Place7845.2
- Lewis EL7105.1
- Whittier EL3275.1
- Piney Point EL1,2764.9
- Smith EL7364.9
- Carrillo EL3524.9
- Foster EL3634.8
- Energized for Excellence Academy EL9504.7
- Gallegos EL3654.6
- Law EL5194.6
- Braeburn EL8604.5
- Love EL3454.4
- Barrick EL4584.0
- Lantrip EL4623.8
- Pleasantville EL2313.3
- Bastian EL6643.1
- Bellfort Early Childhood Center320not rated
- Farias Early Childhood Center399not rated
- Fonwood Early Childhood Ctr432not rated
- Halpin Early Childhood Ctr348not rated
- King Early Childhood Ctr307not rated
- Laurenzo Early Childhood Ctr229not rated
- Mistral Center for Early Childhood355not rated
Middle
43 middle schools · median 6.8 · 20 rated 7+ · 2 rated under 4
20 of 42 rated middle schools reach 7 or better around a median of 6.8.
| # | School | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk | 350 | 9.2 |
| 2 | Edison Middle | 445 | 8.9 |
| 3 | Project Chrysalis Middle | 252 | 8.9 |
| 4 | Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan | 313 | 8.7 |
| 5 | Pin Oak Middle | 1,194 | 8.4 |
| 6 | Hogg Middle | 1,120 | 8.3 |
| 7 | Hamilton Middle | 837 | 8.2 |
| 8 | Meyerland Middle | 1,122 | 8.1 |
| 9 | Lawson Middle | 1,132 | 7.9 |
| 10 | Ortiz Middle | 823 | 7.9 |
All 43 middle schools
- Baylor College of Medicine Biotech Academy at Rusk3509.2
- Edison Middle4458.9
- Project Chrysalis Middle2528.9
- Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan3138.7
- Pin Oak Middle1,1948.4
- Hogg Middle1,1208.3
- Hamilton Middle8378.2
- Meyerland Middle1,1228.1
- Lawson Middle1,1327.9
- Ortiz Middle8237.9
- Marshall Middle5847.8
- Pershing Middle1,2707.8
- Deady Middle4947.7
- Fonville Middle6637.6
- Hartman Middle7667.6
- Fleming Middle3487.4
- Navarro Middle4877.2
- Lanier Middle1,4187.2
- Revere Middle1,1027.2
- Energized for Stem Academy Middle3517.1
- Key Middle5546.9
- Energized for Excellence Academy Inc Middle5496.8
- Welch Middle5476.7
- Burbank Middle1,4546.6
- Stevenson Middle1,1176.5
- Attucks Middle4406.4
- Thomas Middle4746.4
- Clifton Middle4196.2
- Cullen Middle2906.0
- Tanglewood Middle8545.9
- Mcreynolds Middle3455.9
- Holland Middle5915.8
- West Briar Middle1,0275.7
- Black Middle1,3315.6
- Fondren Middle7645.5
- Secondary Daep595.4
- Henry Middle6105.1
- Williams Middle3935.0
- Forest Brook Middle6054.7
- Sugar Grove Academy8004.6
- Las Americas2133.5
- H S Ahead Academy1442.2
- EL Daep2not rated
High
46 high schools · median 6.2 · 12 rated 7+ · 1 rated under 4
The top of Houston ISD's high schools is mostly application and audition programs rather than neighborhood assignments. Kinder H S for Performing and Visual Arts rates 8.9 and Debakey H S for Health Prof 8.6.
