Houston has numerous excellent high schools that provide kids with a solid education as well as a variety of possibilities to explore their passions and abilities. The best high schools in Houston provide exceptional education, internship opportunities, career options, and extracurricular activities.
Similarly, Houston is home to a large number of outstanding high schools and public institutions. As a result, it presents a variety of possibilities for kids seeking a top-tier high school education. With so many possibilities, it can be difficult to determine which high schools stand out above the rest.
Therefore, if you’re a parent seeking the best school for your child or a student looking for the best educational prospects, this piece will give you vital insights into some of the best high schools in Houston.
Let’s delve in!
What Are the Benefits of Studying In Houston?
Studying in Houston comes with various perks from internship opportunities, cultural diversity, professional opportunities, and its strong academic programs to the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. Below are dive more into the benefits of going to high schools in Houston:
#1. Diversity
Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the United States, with a population of over 2.3 million individuals from numerous ethnicities. This implies that students attending high school in Houston will be exposed to a diverse spectrum of cultures, beliefs, and perspectives, providing them with a unique learning experience.
#2. Strong academic programs
Houston boasts a large number of outstanding public and private high schools that provide rigorous academic programs such as advanced placement courses, dual enrollment programs, and magnet schools. This implies that students have access to a high-quality education that will prepare them for success in college and their careers.
#3. Career opportunities
Many notable firms and industries, including healthcare, oil, and aerospace, are headquartered in Houston. As a result, Houston high school students have access to a diverse selection of job options, internships, and apprenticeships that can help them to thrive and prepare for their future careers.
#4. Sports and extracurricular activities
Houston has a vibrant sports culture, with professional teams in football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Hence, many high schools in Houston provide a range of sports teams and extracurricular activities, allowing students to hone their physical and leadership abilities.
#5. College readiness
Houston is home to many colleges and universities, including Rice University, the University of Houston, and Texas Southern University. Hence, high schools in Houston frequently collaborate with these institutions to provide students with college systems in response such as college fairs, campus visits, and college application support.
#6. Cultural attractions
Houston has a plethora of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, and music venues. Consequently, high schools in Houston frequently use these resources to provide students with opportunities to participate in field trips and cultural activities that might extend their perspectives and enrich their learning experience.
Top 15 Best High Schools In Houston
The following are the best high schools in Houston:
#1. The School for the Talented and Gifted (Dallas, TX)
The School for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) is the first on the list of best high schools in Houston. TAG was established in 1982 and has been consistently ranked among the top high schools in the United States by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report. TAG is also a magnet school, which means that children from all over the Dallas Independent School District can apply, but admittance is based on academic achievement and aptitude. However, the institution has a stringent admissions process, and only a small number of pupils are accepted each year.
Additionally, TAG provides a rigorous and fast curriculum that promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Also, students must take advanced classes in several topics, including mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies. The school also offers many Advanced Placement classes and dual-credit courses, allowing students to receive college credit while still in high school.
#2. Carnegie Vanguard High School (Houston, TX)
Carnegie Vanguard High School is a public magnet school located in Houston, Texas. This High School was founded in 2002 as part of HISD’s Vanguard Magnet Program, which provides advanced academic opportunities to brilliant and outstanding students. The school is named after Andrew Carnegie, a philanthropist, and industrialist who believed in the power of education.
In addition, Carnegie Vanguard’s high school curriculum is designed to inspire and stretch pupils while also preparing them for college and beyond. Carnegie Vanguard is noted for its outstanding arts program in addition to its academic focus. Also, the institution provides music, theater, dance, and visual arts classes, and many of its graduates have gone on to successful careers in the arts.
#3. The Awty International School (Houston, TX)
The Awty International School is another renowned institution among the best high schools in Houston. The institution is certified by the French Ministry of Education and offers International Baccalaureate and French Baccalaureate certificates. It also houses approximately 1,700 students from over 50 nations.
Furthermore, students at the Awty International School are required to attend language courses and have the opportunity to study with nearly 200 teachers from 26 different nations.
Also, Awty International’s main campus is 26 acres in size and includes laboratories, music studios, and indoor and outdoor athletic facilities. The student-to-teacher ratio is 7 to 1, allowing for an engaged learning experience.
