Average
#5796 of 8,547 schools in TX
North Forest H S
High School · HOUSTON ISD
10726 MESA DR, Houston, TX 77078
Enrollment
949
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
949
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Houston
#395 of 723
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,367 of 1,699
In district
#143 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
School environment
8.2 / 10
Very strong
About North Forest H S
North Forest High School serves 949 students in grades 9-12 in Houston's Harris County, offering a manageable learning environment with a 13:1 student-teacher ratio and 73 full-time equivalent teachers. The school earns a MySchoolScout rating of 6.5 out of 10 and ranks #2391 among Texas's 8,598 schools, placing it in the 72nd percentile statewide. This regular public high school operates in a community where the median household income is $40,873 and the median home value is $124,800.
The surrounding ZIP code 77078 has a population of 14,241 residents, with 11% holding bachelor's degrees or higher. While the area faces economic challenges with a 29.7% poverty rate, the school continues to serve its student body with dedicated faculty and staff. The relatively small student-teacher ratio suggests opportunities for more individualized attention and support for students as they work toward graduation and post-secondary goals.
North Forest High School provides essential educational services to families in this working-class Houston community. The school sits in a rural area near town, offering students a quieter learning environment while still maintaining access to the resources and opportunities of the greater Houston metropolitan area.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at North Forest H S are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Located in a rural area, North Forest H S may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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North Forest H S — Students at North Forest H S score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 7.0/10.
How North Forest H S Compares
See how North Forest H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 30% (2019) to 13% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 17% (2019) to 18% (2021).
Location
10726 MESA DR, Houston, TX 77078
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering North Forest H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. KIPP NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 7.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KASE ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, YES PREP NORTH FOREST (rated 5.7/10, 2.9 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| FONWOOD EARLY CHILDHOOD CTR Houston | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| KIPP POLARIS ACADEMY FOR BOYS Houston | 1.0 mi | 4.2 |
| KIPP VOYAGE ACADEMY FOR GIRLS Houston | 1.1 mi | 3.3 |
| KIPP NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston | 1.1 mi | 7.9 |
| KIPP LEGACY PREPARATORY Houston | 1.1 mi | 2.1 |
| HILLIARD EL Houston | 2.0 mi | 6.0 |
| THE VARNETT SCHOOL - NORTHEAST Houston | 2.1 mi | 5.7 |
| FOREST BROOK MIDDLE Houston | 2.4 mi | 5.2 |
| GARRETT EL Houston | 2.6 mi | 4.7 |
| YES PREP NORTH FOREST Houston | 2.9 mi | 5.7 |
| NORTH FOREST EL Houston | 2.9 mi | 5.3 |
| MICHAEL R NULL MIDDLE Houston | 2.8 mi | 5.0 |
| MARSHALL EL Houston | 3.1 mi | 4.8 |
| C E KING MIDDLE Houston | 3.1 mi | 5.0 |
| KASE ACADEMY Houston | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| H M CARROLL EL Houston | 3.2 mi | 6.0 |
| SHADYDALE EL Houston | 3.3 mi | 3.6 |
| L E MONAHAN EL Houston | 3.4 mi | 3.9 |
| GARCIA-LEZA EC/PK/K Houston | 3.5 mi | 6.0 |
| HOLY TRINITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF GREATER HOUSTON Houston | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 77078 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$38,838
Median Home Value
$151,500
Median Rent
$1,336/mo
Population
14,705
College Educated
12.2%
Homeownership
58.7%
Avg Commute
30.8 min
Poverty Rate
32.8%
Median Age
33.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding North Forest H S has a median household income of $38,838. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $151,500, with a median rent of $1,336/month. The area has a poverty rate of 32.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 31 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FARMERSVILLE H S Farmersville, TX | 5.5 |
| ROBSTOWN EARLY COLLEGE H S Robstown, TX | 5.5 |
| SAN ELIZARIO H S San Elizario, TX | 5.5 |
| SCARBOROUGH H S Houston, TX | 5.5 |
| UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN H S Austin, TX | 5.5 |
| YES PREP - WHITE OAK Houston, TX | 5.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about North Forest H S
What grades does North Forest H S serve?
North Forest H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend North Forest H S?
North Forest H S has an enrollment of approximately 949 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at North Forest H S?
The student-teacher ratio at North Forest H S is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does North Forest H S rank in TX?
North Forest H S is ranked #5796 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is North Forest H S's MySchoolScout rating?
North Forest H S has a composite rating of 5.5 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Forest H S?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, North Forest H S has 21.5% math proficiency and 17.5% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is North Forest H S a charter school?
No, North Forest H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is North Forest H S a Title I school?
No, North Forest H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for North Forest H S?
98.0% of students at North Forest H S qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 949
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 73
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 98.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Harris County
- Phone
- (713) 636-4300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #143 of 272
Other Schools in This District
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Schools in Houston, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Moving for Schools: How to Find the Best Schools Before You Relocateguides
- Understanding School Ratings: A Parent's Guide to Using Data for School Choice Decisionsguides
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
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