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Average

#430 of 884 private schools in TX

Top 49% of private schools

The Tenney School

High School

3500 S GESSNER RD STE 200, Houston, TX 77063

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on TX statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

55

Student-Teacher

2.4:1

Score

6.4

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Houston

#58 of 104

public schools

Texas high schools

#39 of 91

About The Tenney School

The Tenney School serves 55 students in grades 5 through 12 in Houston's 77063 zip code, offering an exceptionally small learning environment with a remarkable 2.4:1 student-teacher ratio. This regular public school employs 23 full-time equivalent teachers, ensuring highly personalized attention for each student. The school has earned strong recognition with a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #138 out of 884 schools statewide, placing it in the 84th percentile among Texas schools.

This high ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence within its intimate academic setting. Located on South Gessner Road, The Tenney School sits in a diverse Houston neighborhood where nearly half of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The surrounding 77063 community of nearly 40,000 residents has a median household income of $51,899 and median home values around $271,700, reflecting a middle-class area with strong educational values.

The school's small size creates unique opportunities for individualized instruction and close student-teacher relationships that larger schools often cannot provide. For families seeking a more personalized educational experience within the Houston public school system, The Tenney School offers an alternative approach in a well-established urban community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 55 students, The Tenney School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

With a student-teacher ratio of 2.4:1, The Tenney School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, The Tenney School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How The Tenney School compares to 659 public schools serving similar grades in Houston, TX

Student-Teacher Ratio
2.4:1
This School
vs
15.8:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
55
This School
vs
742
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.4
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 70.9% vs 0%
Asian 14.5% vs 0%
Hispanic 9.1% vs 0%
Black 5.5% vs 0%
The Tenney School Houston Public Avg

Nearby High Schools

School Rating
The Tenney School (this school) 6.4
EMERSON EL 5.0
YES PREP - WEST 4.7
PINEY POINT EL 5.1
TEXAS CONNECTIONS ACADEMY AT HOUSTON 5.0
COLLINS EL 6.0
KIPP SHARPSTOWN COLLEGE PREP 6.1
BRIARMEADOW CHARTER 5.9
KIPP SHARP PREP 4.0
NEFF EL 3.9
SHARPSTOWN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 6.1
DRAW ACADEMY 3.1
REVERE MIDDLE 4.8
WHITE E EL 4.5
WALNUT BEND EL 4.8
ALIEF EARLY COLLEGE H S 6.5
MARK WHITE EL 5.4
OWENS INT 6.4
CHANCELLOR EL 6.2
WISDOM H S 4.6
DISCOVERY MIDDLE 6.3

Showing 20 of 659 schools. View all schools in Houston

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in TX.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A+ 9.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 2.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
C- 1.8 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 810
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B+ 6.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 47%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
C+ 4.3 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 55
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in TX

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 70.9%
Asian 14.5%
Hispanic 9.1%
Black 5.5%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

3500 S GESSNER RD STE 200, Houston, TX 77063

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Tenney School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST AGNES ACADEMY COLLEGE PREPARATORY (rated 6.3/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SHARPSTOWN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Houston, see our Houston schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
SNEED EL Houston 0.3 mi 5.3
EMERSON EL Houston 0.3 mi 5.0
WESTCHASE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL Lewisville 0.9 mi 4.8
YES PREP - WEST Houston 1.1 mi 4.7
PINEY POINT EL Houston 1.1 mi 5.1
HUA XIA CHINESE SCHOOL Houston 1.2 mi 4.8
STRAKE JESUIT COLLEGE PREP SCHOOL Houston 1.4 mi 6.3
ST AGNES ACADEMY COLLEGE PREPARATORY Houston 1.4 mi 6.3
GRACE SCHOOL Houston 1.3 mi 6.8
COLLINS EL Houston 1.4 mi 6.0
TEXAS CONNECTIONS ACADEMY AT HOUSTON Houston 1.3 mi 5.0
RIVER OAKS ACADEMY Houston 1.4 mi 7.7
MONTESSORI LEARNING COTTAGE Houston 1.4 mi
NEFF EL Houston 1.8 mi 3.9
KIPP SHARPSTOWN COLLEGE PREP Houston 1.6 mi 6.1
BRIARMEADOW CHARTER Houston 1.6 mi 5.9
KIPP SHARP PREP Houston 1.7 mi 4.0
BUSH EL Houston 1.9 mi 5.3
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL Houston 1.9 mi 7.4
SHARPSTOWN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Houston 1.9 mi 6.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 77063 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$54,509

Median Home Value

$281,300

Median Rent

$1,334/mo

Population

39,994

College Educated

48.4%

Homeownership

23.6%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

18.7%

Median Age

35.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Tenney School has a median household income of $54,509. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $281,300, with a median rent of $1,334/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.7%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
ACADEMY OF THOUGHT AND INDUSTRY AUSTIN Austin, TX 6.4
CEDAR CREST Belton, TX 6.4
CROSSROADS ACADEMY Uvalde, TX 6.4
GATEWAY TO GRADUATION ACADEMY San Benito, TX 6.4
LUBBOCK CO JUVENILE JUSTICE CTR Lubbock, TX 6.4
TORAH GIRLS ACADEMY OF TEXAS Houston, TX 6.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Tenney School

What grades does The Tenney School serve?

The Tenney School serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend The Tenney School?

The Tenney School has an enrollment of approximately 55 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Tenney School?

The student-teacher ratio at The Tenney School is 2.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does The Tenney School rank in TX?

The Tenney School is ranked #430 out of 884 private schools in TX.

What is The Tenney School's MySchoolScout rating?

The Tenney School has a composite rating of 6.4 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.

Is The Tenney School a private school?

Yes, The Tenney School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is The Tenney School a religious school?

No, The Tenney School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (5,451/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
55
Gender Split
55% M / 45% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
2.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
23
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
5 hours
Days Per Year
162 days
Setting
Large City
County
HARRIS
Data Year
2022–2023

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

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