| # | School | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinder H S for Performing and Visual Arts | 769 | 8.9 |
| 2 | Debakey H S for Health Prof | 922 | 8.6 |
| 3 | North Houston Early College H S | 483 | 8.5 |
| 4 | Eastwood Academy | 383 | 8.1 |
| 5 | Mickey Leland College Prep Acad for Young Men | 302 | 8.1 |
| 6 | Challenge Early College H S | 480 | 8.0 |
| 7 | East Early College H S | 461 | 7.7 |
| 8 | Energy Institute H S | 663 | 7.7 |
| 9 | Middle College H S at Hcc Fraga | 134 | 7.7 |
| 10 | Carnegie Vanguard H S | 824 | 7.6 |
All 46 high schools
- Kinder H S for Performing and Visual Arts7698.9
- Debakey H S for Health Prof9228.6
- North Houston Early College H S4838.5
- Eastwood Academy3838.1
- Mickey Leland College Prep Acad for Young Men3028.1
- Challenge Early College H S4808.0
- East Early College H S4617.7
- Energy Institute H S6637.7
- Middle College H S at Hcc Fraga1347.7
- Carnegie Vanguard H S8247.6
- Bellaire H S3,1617.1
- South Early College H S4167.0
- Jones Futures Academy3176.8
- Heights H S2,5216.8
- Northside H S1,1416.7
- Waltrip H S1,6596.7
- Sharpstown International School1,2976.6
- H S for Law and Justice4356.6
- Milby H S2,1796.5
- Young Women's College Prep Academy4456.5
- Energized for Stem Academy H S5496.4
- North Forest H S9496.3
- Houston Academy for International Studies4566.2
- Sterling H S1,3416.1
- Westbury H S2,2636.1
- Worthing H S8316.1
- Wheatley H S6166.0
- Chavez H S2,0066.0
- Washington B T H S8375.8
- Houston Math Science and Technology Center2,6445.8
- Madison H S1,8555.7
- Wisdom H S2,3065.5
- Furr H S1,0255.4
- Lamar H S3,0785.4
- Sharpstown H S1,8035.4
- Yates H S7815.4
- Kashmere H S6405.3
- Austin H S1,2865.2
- Scarborough H S7255.1
- Westside H S2,8255.1
- Mount Carmel Academy2295.1
- Long Academy7154.8
- Liberty H S3734.6
- Harper Daep1274.6
- Middle College H S at Hcc Gulfton1123.7
- Hcc Life Skills Program65not rated
Other
7 other schools · median 4.9 · 1 rated 7+ · 2 rated under 4
We rate 4 of the 7 other schools here; they run 3.0 to 7.3.
| # | School | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | T H Rogers School | 1,058 | 7.3 |
| 2 | Soar Ctr | 248 | 6.3 |
| 3 | Texas Connections Academy at Houston | 8,332 | 3.5 |
| 4 | Community Services-Sec | 107 | 3.0 |
All 7 other schools
- T H Rogers School1,0587.3
- Soar Ctr2486.3
- Texas Connections Academy at Houston8,3323.5
- Community Services-Sec1073.0
- Energized for Excellence Academy Ecc191not rated
- Harris Co J J a E P13not rated
- R D S P D49not rated
FAQ
Questions relocating families actually ask.Is Houston ISD a good school district?
Houston ISD's 262 rated schools run from 2.2 to 9.5 around a median of 7.0 (2023). 137 campuses rate 7 or better, so the zoned campus matters more than the district name.
How does Houston ISD compare with Katy ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and Spring Branch ISD?
Houston ISD's median rated campus is 7.0. Katy ISD is 7.4, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD is 7.1 and Spring Branch ISD is 6.3 (2023).
What are the best high schools / elementary schools in Houston ISD?
Kinder H S for Performing and Visual Arts leads Houston ISD high schools at 8.9; Franklin EL leads elementary schools at 9.5 (2023).
Is Houston ISD improving?
Young EL's STAAR proficiency rose 26.6 points, the largest gain among Houston ISD schools we rate (2023).
How does MySchoolScout rate schools?
MySchoolScout rates schools with a composite of student growth, poverty-adjusted academics, and learning environment, plus college readiness for high schools. Weights vary by level; equity is shown but not scored (2023).
Sources and official links
The records behind the numbers, plus the district's own site.- Search for official district website
- NCES CCD district record2023
- NCES F-33 (district spending)2023
- Census SAIPE (child poverty)2024
- Texas Education Agency STAAR results
- Houston city profile
- Texas state profile
- All states
- How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.