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Sep 19th, 2008
Campus life at Rice University is distinguishable from most other schools by its residential college system.
Learning from Kindergarten to College
One of the highest priorities for relocating families is locating a new school for their children and providing a smooth transition so that learning can continue and new friends can be formed. This chapter will provide a good overview to learn more about the many educational resources available in the Houston area. You’ll also find information about private schools, a list of recommended immunizations for children from 0 to 18 years of age and data about Houston area independent school districts. The Texas public school system celebrated its 150th birthday on Jan. 31, 2004, marking the anniversary of the Common School Law of 1854. Now, school attendance is compulsory for every child between ages six and 18. The Texas Educational Code provides the framework for the current public education system, which is overseen by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) (tea.state.tx.us) and the State Board of Education. Led by the commissioner of education, the TEA is the administrative unit for primary and secondary education and, among other duties, develops a statewide curriculum, administers statewide assessment programs and rates school districts under the statewide accountability system. In the last six years, the state of Texas has spent more than $7 billion on education reform as well as to improve learning in core subject areas like math, reading and science; and has proposed targeted incentives tied to achievement in the classroom. Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Texas public schools utilize the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test for measuring student competency in subject areas. With lengthier reading passages and more analytical math questions to calculate, the TAKS test is a more comprehensive skills test. The TEA requires third graders to pass the reading portion to be promoted to the fourth grade. For more information and to view released tests, visit the TEA Web site at (www.tea.state.tx.us). Although Texas is no stranger to state-mandated, standardized tests, the TAKS promotion standard is, in part, a response to the federal legislation known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which directs substantial reforms to state and local educational systems. Each state must measure public school students’ progress in reading and math every year from third to eighth grade and at least once from 10th through 12th grade. Beginning with students entering the 9th grade in the 2011-2012 school year, the TAKS test will be phased out and substituted instead with 12 end-of-course exams. The TAKS test will be kept in tact for students in grades 3-8. For more information, visit tea.state.tx.us. Education in the Houston Region There are 67 school districts and 66 independent charter schools in the 10-county Houston area that includes Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller counties. The top 20 districts combine to educate more than 755,000 each year. Houston educators and the community are committed to creating a high-quality educational environment to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. As the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the U.S., Houston is home the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the largest public school district in the area as well as in Texas and the seventh-largest public school district in the country. HISD educates more than 202,000 students, employs 29,000 full- and part-time professional and support personnel and operates 306 campuses and educational programs within a 301-square-mile area. HISD schools are organized within five geographic regions (North, East, South, West, and Central) by feeder patterns composed of specific elementary, middle, and high schools; an Alternative and Charter Schools Office oversees those types of schools. Each regional office is managed by a regional superintendent who coordinates a team of executive principals to ensure the quality of instruction throughout the region’s feeder patterns. Regional managers serve to strengthen the district’s outreach to parents by handling parental concerns and working to improve parent, volunteer, and business-partner programs. Each of the five regions manages four or five of HISD’s 23 feeder patterns. HISD’s organization is designed to emphasize teaching and learning, align school goals and programs for sustained improvement, eliminate duplicated services, and provide greater oversight of data and compliance with state laws and regulations. According to HISD, here are highlights of what’s new for the 2008-2009 school year:
All Houston-area independent school districts operate with the basic premise that every child can and should learn. Composed of a diverse student population, Houston education and the community are committed to creating a high-quality educational environment. Similar to other U.S. schools, Houston-area schools are divided into three levels: elementary schools for pre-K through fifth grade, middle schools for sixth through eighth grade and high schools for ninth through 12th grade. State law requires that each school district employ enough teachers to maintain an average teacher-to-student ratio of one-to-20, and that a school district not enroll more than 22 students per teacher per classroom from kindergarten through fourth grade. English language arts, fine arts, languages other than English, mathematics, science and social studies comprise the core curriculum. Generally, teachers use numerical grades, with report cards sent to parents of elementary students every nine weeks and to parents of middle and high school students every six weeks. Students are promoted based on academic achievement, measured in certain years by statewide tests. In 1995, the Texas Education Code established the charter school concept – a type of public school operated under a state-granted charter or contract. TEA charter schools are autonomous, open-enrollment institutions that use state funding to offer innovative learning opportunities with greater flexibility than traditional public schools. Although subject to fewer state laws, charter schools still are monitored and accredited under the statewide testing and accountability system. Houston Independent School District (HISD) also charters schools that then operate with the approval of the HISD Board of Education and within the jurisdiction of HISD. School Selection Chances are that before you moved to the Houston area, you were in contact with a real estate agent and already know where you’ll be living. Upon arrival, you’ll want to explore your area’s school districts and determine the best educational options for your children. It’s recommended that you visit and tour the school to get a general feel for the atmosphere and programs available. Look at several ones to determine which offers the best curriculum. A useful resource is the Texas Education Agency’s Web site at tea.state.tx.us/. Information about school district locations and statistics about specific schools are available. While your child’s previous school is responsible for sending records of all grades and in-school testing, it’s wise if you can have these records with you once you’ve selected a school:
Checklist in Selecting a School While touring schools in your area, have your checklist handy to make remarks and pose questions.
