Average
#5505 of 8,552 schools in TX
North Forest H S
High School · HOUSTON ISD
10726 MESA DR, Houston, TX 77078
Enrollment
949
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
949
Student-Teacher
13:1
Score
5.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#5,505 of 8,552
In Houston
#401 of 723
public schools
In district
#146 of 272
HOUSTON ISD
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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North Forest H S
High School in Houston · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Fonwood Early Childhood Ctr
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Kipp Polaris Academy for Boys
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About North Forest H S
North Forest H S is a public high school in Houston, TX, part of HOUSTON ISD. North Forest H S serves approximately 949 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. North Forest H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10 and ranks #5,505 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for North Forest H S show 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).
- This school 5.6 · Average
- District avg 6.1
- TX avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at North Forest H S sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
North Forest H S sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
43% of students at North Forest H S were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
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North Forest H S — Students at North Forest H S score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
98%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 20 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 9.2/10.
How North Forest H S Compares
See how North Forest H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 6.9/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is KASE ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, YES PREP NORTH FOREST (rated 5.6/10, 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 | 6.2 |
| KIPP POLARIS ACADEMY FOR BOYS Houston | 1.0 mi | 6.6 |
| KIPP VOYAGE ACADEMY FOR GIRLS Houston | 1.1 mi | 5.2 |
| KIPP NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston | 1.1 mi | 6.9 |
| KIPP LEGACY PREPARATORY Houston | 1.1 mi | 4.9 |
| HILLIARD EL Houston | 2.0 mi | 7.8 |
| THE VARNETT SCHOOL - NORTHEAST Houston | 2.1 mi | 4.5 |
| FOREST BROOK MIDDLE Houston | 2.4 mi | 6.9 |
| GARRETT EL Houston | 2.6 mi | 4.6 |
| YES PREP NORTH FOREST Houston | 2.9 mi | 5.6 |
| NORTH FOREST EL Houston | 2.9 mi | 5.0 |
| MICHAEL R NULL MIDDLE Houston | 2.8 mi | 3.6 |
| MARSHALL EL Houston | 3.1 mi | 6.8 |
| C E KING MIDDLE Houston | 3.1 mi | 4.0 |
| KASE ACADEMY Houston | 3.1 mi | 6.6 |
| H M CARROLL EL Houston | 3.2 mi | 5.2 |
| SHADYDALE EL Houston | 3.3 mi | 5.3 |
| L E MONAHAN EL Houston | 3.4 mi | 3.8 |
| GARCIA-LEZA EC/PK/K Houston | 3.5 mi | 5.8 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FABENS H S Fabens, TX | 5.6 |
| HAMSHIRE-FANNETT H S Hamshire, TX | 5.6 |
| IDEA WESLACO PIKE COLLEGE PREPARATORY Weslaco, TX | 5.6 |
| KIPP UNIVERSITY PREP H S San Antonio, TX | 5.6 |
| PEARSALL H S Pearsall, TX | 5.6 |
| PORT ISABEL EARLY COLLEGE H S Port Isabel, TX | 5.6 |
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 ranks #5,505 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is North Forest H S's MySchoolScout rating?
North Forest H S has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at North Forest H S?
Based on loaded state assessment records, North Forest H S has 31% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024) and 24% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2013-2024).
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
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.9%
- Phone
- (713) 636-4300
- 4-Year Graduation
- 79.0%
Resources & Links
District
HOUSTON ISD- District Enrollment
- 184,109
- Schools in District
- 274
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,072
- District Rank
- #146 of 272
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.
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