Exploring Houston’s Top Elementary Schools: A Comprehensive Guide
Houston’s educational landscape is distinguished by a diverse selection of elementary schools, each known for its unique achievements, specialized programs, and academic excellence. For families prioritizing high standards, understanding these top performers can significantly influence school placement decisions. This guide provides a detailed review of Houston’s leading elementary institutions, highlighting their distinctive features, recognition, and academic metrics.
1. T.H. Rogers School
T.H. Rogers School serves grades K-8 within the Houston Independent School District (HISD). Recognized as a Vanguard magnet, it emphasizes gifted and talented education alongside support for students with disabilities, particularly through its Preparing Students for Independence program. Located in the Tanglewood area, the school is home to roughly 1,063 students.
Achievement metrics underscore its excellence: 87% proficiency in mathematics and 90% in reading. The school consistently ranks among the top in Texas based on national assessments, placing at No. 23 in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report listings for elementary schools in the state.
2. West University Elementary School
West University Elementary School, often called “West U,” is situated in the heart of West University Place. It exclusively serves students from its zone, with an enrollment of around 1,114 pupils.
Distinguished by outstanding academic performance, it earned a perfect score of 96 on the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings in both 2023 and 2024—making it the highest-scoring HISD elementary school. Its ranking among Texas schools reached No. 20 in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report list.
3. River Oaks Elementary School
River Oaks Elementary School is located in the affluent River Oaks neighborhood. About 696 students attend this school, which features a student-teacher ratio of 18:1.
Academic results are impressive: 85% proficiency in mathematics and 89% in reading. The school’s ranking hovered at No. 26 among Texas elementary institutions in 2025.
4. Roberts Elementary School
Roberts Elementary School in Bellaire serves approximately 724 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, emphasizing small class sizes to foster learning.
Proficiency levels include 85% in mathematics and 89% in reading. Its national ranking is at No. 39 among Texas elementary schools, reflecting strong academic standards.
5. Horn Elementary School
Horn Elementary School also located in Bellaire, enrolls about 751 students. Like Roberts, it emphasizes balanced classroom ratios—specifically 18:1—and demonstrates high academic achievement with proficiency scores similar to other top schools.
In the 2025 rankings, it achieved a placement at No. 41 among Texas elementary schools.
6. Mandarin Immersion Magnet School
Mandarin Immersion Magnet School is a K-8 institution within HISD offering immersive language education in Mandarin Chinese. It advocates bilingual proficiency alongside cultural literacy, preparing students for a globally connected world.
Its specialized curriculum emphasizes bilingualism in both academic and social contexts. The school ranked No. 68 among Texas elementary schools in 2025, reflecting recognition of its unique educational approach.
7. Bess Campbell Elementary School
Bess Campbell Elementary School is located in Sugar Land, serving roughly 1,018 students. It boasts a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and notable academic performance: 90% proficiency in mathematics and 94% in reading.
This school ranks high nationally, recognized as No. 13 in the Texas list based on comprehensive academic and extracurricular metrics.
8. Commonwealth Elementary School
Commonwealth Elementary School shares its location in Sugar Land with Bess Campbell and serves about 954 students. The school maintains a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, with proficiency percentages matching its neighbor—90% in mathematics and 94% in reading.
It benefits from a dedicated focus on academic excellence, consistently ranking at No. 13 among Texas elementary schools.
9. Creekside Forest Elementary School
Creekside Forest Elementary School is located in the Tomball area, serving approximately 546 students. Its student-teacher ratio is 16:1, facilitating targeted instruction.
Academic performance is outstanding, with proficiency rates of 96% in both mathematics and reading. Its top-tier standing is reflected in its ranking at No. 11 among Texas elementary schools in 2025.
10. Pope Elementary School
Pope Elementary School situated in Cypress, enrolls roughly 782 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, fostering individualized attention.
Pupil performance ranks highly: 96% proficiency in mathematics and reading. Its 2025 placement is No. 6 in Texas, indicating exceptional achievement levels.
11. Rummel Creek Elementary School
Rummel Creek Elementary School in Houston serves approximately 737 students. Its student-teacher ratio is 16:1, aligning with the district’s emphasis on smaller class sizes.
It excels across core subjects, with 96% proficiency in mathematics and reading. The school ranks at No. 6 among Texas elementary schools for 2025.