Child Care Upon arrival to the Houston area, one main priority can be determining child care, especially for children under the age of six. Many couples are both professional, dual-income earners and may not have close or extended family nearby to help. Luckily, the region can offer many options and resources, including: Daycare – It’s important to find the right facility that makes your child feel emotionally secure while also providing stimulating activities. The future success of your child depends on the quality of early care. Visit Collaborative for Children (collabforchildren.org) for ideas on where to begin. It’s a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of early care and education in the Houston area. Partnering with families and community-based organizations, it focuses on young children, from birth to age six, and offer programs and services The Collaborative also provides information on the availability of early care and educational programs, which are provided at no cost to the community. Preschool for ALL, a joint project of The Collaborative for Children (CC) and The Center for Houston's Future (CHF), the strategic planning affiliate of the Greater Houston Partnership, has involved more than 100 community members from the early childhood, public education, business, government and philanthropic communities to expand access to quality preschool programs to all 3- and 4-year-old children in the greater Houston area. (preschoolforall.org) Early Connections, a project of the Collaborative for Children, provides free information and helpful tips and resources about early childhood development and learning for parents, teachers, childcare providers and others who are interested in helping children develop to their fullest. (earlyconnect.org) There are numerous private daycare facilities in the Houston; see the list on page XX for specific schools and grade levels served. HISD also offers day care; visit houstonisd.org and click on the link Parents & Students. Nannies – According to the International Nanny Association (nanny.org), you can look for a nanny in many places, including help wanted ads in newspapers and magazines, bulletin boards and referrals from friends. These approaches can be time-consuming and also can result in negative experiences. The association suggests that you contact nanny training programs about the availability of their graduates or that you take advantage of the services offered by nanny placement agencies. A placement agency is a service company that matches the skills and qualifications of nannies with the needs of families looking for in-home child care. The agency charges a fee to locate and screen nannies for you to consider hiring for your family. A reputable agency will carefully consider your needs and preferences when helping you find a suitable candidate. Placement fees range from $800 to $5,000 and should include a provision to replace the nanny or refund a portion of the fee if the placement does not work out within a certain period of time. As part of its screening process, the agency should verify the nanny candidate's personal and employment references and previous child care experience. Many agencies also take nanny fingerprints, check for a criminal record, check the driving record and require a blood test, TB test and/or request a doctor's statement that the candidate is in good health and free of contagious diseases. Some agencies also require psychological testing or evaluation. In the U.S., the agency should verify that the candidate is an American citizen or is eligible to work legally in the U.S. Just as the agency will want to ensure that nannies referred to you are suitable candidates, for the nanny's protection, the agency may also ask you for references. Most agencies will assist you in preparing a job description that summarizes your family's job duties, comprehension package and other important considerations. Many placement agency owners are members of INA, and the association suggests that you select an INA member if you decide to use a placement agency's services to help you locate a nanny. Pre-K and Kindergarten – In the last six years, the state of Texas has spent more than $7 billion on education reform as well as to improve learning in core subject areas like math, reading and science; and has proposed targeted incentives tied to achievement in the classroom. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) Research has established guidelines for all Texas pre-K programs that support effective teaching practices; these have been shown to lead to important growth in children’s intellectual and social development. To review the suggested curriculum guidelines, visit tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/early/prekguide.html. In the 2002-2003 school year, there were only 157,498 children in state funded pre-K. By the 2007-2008 school year, that number had increased to193,869; of these, 169,183 were economically disadvantaged students. In 2005-2006 the state spent $715 million on pre-K programs or $3,426 per student. By the 2007-2008 school year, spending had increased to $799 million or $3,650 per student. The quality of the state’s pre-K programs has also increased. In 2007-2008, 401 classrooms were utilizing the national recognized TEEM model which relies on research-base comprehensive curricula to ensure students are school ready. In addition, from the first year of the School Readiness Certification System (2005-2006 school year), the Texas School Ready! certification has been awarded to almost 500 preschool classrooms across Texas. Children who graduated from these classrooms entered kindergarten with the reading and social skills needed to be successful. The majority of HISD elementary schools maintain pre-K programs for children whose parents qualify. HISD is offering pre-K on a tuition basis to students who do not meet the eligibility requirements to attend pre-K tuition-free. Parents may enroll their four-year-old child (child must be four years of age on or before September 1 of a given school year) in a full-day, tuition-based pre-K program at participating neighborhood schools, on a space-available basis. The state-set fee is $4,200 per year, which may be paid in 10 payments of $420. To obtain additional information about tuition-based pre-K, call the Early Childhood Department at 713-556-6882, or a participating school. You can also visit the district’s Web site at houstonisd.org and click on Parents and Students. Child Care Checklist For Parents Basic Information: ? The hours suit my schedule. ? The fees fit my price range. ? Meals and snacks are appetizing. ? Transportation is available. ? The group size and age grouping are acceptable. The Environment ? The setting is clean and cheerful. ? Children seem happy. ? Staff members and children get along well. ? There is a balanced daily routine. ? Children are comforted when needed. ? There are rules the children can understand and follow. ? There is a safety plan to follow in emergencies. ? Safety precautions are established. ? Different kinds of space are available for quiet play, active play and outdoor play. ? There is enough space for all activities. ? There are enough books, paints, blocks, musical toys, games and puzzles, etc. ? Children can get things for themselves. Staff ? They have been trained to care for children. ? Most staff have been in the program for at least one year. ? Disciplinary methods are acceptable. ? They are warm and friendly. ? Staff members take time to discuss a child?s progress with parents regularly. ? Children are treated as individuals. ? In a family day home, ask how long the provider has been caring for children. ? Staff members seem to have enough time to look after all children. Parental Involvement ? Parents can visit unannounced. ? Parents are involved in decision making. ? There are opportunities for parents to be involved with the program. ? Parents have a chance to speak with staff when they drop off and pick up children. Final Considerations ? References are provided. ? People who have used this service speak well of it. ? I would be happy here if I were a child. ? I feel comfortable leaving my child here. Source: Collaborative for Children (collabforchildren.org) Toolkit for Finding the Right Child Care Facility Considering that selecting a child care provider is one of the most important decisions you can make, it’s important to ask the right questions of a provider. One Houston resource that can help you locate and evaluate child care is the Collaborative for Children Resource (collabforchildren.org). Take a moment to review the information provided below regarding the selection process and other tips in this chapter from the Collaborative. Health and Safety ? Check child care licensing compliance history on TDFPS* website, (txchildcaresearch.org) ? Observe cleanliness of center and diaper changing and hand-washing procedures. ? Ask about security of medicines and chemicals in the facility. ? Ask if the caregivers are certified in CPR and First Aid. ? Ask about the meal and nap time routines. ? Ask about transportation procedures if children are taken on field trips. ? Ask about discipline procedures when children act out or break classroom rules and how positive behavior is encouraged. ? Observe indoor and outdoor play areas and safety precautions used by staff. Activities ? Ask about planned activities and observe equipment, toys, and materials. ? Ask if the children are read to daily and look for the quality and quantity of books in each room. ? Ask about the amount of time spent each day on the playground. (30-45 minutes morning and afternoon recommended.) ? Ask about the use of technology (TV, VCR, computers) in the facility, recognizing thatlimited use is recommended for young children. Quality Factors ? Remember that consistent, positive relationships with caring adults will allow your child to grow, develop and learn. ? Observe if the caregivers are warm, caring and enjoy their work. ? Ask if the program is accredited or certified by a recognized respectable agency, such as NAEYC* www.naeyc.org, with higher requirements than minimum child care licensing standards. ? Ask about the experience, education and regular training of the caregivers. ? Ask about the number of children assigned to each caregiver and the number of children in each room in order to understand the opportunities for individual attention. Parent Involvement ? Ask if parents are welcome to visit and how they are encouraged to participate. ? Ask how and how often caregivers will communicate with you about your child’s progress. *Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (state organization that licenses and monitors child care facilities) *National Association for the Education of Young Children Best Practices for Nurturing Young Children The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed 10 standards that outline what all preschools, child care centers, kindergartens and other early childhood education programs should provide to nurture young children. One of the new standards focuses on the relationships that young children develop with adults and other children, which are crucial to early learning and development. Positive relationships formed through warm, sensitive, and responsive care help children feel valued and gain more from their learning experiences. Children need positive relationships so that they feel comfortable and learn how to cooperate with others. Relationships between teachers and families are also important, and help build environments that nurture children's growth and development. There are many ways that quality early childhood programs build relationships with children and among adults. When you visit a program, watch how teachers interact with the children, and look for evidence that teachers are fostering positive relationships, such as:
Quality early childhood programs foster positive relationships – among the children, between children and adults, and among teachers and families – to help children get a great start on learning. To learn more about the NAEYC Early Childhood Program Standard on relationships, the NAEYC Accreditation system, and other signs of quality early childhood programs, visit www.rightchoiceforkids.org. Source: NAEYC.com Four Steps for Selecting the School That is Right for Your Child The U.S. Department of Education has prepared the following list to assist parents in selecting the right school for their children. http://www.ed.gov/parents/schools/find/choose/pub_pg8.html#step2 1] Consider your child & your family. Start your search for the best school by thinking about what you want a school to do for your child. Perhaps your child has special language or education needs. Keep these in mind. After all, you know your son or daughter better than anyone else does. 2] Your Child's Needs
3] Your Child's Learning Style
Vanguard Programs (formerly Gifted and Talented) For the first time this year, programs for gifted and talented students in HISD will all be known as Vanguard programs. This change is part of a set of standards for Vanguard programs that were approved by the HISD Board of Education in March. The standards are based in part on recommendations from parents, community members, Vanguard coordinators, and school principals, and they are designed to enable Vanguard schools and programs to serve more students who are excelling academically and to provide better services. Currently, HISD has nearly 25,000 students identified as gifted and talented who are enrolled in Vanguard programs. According to HISD, previously there were two names for the same program:“Vanguard” and “Gifted and Talented.” Vanguard described the programs in Vanguard Magnet schools, while Gifted and Talented described the same services that are available in all HISD schools. Having one name – Vanguard – for both types of programs will help eliminate the misconception that the services students receive from each program are different. The term gifted and talented (G/T) will still describe qualified students, but not programs. How Students Qualify:
Elementary Houston A+ Challenge (houstonaplus.org), an independent, public-private organization that has supported public school improvement in the Houston area since 1997, recognizes the best practices of schools throughout the Houston region through its programs and rewards. Elementary schools, such as Pine Shadows Elementary (Spring Branch ISD) received a Replication Grant From Houston A+ Challenge. The grant is designed to encourage the replication of best practices in the Houston region’s schools. Pine Shadows, a Fine Arts Initiative School, will expand its highly effective visual arts integration program to more fully incorporate music into student curriculum. Houston A+ Challenge also recognized Beacon Schools, 11 schools that have proven records of reform to serve better their diverse students. To be recognized, each must display whole-school reform, a personalized learning community, a community of adult learners, powerful community connections, impressive student achievement, careful planning and mentoring. One Beacon School is Robert Browning Elementary, which serves the predominantly Hispanic community of Brooksmith, a neighborhood located on the eastern edge of the Houston Heights Area. It serves a diverse population, with programs such as Title 1, Head Start, Bilingual, English as a Second Language, Inclusion and Accelerated Academics. Through funding and assistance from Houston A+ Challenge, the Michael Kennedy Elementary School (Alief ISD) strengthened and expanded its reform efforts. Specifically, school leaders envision enhancing professional development by expanding the Summer Transformational Leadership Symposium; providing tuition for national, regional, and district in-services; expanding the Rice Storytelling Project; and providing release time and resources for new staff training. Personalizing the learning environment is another goal of the school's leadership. Ideas include expansion of flexible grouping practices, such as the Mixed Age Program, and producing videos in the various languages spoken by the students and their families as an orientation tool. Transitioning to Middle School Parents have concerns and questions about their children's transition from elementary to middle school, and any transition program must include the extensive participation of parents. According to the National