An independent school district is the neighborhood school to which your child is assigned, based on where he or she lives. Tomball ISD has an exceptional rating and is said to be “not just a district…it’s a destination.” This premiere school district may also be a major factor in our area’s population growth. The number of homeowners here may almost double by the year 2030.
What To Know About Schools
Most ISDs:
- Are free
- Include students from a specific zip code or geographic areas
Other educational choices can include:
- Charter schools – These public schools aren’t managed by the local school district and often prioritize students based on income or need. They are free but may have fees for certain programs.
- Magnet schools – Magnet schools are public schools offering a curriculum especially focused on a specific program (arts, early college, engineering, science, technology, etc.). Magnet schools usually require application during a set timeframe, and they may require auditions or interviews.
- Private schools – Non-public schools are not government funded and require tuition and fees. Curriculums and educational achievement measurements may differ from public schools; some private schools have religious affiliations.
School-Shopping? Here Are 6 Tips
1) District Scores
Test scores may not be the end-all way to judge performance, but they provide valuable information. Tomball ISD students test higher than most Texas schools’, and most of the schools themselves scored A’s.
Texas Education Agency combines several factors for Tomball’s high scores. Nonprofit GreatSchools is another reliable source; Tomball schools averaged 4 out of five stars. Public School Review is a good resource and puts Tomball schools in the top 5% of high-performing Texas schools.
2) Extracurricular Activities
What clubs or after-school programs would benefit your student? Are they held at the school or nearby parks/libraries? Dynamic school districts offer students plenty of opportunities to explore their interests.
3) Money Matters
How much does the district spend on education, per child? With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, Tomball ISD spends and average of $7,422 per student. (Texas’ base amount has been $6,160 since 2019.)
If your child is physically challenged or has special needs, you may want to know how much is set aside for specific disability programs. Is more spent on art programs than sports? What about monies budgeted for technology expansion? Find out what an ISD’s priorities are when it comes to educational investments and expenses.
4) Talk To Neighbors
If you’re planning to move to a certain community or neighborhood, don’t be shy. Knock on doors and let the homeowners know you’re wondering about the area schools. If you’re intimidated by that, consider visiting HOA (homeowner association) offices and reach out to board members with kids.
5) Visitations
Your first grader’s elementary school is a great place to start, but consider visiting middle and high schools, too. “The best way to get a vibe of the district and a particular school is to talk to the principal,” says one Realtor. “Be leery of those principals that don’t want to talk to you.”
Spend time in one or more classrooms. Observe the ways teachers interact with their students and how the students interact with their teachers. How is the material presented and how engaged are the kids?
6) Your Student
Some kids thrive in large, dynamic environments while others need more personalized and individualized attention. You know your child’s needs, abilities, and learning style.
- Does your child need one particular or a variety of physical and sports development programs?
- Is ethnic diversity important to your family?
- Would a music and/or band program benefit your student?
These are just a few of the things you need to consider for your student and your family.
Tomball ISD: A Superior Choice
Based on statistics from knowledgeable, professional organizations and resources, Tomball Independent School District educational facilities are not just better-than-average schools. They are among the best schools in the State of Texas.
- #14 in 2023 Best School Districts in Texas
- #34 of all Texas school districts, 2022-2023
- Graduation rate – 96% (among the top 10% in Texas)
- Math proficiency – 66% (Top 5%)
- Minority enrollment – 51% (Top 1% of most diverse schools in Texas)
- Overall Texas district rank – Top 5%
- Public School Review rating 10/10
- Reading proficiency – 63% (Top 5%)
Tomball Independent School District gets an A+, based on hundreds of parent reviews. But ultimately, you are the best judge of what is right for your student.
If you have questions about Tomball ISD, our schools, or the Tomball Education Foundation, please let us know. Contact Tomball Education Foundation.
FAQs
Some of the frequently asked questions we receive about Tomball Independent School District are:
A: Tomball Independent School District has 20,262 students in grades PK, K-12.
A: Tomball ISD has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1.
It serves nearly 22,000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 across 22 campuses.