12. Silvercrest Elementary School
Silvercrest Elementary School located in Pearland, educates around 1,018 students. The school’s student-teacher ratio is 17:1, with high achievement in core areas—90% proficiency in mathematics and 94% in reading.
It holds a top-5 ranking among Texas elementary schools, placed at No. 4 for 2025.
13. The Rice School
The Rice School is a prestigious K-8 magnet affiliated with Rice University. It emphasizes STEM education—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Founded in collaboration with Rice University, it develops students’ academic and research skills at advanced levels. Its rigorous curriculum reflects its reputation, ranking highly within Texas for its specialized and college prep focus.
14. Spring Branch Academic Institute
Spring Branch Academic Institute is a small K-12 school in the Spring Branch district. With around 148 students, it emphasizes high academic standards and college readiness.
Its proficiency rates are exceptional: 95% in both mathematics and reading. The school ranks at No. 11 among Texas elementary schools in 2025.
15. Stafford STEM Magnet Academy
Stafford STEM Magnet Academy serves kindergarten through fifth grade in Stafford Municipal School District. Its curriculum is extensively focused on STEM disciplines, promoting critical thinking and innovation.
Ranked second among Houston-area elementary schools by a prominent educational assessment for 2023-2024, it exemplifies the integration of specialized STEM education at the elementary level.
Key Factors to Consider in School Selection
When evaluating Houston’s top elementary schools, consider the following:
- Academic Performance: Proficiency rates and standardized test results offer insight into school effectiveness.
- Curriculum Offerings: Special programs, languages, and STEM focus can align with student interests and future goals.
- Class Size and Student-Teacher Ratios: Smaller ratios often correlate with personalized instruction and better student support.
- Recognition and Rankings: Consistent high rankings reflect sustained excellence and community trust.
- Extracurricular Activities: Opportunities beyond academics enhance social skills and holistic development.
- Community and Environment: School culture, safety, and parent involvement influence overall experience.
Preference for specialized programs like language immersion or STEM magnet schools can drive specific choices. Equally, proximity and community values often shape enrollment decisions, as well as the school’s ability to foster a stimulating, inclusive environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What criteria define the top elementary schools in Houston?
Top elementary schools are characterized by high proficiency scores, consistent academic rankings, specialized programs, low student-teacher ratios, and strong community involvement.
How important are extracurricular activities in school rankings?
While academic performance primarily influences rankings, extracurricular activities contribute significantly to holistic development and can impact parent and student satisfaction.
Are specialized programs like STEM or language immersion available at top schools?
Yes. Many leading schools offer unique programs such as STEM focus, language immersion, or arts integration, catering to diverse interests and preparing students for advanced studies.
How do school rankings reflect actual student success?
Rankings typically consider test scores, academic achievement, and program offerings. However, they may not fully capture individualized student growth, extracurricular opportunities, or community fit.
Key Features Summary Chart
| School | Grades | Student Population | Proficiency in Math | Proficiency in Reading | Special Program | Rank (2025 Texas) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T.H. Rogers School | K-8 | 1,063 | 87% | 90% | Gifted & Disabilities | 23 |
| West U Elementary | Elementary | 1,114 | 96% | 96% | N/A | 20 |
| River Oaks Elementary | Elementary | 696 | 85% | 89% | N/A | 26 |
| Roberts Elementary | Elementary | 724 | 85% | 89% | N/A | 39 |
| Horn Elementary | Elementary | 751 | 85% | 89% | N/A | 41 |
| Mandarin Immersion | K-8 | Varies | Not specified | Not specified | Mandarin Language | 68 |
| Bess Campbell | Elementary | 1,018 | 90% | 94% | STEM, Arts | 13 |
| Commonwealth Elementary | Elementary | 954 | 90% | 94% | STEM Focus | 13 |
| Creekside Forest | Elementary | 546 | 96% | 96% | Small Class Sizes | 11 |
| Pope Elementary | Elementary | 782 | 96% | 96% | Advanced STEM | 6 |
| Rummel Creek | Elementary | 737 | 96% | 96% | N/A | 6 |
| Silvercrest | Elementary | 1,018 | 90% | 94% | Specialized STEM | 4 |
| The Rice School | K-8 | ~1,152 | Advanced STEM | Advanced STEM | STEM Focus | High |
| Spring Branch Academic Institute | K-12 | 148 | 95% | 95% | Rigorous & College Prep | 11 |
| Stafford STEM Magnet | K-5 | Varies | Not specified | Not specified | STEM Specialization | 2 |
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