Education Association, a well-planned, systematic transition program involves all the stakeholders: students, school personnel, and parents. Here are some things to consider: Incoming middle school students should be involved in a variety of activities preparing them for middle school. They should have the opportunity to meet middle school students and teachers in their elementary school. They should have the opportunity to visit the middle school in the spring and meet the staff and students, particularly their homeroom teacher and classmates. Educators in both the elementary and the middle school should provide activities for students that lessen their concerns, build their confidence, and reduce their anxiety. Current middle school students also should be prepared for and included in orientation presentations – through a leadership/student government class, a “buddy” system, or other planned ways. School leaders should plan and provide for several events that involve students, teachers, and parents. These events should focus on providing a positive message about middle school, that it is safe and fun. They should also focus on providing information about the changes that early adolescents will be experiencing. Elementary teachers, counselors, and other licensed staff members should be aware of the concerns of their students and the anxieties of moving into middle schools. They should be upbeat and reassuring -- and they should not use middle schools as a "threat" or misplaced motivational tool. They should know about the developmental issues, indeed, some of their students in the elementary schools will already be experiencing some of these changes. Middle school teachers should be well versed in the developmental issues of their students. They also should be aware that students will experience anxieties associated with the change and they should begin before school starts to work to neutralize these anxieties. Visiting elementary schools in the spring, so the students know the teachers, and addressing any questions or concerns on the first day of the school year are two ways to facilitate this easing into the year. Parents should attend the spring incoming parent night to meet homeroom teachers and begin to establish a relationship with the teachers. Parents should attend school meetings to learn about the concerns and questions their children have and will have. They should talk with their children about the upcoming school year and emphasize the positive aspects of attending middle school. Parents should watch for signs of depression and be ready to address them. Parents need to learn about young adolescents and their developmental issues and stages so that they will understand better this new and wonderful person with whom they live, and be able to interact with them in positive ways that build relationships. Making the transition into middle school is the first and most significant step to insuring a successful middle school experience. It is one that deserves time and attention. A well-planned transition program helps parents and students have a greater peace of mind by taking some of the stress out of the summer before middle school and providing the groundwork for a successful beginning of the middle school adventure. Middle School (Grades 6-8) Project Chrysalis Middle School is a charter school designed as a small-school alternative for children in Houston’s East End. Housed at the Cage Elementary Campus since 1995, Chrysalis has grown from a team-taught sixth and seventh grade class to an established middle school with approximately 150 students and eight faculty and staff members. It provides an extended day and extended year program, which emphasizes project-based and interdisciplinary learning. Middle school children should be taking the right courses in middle school to prepare for high school and college. Studies show that if students take algebra and geometry early – starting in 8th and 9th grade – they are more likely to go on to college than students who don’t. By taking algebra soon, a child can probably be able to enroll in chemistry, physics and advanced math courses before finishing high school. Then there will be room in a student’s high school schedule to take a second language, art or Advanced Placement course. Making good grades in these kinds of tough courses can be a big plus in helping a child get into college. Some other helpful hints for parents
HISD also offers challenging high school-level classes in middle school. Students with demonstrated language abilities can start taking advanced placement (AP) Spanish in 8th grade. Eligible students from Johnston Middle School take on an AP course load meant to prepare high school juniors and seniors for college. High School There are many successful examples of high school programs that emphasize high standards and provide a solid foundation for college-bound students. YES College Preparatory Schools (yesprep.org) is a free, open enrollment public school system that prepares low income minority students for college graduation. YES' rigorous 6th-12th grade academic model includes a longer school day and a mandatory Saturday school and summer school program. In addition, the YES charter mandates that students must be accepted to a four year college in order to receive their high school diploma. There are currently four YES campuses in the greater Houston area that serve nearly 1,500 students. YES has a proven track record of success:
Challenge Early College High School is a small high school with personalized instruction for each student and is the brainchild of the Houston Independent School District, Houston Community College System and Houston A+ Challenge. The school, which opened in August 2003, served approximately 90 students in grades 9 and 10 its first year. The campus is adding a grade level each year, eventually educating 400 students in grades 9 through 13. The college provides an accelerated, college preparatory learning program, allowing students to combine high school and college-level classes tuition free. (The traditional process takes six years – four years of “free” public high school and two years of college classes for which one has to pay.) Challenge Early College High School students attend a variety of advanced academics programs, college and technology classes and individualized educational courses. In this new model of schooling, students will be given more time when needed to finish a course. They will begin taking HCC courses as soon as they finish the prerequisite high school level material. Students will be encouraged to continue their studies and transfer to upper level institutions. Another educational program is the Houston Academy for International Studies, a small school with no more than 400 students in grades 9 through 12, located on the Houston Community College System Central Campus. The school emphasizes a personalized learning environment with each student assigned to a staff advisor. In addition to the Houston ISD core curriculum, students complete a global studies program. They also will complete at least four years of foreign languages, two service-learning experiences, an internship program and a senior project concerning international topics. Initial languages offered will include Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Asia Society, supported by a generous grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has established the first national network of urban secondary schools devoted to international studies and world languages. The model schools will provide a rigorous, engaging education to prepare them for college, the changing workforce, and the contemporary world. Empowerment College Preparatory High School opened in August 2005, with a ninth grade class of 81 students and will add a new class each year for the next three years, growing enrollment to a total of approximately 400 students. Through a personalized environment, college preparatory curriculum and social action program of study, Empowerment equips students with skills to become socially conscious problem solvers who make a positive impact on the community. In addition, by taking academically challenging courses at Empowerment and dual credit courses