Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.0Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-4 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.5Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency18%
Overall Proficiency16%
Expected (poverty-adj.)21%
vs. Expected-5.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
College Readiness4.0Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation14.9%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.2Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,031

North Forest H S — Students at North Forest H S score 16% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 21%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

98%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 21.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 17.5%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
30%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
18%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
32th percentile in TX
Academic
3.5/10
3.5/10
Growth
7.0/10
Above average
Environment
8.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
98%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
73 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
28 Some Transit
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (5,451/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Houston). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HOUSTON ISD
District Enrollment
184,109
Schools in District
274
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,072
District Rank
#143 of 272

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 methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.