#4. St. Mark’s School of Texas (Dallas, TX)
St. Mark’s School is an excellent choice for students looking for a private Christian high school with good academic options. The, located in Dallas, Texas, is a private, non-sectarian college-preparatory school for boys in grades 1-12. The school was founded in 1906 and is affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
Additionally, St. Mark’s School of Texas is renowned for its strong sense of community and dedication to raising well-rounded, responsible young men. Because it has a strong history of service, students are encouraged to give back to their community via a variety of service initiatives.
Also, the academic program at St. Mark’s School of Texas is challenging, emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. As a result, the school provides a diverse curriculum, including advanced placement courses in a variety of topics. Likewise, the school features a robust arts department that includes classes in visual arts, music, and drama.
#5. Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School (Dallas, TX)
This all-girls preparatory school was founded in 2004 and is named after the first Mexican-American woman to be elected to the Texas House of Representatives. The Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School is Texas’ first public school completely dedicated to the education of young women, and it is also a member of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network. The school is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive college-preparatory education for young women, with a focus on leadership development and community involvement.
Furthermore, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School provides a rigorous curriculum that includes AP classes, dual credit courses, and specialty programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through its membership in the network, alumni of the school have the option to build professional contacts with other alumni. All of these factors contribute to its ranking among the best high schools in Houston.
#6. Greenhill School (Addison, TX)
Greenhill School is a private coeducational college preparatory day school in Addison, Texas, a Dallas suburb. The school was established in 1950 and educates students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth. Greenhill School is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all children. As a result, it accepts kids from various cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Today, Greenhill School enrolls about 1,300 students at all school levels.
The performing arts center of the school has two theaters, a green room, dressing rooms, and a film and video production classroom. Among its notable alumni are successful Texas politicians Beth Van Duyne, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and Eric Johnson, the 60th Mayor of Dallas.
#7. School of Science and Engineering Magnet (Dallas, TX)
The School of Science and Engineering Magnet (SEM) is another highly sought-after institution in the list of best high schools in Houston. SEM is a magnet school in Dallas, Texas, serving grades 9-12. SEM was founded in 1982 as a partnership between the Dallas Public School District and the Dallas corporate sector to give students a comprehensive science, math, and engineering education.
Similarly, Dallas’ Science and Engineering Magnet School provides an exceptional opportunity for freshman through senior students to study STEM subjects through a variety of AP and dual-enrollment courses geared to prepare students for success in their college careers. The admissions process at the institution is competitive, with admissions dependent on academic merit.
#8. St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (Austin, TX)
St. Stephen’s was the first coeducational Episcopal school in the United States and the first integrated boarding school in the southern region of the country. The school offers boarding and day school options to students in grades 6 through 12. St. Stephen’s now has 699 students, with 34% of these pupils boarding seven days a week.
Furthermore, St. Stephen’s encourages diversity and works hard to foster an inclusive environment in which all students feel appreciated and supported. As a result, it’s a varied community that embraces students from all walks of life and cultures.
Similarly, the school has an observatory that is open to the public once a month and acts as a learning tool in the school’s numerous hands-on science classrooms.
#9. Liberal Arts and Science Academy (Austin, TX)
Austin’s public Liberal Arts and Science Academy also ranks on the list of best high schools in Houston. The school was created from the merger of the LBJ Science Academy and The Liberal Arts Academy at Johnston High School in 2002. It offers students in grades 9 through 12 a student-to-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.
Similarly, LASA offers an intensive curriculum that stresses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as humanities and social sciences. The school is aimed at providing an advanced academic experience for kids who are enthusiastic about studying and wish to pursue jobs in STEM industries. Among LASA’s courses are an Amateur Radio class, in which students can obtain their own HAM licenses, and the LBJ Fire Academy, which lasts two years and certifies students as both firefighters and EMTs.
#10. The Hockaday School (Dallas, TX)
The Hockaday School in Dallas, Texas is a private all-girls pre-K through twelfth-grade school that offers both day and boarding services to its pupils. To build a strong academic record, many Hockaday students take courses that integrate academic study with practical application, which are organized by the school’s Institute for Social Impact.