at Houston Community College, students will have the opportunity to earn up to 18 hours of college credit, transferable to most major universities. Empowerment enrolls students from the Houston Independent School District attendance zone. It provides a school of excellence and academics. These are just a few examples of high school programs that challenge students and provide a core curriculum that allow students to succeed and be prepared for college. Private School In a June 2002 report, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that private school students scored higher on standardized tests, had more demanding graduation requirements and sent more graduates to college than public schools. The report said that students who had completed at least the eighth grade in a private school were twice as likely as other students to graduate from college as a young adult. NCES statistics also showed that students in private schools are much more likely than others to take advanced-level high school courses. Students thrive when allowed to learn in a safe and supportive environment. Joint reports by the NCES and the Bureau of Justice Statistics, and a private study by the Horatio Alger Association have found that private school students are significantly more likely than others to feel safe and be safe in their schools. Good for Families Choosing a school for their children is one of the most important decisions parents must make. Whether they move into a school district, apply to a private school, or adjust family duties to make home schooling possible, most families want school choice. For the parents of more than six million children, the choice is private education. They choose a private education for many reasons, with quality academics, a safe and orderly environment, and moral and ethical values the common reasons cited. And choice makes them satisfied consumers. The N C E S reports that more than three-quarters of private school parents are “very satisfied” with their child’s school compared with less than half of parents whose children were assigned to a public school. Parents often look to private schools as an extension of the home in promoting the values they embrace, and private schools respond. A recent N C E S survey found that promoting religious/spiritual life was second only to academic excellence in the goals of private school principals. Fast Facts about Private Schools
Source: The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) (capenet.org) In the Houston area, there are more than 390 parochial and private schools for pre-K through high school, giving parents a wide selection from which to choose. Houston’s private schools offer parents a wide range of options from parochial schools to secular schools to international schools. Some are strictly early learning while others educate children from pre-K through the 8th or 12th grades. And Houston’s private schools are located across the region from The John Cooper School in The Woodlands to Crème De La Crème in Sugar Land to The Kincaid School in the Memorial area or the St. John School in River Oaks. Just one specific example of the high level of private educational offerings in the region is St. Francis Episcopal School. St. Francis created and patented its own arts appreciation program that is so dynamic that the school now sells it to other area schools. A few tips to know before choosing a private school in Houston include:
From day care facilities to high schools, Houston-area parents will find the solution that fits the family’s lifestyle and children’ needs the Houston area offers parents a wide range of options designed to fit families’ educational, moral and religious beliefs and each child’s learning aptitudes and intelligence level. With a little research, parents will find the perfect fit for the whole family. Colleges, Universities and Adult Education Houston is known as the academic center of the Southwest, providing a very strong higher-educational infrastructure. Total enrollment for Houston universities, community colleges and their institutions of higher learning is approximately 365,000. Among the highly rated academic institutions include Rice University’s Center for Biological and Environmental Nanotechnology, the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Community College System and Houston Graduate School of Theology. Community and Junior Colleges The Houston area community and junior colleges serve an important role in the area’s educational system. By offering two-year or university-parallel programs that lead to an associate degree in arts or science, they are the stepping stones to an undergraduate degree at a four-year institution. With the myriad of associate in applied science degrees and certification programs, they provide a ticket into the workforce as a trained specialist. In addition, their numerous continuing education programs and partnerships with the community and other post-secondary schools provide innovative programs for students of all ages. — Alvin Community College A public, two-year comprehensive community college, Alvin Community College (alvin.cc.tx.us) is respected for its university parallel and occupational-technical programs. The main campus is situated on 113 acres in Alvin, with expanded service in Pearland at the Pearland College Center. — Brazosport College Brazosport College (brazosport.cc.tx.us) serves the area, which includes Clute, Lake Jackson and Freeport, and the surrounding areas of West Columbia, Sweeny, Brazoria and Angleton. An open-door, equal-access higher education institution, Brazosport College offers academic preparation for four-year colleges, technical vocational-occupational training and continuing education courses. About 200 students graduate annually, and approximately 28,000 students enroll each year in credit and noncredit courses. As an integral part of the community, Brazosport College offers Saturday Morning Enrichment classes designed for kindergarteners through fifth graders, a summer Kids’ College and Teen College, and adult life and learning programs for seniors. — College of the Mainland Located in Texas City, 15 miles north of Galveston and 40 miles south of Houston, College of the Mainland (com.edu) serves the mainland portion of Galveston County. An open-door, comprehensive community college, it offers university-parallel programs, a variety of associate degree and certificate programs, continuing education programs, and service-oriented senior programs for residents over 55 years of age. Weeknights, an extension campus in League City offers college credit and continuing education classes. An average of 3,400 credit students have enrolled each fall semester for the past five years, and more than 10,000 continuing education students enroll each year. — Galveston College A two-year, open-door community college, Galveston College (gc.edu) offers university-parallel programs, vocational-technical programs and adult community education programs. In fall 2006, more than 2,300 credit students enrolled. About 10,000 noncredit students enroll annually. — Houston Community College System Founded in 1971 as an open-admission, public institution of higher learning, the Houston Community College System (HCCS) (hccs.edu) has provided education and training to more than 1.2 million students. Currently, more than 43,615 students enroll each semester. As the largest community college system on the Texas Gulf Coast and the fourth largest in the United States, the five regional colleges—Central College, Northeast College, Northwest College, Southeast College and Southwest College—and their nearly 80 instructional sites serve the four quadrants of Houston to provide the full-range of workforce training programs, academic transfer courses and continuing education to a diverse student body. — Lee College Located in Baytown, 25 miles east of Houston, Lee College (lee.edu) is a comprehensive community college. With about 5,344 students in 2006, Lee College offers instruction in a variety of academic, technical-vocational and continuing education classes as well as basic education courses for those seeking to improve reading, writing, arithmetic and language skills. — Lone Star College