The rank of local school districts is one of the most important considerations for potential home buyers. Sure, there are other factors to consider –– size and age of the home, are the
appliances updated, hardwood vs. carpet. Does it have a yard? But according to the National Association of Realtors, buyers are willing to pay more money for a home in close proximity to a good school. A lot more. In fact, one out of five say they are willing to pay between six and ten percent more for a home –– with one out of ten people saying they would be willing to go up as high as 20 percent –– in a top-ranked school district.
So, what does all this mean for you as a homeowner? Purchasing a home in a great school district can be an excellent way to protect your investment against a volatile market. When a down market takes hold, the homes in exceptional school districts typically retain their value better than houses in other neighborhoods. So, whether you plan on having children or not, the quality of the school district should be a major factor when it comes to purchasing your home and what you can potentially sell it for later on.
Luckily, some the best Houston ISD schools are located in the Greater Heights and Oak Forest Areas. Below are the Top 5 Schools in these neighborhoods listed by rank against all HISD schools and overall grade.
Oak Forest Elementary is part of HISD’s Vanguard Magnet school network. These schools offer programs that are designed to meet the needs of Gifted & Talented students in grades K-12 who excel in general intellectual ability in combination with creative/productive thinking and/or leadership ability. Admission is through an application process outlined by HISD.
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#33 Harvard Elementary A+ – Houston Heights
Harvard Elementary is an International Baccalaureate World School. The school also participates in the HISD Vanguard Neighborhood program, STEM and offers a unique EARLY (Engineering and Robotics Learned Young) project through its Robotics Camp.
Admission to Harvard Elementary is available to students living within the predetermined HISD school attendance zones. Magnet school transfers are also offered on a ‘space available’ basis.
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#53 Travis Elementary A+ – Woodland Heights
Travis Elementary is located in the Historic Woodland Heights and accepts zoned and non-zoned students. Butterfly Gardens and a Bird Sanctuary enhance the campus which uses Gardening, Fine Arts and Field Studies to complement classroom learning. Harvard also participates in the Vanguard Magnet program and has specialized opportunities for students with Dyslexia and Special Needs.
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#244 Garden Oaks Elementary A- – Garden Oaks
Garden Oaks Elementary public school provides a world-class education based on the Montessori methodology of learning with a focus on Environmental Sciences. All classroom teachers are certified to teach Gifted and Talented students. Garden Oaks embraces STEM learning and participates in the HISD Dyslexia program.
The “Pink School on Studewood” serves zoned and transfer students through programs focused on Gifted and Talented, Special Education, and the Arts — including excellent music and enrichment programs such as Writers in the School (WITS) and Artbound (Art League).
Rankings provided by Children at Risk.