The institute was founded in 2018 to expand the breadth and effect of the school’s engagement with community partners and to develop future leaders via hands-on learning techniques. Furthermore, Hockaday’s class of 2022 produced 16 National Merit Finalists and 17 National Merit Semi-Finalists. Alongside nationally famous intellectuals, 91% of the 2022 class received a three or above on the Advanced Placement exams.
#11. Clements High School
Clements High School is a public high school in Sugar Land, Texas, United States. It is part of the Fort Bend Independent School District and serves students in grades nine through twelve. The institution was founded in 1983 and is named after former Texas Governor William P. Clements Jr.
Over the years, Clements High School has won many awards, including recognition as one of the top high schools in Houston and the country by multiple magazines. Several well-known alumni from the institution include successful businesspeople, artists, and athletes. Likewise, 64% of pupils took at least one Advanced course. The institution’s average ACT score is 30, and the average SAT score is 1292.
#12. Seven Lakes High School
Seven Lakes High School opened its doors in 2005 in the Cinco Ranch community of Fort Bend County, Texas, just south of Katy. The school is located in several communities, including Seven Meadows, Grand Lakes, and Cinco Ranch. Additionally, the school is recognized as the best in the community, with 62% of seniors taking at least one AP exam.
Seven Lakes High School has an average SAT score of 1286 and an average ACT score of 27.8. Conversely, higher-achieving students at Seven Lakes have access to a variety of advanced placement course options, with 28 classroom AP courses available in a variety of academic areas.
#13. Bellaire High School
Bellaire High School also made it to the list of best high schools in Houston. This high is part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD). The school has a diverse student population, with pupils representing a wide range of ethnic and cultural origins.
Bellaire High School is renowned for its robust extracurricular and academic offerings. As a result, it provides a variety of AP classes and has earned recognition as a Texas Exemplary School and a National Blue Ribbon School. Also, it features a speech and debate department that is well-known nationwide, a robotics team that has won championships, and productive sports teams across a variety of disciplines.
#14. Debakey High School for Health Professions
DeBakey High School for Health Professions is a specialized public high school located in Houston, Texas, USA. One of the reasons Debakey High School for Health Professions is among the best high schools in Houston is that it is home to the world’s largest medical facility. The school was named after Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, a prominent cardiovascular surgeon who was instrumental in the founding of the Texas Medical Center.
Similarly, DeBakey High School offers a rigorous, well-balanced college preparatory program that emphasizes educational experiences in science and the health professions while also increasing understanding and appreciation of our varied community.
Over the years, the school has successfully established and revised a unique magnet school concept as well as a demanding, specialized health and science-centered pre-college curriculum. This curriculum provides direct exposure to vocations in medicine and the sciences. Note that students are chosen based on their interest in health sciences, prior academic performance, standardized test scores, behavior, and attendance.
#15. The Duchesne Academy
The Duchesne Academy is the last on the list of best high schools in Houston. Duchesne Academy is an all-girls Catholic private school in Houston, Texas. It was established in 1960 and is a member of the Network of Sacred Heart Schools, a global network of schools led by the Society of the Sacred Heart’s educational philosophy.
Duchesne Academy welcomes female students from pre-K3 through grade 12 and is affiliated with the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest and the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The school also features a varied student body as well as a supportive parent, alumni, and faculty community. Likewise, it promotes leadership development, community service, and a dedication to social justice. Furthermore, students can choose from three different tracks: regular, advanced, and AP.
FAQs Best High Schools In Houston
What is the #1 High School in Houston?
The number one high school in Houston is the Carnegie Vanguard High School.
What is the most expensive public high school in Houston?
The most expensive public high school in Houston is the Joy School, it caters to a special needs population and its tuition is $44,879.
What are the best private high schools in Houston?
The best private high schools in Houston are:
- St. John’s School
- St. Agnes Academy
- St. Thomas High School
- Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School
- Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Conclusion
Finally, Houston is home to some of the best high schools in the nation. From rigorous academics to exceptional extracurricular programs, Houston’s top high schools offer students a well-rounded education that prepares the student to thrive in the world. Schools like Carnegie Vanguard High School, Debakey High School for Health Professions, and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts have earned national recognition for their academic and artistic excellence.
While these high schools are among the best in Houston, they may not be the perfect choice for every student. While selecting a high school, it’s essential to consider factors like academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, geography, and school culture to find the best fit for your individual needs and goals.