System (formerly North Harris Montgomery Community College District) The Lone Star College System comprises Cy-Fair College, Kingwood College, Montgomery College, North Harris College, Tomball College, six satellite centers and The University Center. Together they make up the fast-growing Lone Star College System, recognized among the finest community college entities in the country. The 2007 fall enrollment was 51,415. Each scenic campus provides an excellent learning environment and serves as a cultural magnet for its community. Businesses and community organizations appreciate the up-to-date facilities throughout the district and the availability of high tech training and conferencing capabilities at the District Services and Training Center and The University Center near The Woodlands. Flexible scheduling, small classes and outstanding faculty attract nearly 50,000 students in credit courses and an additional 14,000 in continuing education. Each college offers a comprehensive curriculum of associate degree programs, technical training and certification, university transfer courses, continuing education, developmental studies and literacy programs. Lone Star’s online courses are known for their excellence; instructors are certified for online instruction as well as highly credentialed in their subjects of expertise. The district’s strength in workforce, economic and community development is demonstrated through programs designed specifically to meet the needs of area businesses and schools. The district also operates The University Center where students can pursue more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s degrees from partner universities: Sam Houston State University, University of Houston Downtown, University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Prairie View A&M University and Texas Southern University. Listed below are some of the discoveries students can make at the colleges:
Students will find a gateway to all five colleges: North Harris, Kingwood, Tomball, Montgomery, Cy-Fair and The University Center at (lonestar.edu). — The University Center Located in The Woodlands, The University Center (tuc.edu) was developed by the Lone Star College System in partnership with Prairie View A&M University, Sam Houston State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Southern University, University of Houston and University of Houston-Downtown. Partner universities offer courses at The University Center for students to complete degrees under programs that are unavailable at the home base of such universities but featuring the same standard of quality. The University Center currently offers 26 bachelor’s degrees and 30 master’s degrees in a wide range of subject areas, a pharmacy doctorate and a post-baccalaureate teacher certification. — San Jacinto College District A comprehensive community college, San Jacinto College (sjcd.edu) serves six public school districts and communities north and south of the Houston Ship Channel. With three full-service campuses, the main campus is located at the junction of Pasadena, Deer Park and La Porte, and several extension centers are located in Clear Lake, Galena Park, Channelview and Sheldon. In addition to offering more than 100 fields of study, the college has unique instructional and training partnerships with businesses, industries and other colleges and universities.The NASA Johnson Space Center sends astronauts to San Jacinto College for emergency medical training. — Wharton County Junior College More than 5,800 students attend the state-supported Wharton County Junior College (wcjc.edu). Situated on 90 acres in Wharton, with satellite campuses in Richmond and Sugar Land, the college offers associate’s degrees in arts and applied science and draws students from Wharton, Austin, Matagorda, Fort Bend, Colorado and Jackson counties. Its curriculum includes a two-year program for all pre-professional majors as well as vocational and technical courses. Colleges and Universities The Houston area also is home to several excellent four-year universities and graduate schools offering everything from a liberal arts degree to a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine. Major Regional Universities — Rice University Located near the Texas Medical Center and the historic Museum District, the private, independent Rice University (rice.edu) is the city’s oldest university. Rice first developed major strength in the sciences and engineering – strength the university continues to have. U.S. News & World Report ranked Rice in the top 20 nationwide in their 2008 issue. Rice offers more than 50 majors in areas such as engineering, natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, music, architecture and administrative sciences as well as research opportunities in more than 30 interdisciplinary research centers on campus. Admission to join the ranks of the 5,000-plus students from all 50 states and around the world is highly competitive. About 10 applicants vied for every spot in the fall 2004 freshman class, and of those that made it, 76 percent ranked in the top 5 percent of their high school classes. Campus life at Rice is distinguishable from most other schools by its residential college system. All new students are randomly assigned to one of nine residential colleges, an affiliation they maintain throughout their undergraduate tenure at the school. Each residential college is self-supporting and becomes the students’ primary center for dining, studying, playing, networking and developing leadership skills. Additionally, in December 2003, Rice University became the ninth university or system of higher education approved as a member institution of the medical center. This move has increased the opportunity for collaborations in research and teaching between Rice and the medical center, especially in the unfolding revolution at the intersections of nanotechnology, biotechnology and information technology. — Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Founded in 1879, SHSU (shsu.edu) is located in Huntsville, 70 miles north of Houston. SHSU’s colleges of arts and sciences, business administration, criminal justice, and education and applied science offer 84 undergraduate, 47 master’s and four doctoral programs to its student body composed of approximately 15,900 students. In addition to an on-campus hotel and courtroom in the Criminal Justice Center, SHSU has two agricultural complexes, a rodeo arena, a student-operated cable television station and radio station, a student-published newspaper, a planetarium, an observatory and a weather station. — South Texas College of Law Unrivaled in the number of state and national moot court and advocacy competitions its students win, South Texas College of Law (stcl.edu), one of the country’s largest private law schools, is located on an entire city block in downtown Houston. About 1,290 full-time students attend, but coursework also can – be completed on a part-time basis, making the program more accessible to working students. The building housing South Texas College of Law also is home to the first and fourteenth branches of the Texas Court of Appeals and The Fred Parks Law Library, a recent addition that holds 450,000 volumes or volume equivalents. — Texas A&M University Located in College Station, about 90 miles northwest of Houston, the state’s oldest public institution of higher education, Texas A&M University (tamu.edu/), opened its doors in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College. Although the initials “A” and “M” link the university to its past, the school’s curriculum has expanded to also include engineering, architecture, business, education, geosciences, liberal arts, medicine, science and veterinary medicine. In 2007, U.S. News & World Report ranked Texas A&M in the top 20 national universities for its undergraduate engineering programs and in the top five for its industrial, agricultural and nuclear engineering specialties. Texas A&M fields more than 16,000 applications for the entering freshman class, accepting about 6,300 students. Texas A&M’s 10 colleges and branch campus offer 139 fields of undergraduate study, with 148 at the master’s level and 96 at the doctoral level. It also offers professional degrees, including the state’s only doctor of veterinary medicine program. Recently, Texas A&M launched a doctoral program in Hispanic studies. The 5,200-acre main campus, one of the largest in the country, includes a learning resource center, art gallery, radio station, television station, weather station, observatory, cyclotron, wind tunnel, visualization lab, nuclear reactor, ocean wave pool and the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Texas A&M began as an all-male military institution with required participation in the Corps of Cadets. Women now account for almost half the student body of about 45,000, and military training is optional. However, the Corps of Cadets and the “Aggie” traditions it established continue to shape the university’s culture. — Texas A&M University of Galveston (TAMUG) The 100-acre campus of TAMUG (tamug.edu), located in Galveston, is the maritime and marine branch of the Texas A&M University System. TAMUG offers specialized educational programs in marine curricula such as fish and game management, marine biology, marine science, maritime science, naval architecture, marine engineering, ocean engineering and transportation technology for about 1,400 students. The faculty members operate 17 research institutes, centers, programs and laboratories and have one of the highest average number of research dollars per faculty member of all the Texas public colleges and universities. — Texas Southern University (TSU) Initially established in 1947 to educate African-Americans, the state-supported TSU (tsu.edu), with its more than 9,000 students, is now one of the most ethnically diverse institutions in Texas. TSU has a graduate school and colleges for study in the areas of business, law, pharmacy and health science, education, science and technology, liberal arts and behavioral sciences, public affairs and continuing education. Doctorates are offered in law, pharmacy and education. Beginning in the 2002–2003 academic year, TSU’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences joined the medical center. — University of Houston (UH) System The UH System, comprised of four universities and two teaching centers, enrolls more than 34,000 students and employs about 3,000 faculty members. The University of Houston (uh.edu), the largest of the four universities, offers nearly 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees to more than 34,600 students from all 50 states and 126 countries around the world. Situated three miles from Houston’s downtown business district, UH has 13 colleges—architecture, business administration, education, engineering, honors, hotel and restaurant management, law, liberal arts and social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, optometry, pharmacy, social work, and technology—and a state-of-the-art recreation and wellness center, an art museum, a radio station, a television station, and more than 40 research centers, all contained in 551 acres of lush green space. Many of its degree programs are nationally-ranked, for example the university’s C.T. Bauer College of Business is recognized by many prominent publications as one of the nation’s leading business schools through several outstanding rankings. According to BusinessWeek, Bauer has the #1 evening MBA program in Houston, the #4 program in the Southwest and the #27 program in the country. Bauer also has the #2 ranked entrepreneurship program in the U.S. by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine. In addition, the finance department and marketing department faculty have respectively been deemed among the 10 most productive in the country according to a list compiled by Academic Analytics and published by the Chronicle of Higher Education. From over 139 different countries and a wealth of business and educational backgrounds, students come to the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston to experience the power when world-class faculty and programs meet the real world of business. UH awards around 6,500 degrees a year, and has the largest distance education program in the state, offering junior, senior and master’s courses. Located in the heart of Bay Area Houston’s high-technology community, adjacent to the NASA Johnson Space Center, the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 fields of study and master’s degrees in more than 40 fields from the schools of business and public administration, education, human sciences and humanities, and science and computer engineering. UHCL’s extensive range of programs attracts more than 7,500 students to UHCL during the fall and spring semesters, with nearly half of those students enrolled in graduate study. Since opening its doors in 1974, the university has awarded more than 45,000 degrees to a diverse student population from the state, nation and abroad. The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD), located north of Houston’s central business district, is comprised four colleges – business, humanities and social sciences, public service, and sciences and technology. These provide a wide range of undergraduate studies. Master’s programs in criminal justice, professional writing, security management and teaching also are available. The University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) offers more than 30 graduate and undergraduate degree programs in the schools of arts and sciences, business, nursing and education and human development. UHV primarily serves commuting students from Victoria and surrounding counties and collaborates with other UH System institutions to offer degree programs at a number of off-campus sites in the region, as well as a growing number of online courses accessible to students all over the world. The University of Houston System at Sugar Land and the University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch offer more than 45 degrees as well as four certificate programs through partnerships with area community colleges and the four UH System universities. — University of St. Thomas Located in the city’s historic Museum District, the University of St. Thomas (stthom.edu) was founded in 1947 by the Basilian Fathers, a congregation of priests devoted to teaching. Although a Catholic university, St. Thomas opens its doors to all religious faiths. At its foundation, this private university offers a liberal arts undergraduate education and selected graduate degrees taught by excellent professors. Eighty-nine percent of the full-time faculty at St. Thomas has the highest degree in their field. In fall 2006, enrollment included 3,607 students representing 32 states and 50 countries. The university has four schools – business, education, arts and sciences, and theology – as well as centers for business ethics, international studies, faith and culture, Irish studies and Thomistic studies. Other Universities and Colleges Include: — DeVry University Chicago-based DeVry University (devry.edu) provides undergraduate degrees in a variety of career-oriented business and technology fields at its main campus at Sam Houston Parkway North and Clay Road. Graduate degrees in business administration, accounting and financial management, human resource management, information systems management, project management, public administrations and telecommunications management are available through DeVry’s Keller Graduate School of Management (www.keller.edu) at the main campus and at a campus in the Galleria area. — Houston Baptist University (HBU) Located in southwest Houston, HBU (hbu.edu) is a private, Christian, comprehensive, liberal arts college, with about 2,300 students. HBU offers a combined total of 47 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs through its colleges – general studies, business and economics, education and behavioral sciences, fine arts and humanities, science and mathematics and nursing. — Our Lady of the Lake University-Houston With its main campus in San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University (ollusa.edu) offers a weekend degree program in Houston. The Houston campus offers junior- and senior-level courses required for bachelor’s degrees. Freshman and sophomore courses also are available on the weekends through a cooperative arrangement with North Harris College and Cy-Fair College. — Prairie View A&M University The second-oldest institute of higher education in Texas, Prairie View A&M University (pvamu.edu) is located in Waller County, about 40 miles northwest of Houston. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate academic programs in areas such as architecture, agriculture, human sciences, arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, juvenile justice and psychology. Ranked the only Texas school on Black Enterprise magazine’s 2006 list of “Top 50 Colleges and Universities for African-Americans,” PVAMU is consistently recognized for its specialized academic and performance programs, which were recently featured in U.S. News and World Report, Diverse Issues In Higher Education and the New York Times. — Southern Methodist University (SMU)/Houston Campus SMU (smu.edu), based in Dallas, remains independent of state support and is nonsectarian in its teaching. Offering courses leading to computer certification, SMU’s School of Engineering operates Advanced Computer Education Centers in a number of Texas cities, including Houston. The Perkins School of Theology, one of five university-related theological institutions of The United Methodist Church, offers master’s degrees and doctorates, with an extension program available in Houston. Medical and Health Science Schools Houston is fortunate to have in its midst the world-renowned Texas Medical Center. The medical center’s 43 not-for-profit member institutions see more than 5.2 million patients each year, spend more than $700 million on research activities and enroll about 70,500 participants in educational and professional courses. Not only does the medical center provide this city with some of the best health care available in the world, it provides a hub for educating many of its future doctors, dentists, nurses and other health care specialists. — Baylor College of Medicine Baylor College of Medicine (bcm.tmc.edu), the first institution to locate in the medical center, is the only private medical school in the Southwest. Each year, Baylor physicians see more than 135,000 inpatients and more than 1.7 million outpatients from around the world in its teaching hospitals and clinics. The college has 25 departments and more than 90 research and patient-care centers. Baylor College of Medicine was named the 10th Best Medical School for research in U.S. News and World Report’s 2008 annual rankings. Medical students and resident physicians in the Graduate Medical Education training program learn and work in its clinics and six affiliated teaching hospitals, which include The Methodist Hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital, The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Ben Taub General Hospital. — Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing. Five students enrolled in the first class when Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing (pvamu.edu) began as a two-year program in 1918. The college has been supplying nurses for the State of Texas ever since, with its program growing to a state- and nationally-accredited baccalaureate program. The College of Nursing moved to its Houston location in the medical center in 1968. Although the college currently occupies temporary space at 1801 Main, a new 12-floor structure is under construction at 6436 Fannin, with completion scheduled this year. The new 118,000-square-foot structure will allow the college to double its student capacity to up to 500 students. — Texas A&M University’s Institute of Biosciences and Technology Located in the medical center, the Texas A&M University’s Institute of Biosciences and Technology (IBT) (ibt.tamushsc.edu) is a part of the Texas A&M University system Health Science Center. Graduate and post-doctoral education is conducted at IBT in cooperation with other members in the A&M system. Unique in the nation for combining medicine and agriculture, IBT is dedicated to being a leader in biomedical research and biotechnology related to meeting society’s demands for a safe and healthy food supply and for developing technologies for the prevention and treatment of human and animal diseases. Key research areas include cancer biology and nutrition, environmental and genetic medicine, inherited diseases, arthritis, bone diseases and structural biology. — Texas Woman’s University Institute of Health Sciences The Texas Woman’s University of Health Sciences (twu.edu/ houston) produces more health care graduates than any other Texas institution and established one of the first doctoral nursing programs in Texas. It is the only institution in the Southwest to offer a Ph.D. in physical therapy, and its occupational therapy program is the largest in the nation. The Houston campus is located in the medical center and now has more than 1,000 students enrolled in the various health science programs seeking bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees in fields such as health care administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, nutrition, and library and information studies. — The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT-Houston) UT-Houston (uth.tmc.edu) – the most comprehensive academic health science institution in The University of Texas System as well as in Texas – also is located in the medical center. Embracing its comprehensive approach to health, UT-Houston brings together six schools -- the Dental Branch, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the School of Public Health, the Medical School, the School of Nursing and the School of Health Information Sciences -- as well as a number of special programs, entities and institutes such as the UT Harris County Psychiatric Center and the Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Disease. Although UT-Houston offers primarily graduate-level training, undergraduate programs in nursing and dental hygiene also are available. — The University of Texas Medical Branch of Galveston. The oldest medical school in Texas, The University of Texas Medical Branch of Galveston (UTMB) (utmb.edu) opened in 1891 with only 23 students, 13 faculty and two buildings. It now has more than 2,280 students and 1,600 faculty, occupies 85 acres and has 54 major buildings on its main campus, including six hospitals, an extensive network of campus- and community-based clinics, a Level I trauma center, four schools (School of Medicine, School of Nursing, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and School of Allied Health Sciences), two institutes (Marine Biomedical Institute and Institute for the Medical Humanities), an affiliated Shriners Burns Hospital and state-of-the-art research facilities. UTMB has an established reputation for research into infectious diseases and recently constructed a National Containment Laboratory at the highest biosafety level (BSL4), one of only a handful of such labs in the country and the first such lab on a university campus. A BSL4 lab allows scientists to study and develop countermeasures for biological agents that could be used by bioterrorists. In 2003, UTMB was one of only two locations in the country selected by the National Institutes of Health to receive a lucrative grant to help build a second BSL4 lab within the next five years. More Post-Secondary Educational Options Houston has a wide selection of specialty schools and training institutes, some of which offer degrees and others that provide certification for employment in specialty fields. The following are just a few of the available alternatives:
Continuing Education For those who simply want to keep their minds young, Houston’s continuing education programs are available at most of the community colleges and universities previously discussed, including Rice University, the UH System universities and Houston Community College System. In addition, other venues offer courses for people interested in an almost unlimited number of subjects. Here are a few favorites:
Houston and the region offers residents of all ages and interests a wide variety of educational opportunities – whether it is for credit, to develop a career or to expand your horizons. |
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