The Best Private Schools in Highlands, Texas
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Highlands. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. John Elementary School
Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
St. John Elementary School is a highly-regarded Catholic school located just minutes from Highlands in Baytown. Serving students from Pre-K through 8th grade, the school offers a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with Catholic faith formation. The school features modern STEM labs, comprehensive fine arts programs, and competitive athletic teams. Parents consistently praise the dedicated faculty, strong community atmosphere, and excellent academic preparation. With small class sizes and a focus on character development, St. John provides a nurturing environment that emphasizes both academic excellence and spiritual growth.
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St. Joseph Catholic School
Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
St. Joseph Catholic School has served the Baytown-Highlands community for over seven decades, offering education from Pre-K through 8th grade. The school provides a challenging academic program that includes advanced coursework and comprehensive religious education. Facilities include modern classrooms, science labs, a full gymnasium, and extensive athletic fields. The school is known for its strong parent involvement, dedicated teachers, and commitment to developing well-rounded students through academics, faith, and extracurricular activities. Many graduates successfully transition to top private high schools in the Houston area.
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The Banff School
The Banff School
The Banff School is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School located in nearby Houston, serving students from Highlands and surrounding communities. Offering education from Pre-K through 12th grade, the school provides a comprehensive college-preparatory curriculum with IB Diploma Programme options for high school students. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including science laboratories, art studios, performance spaces, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes individualized attention with small class sizes and offers extensive extracurricular programs in athletics, fine arts, and community service. The Banff School is particularly noted for its strong college placement record and diverse student body.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Highlands, Texas
What are the primary private school options available within the Highlands, Texas community, and what are their educational philosophies?
Within the Highlands area, families have several core options. St. John Elementary School and St. Joseph Catholic School are faith-based institutions offering a traditional academic curriculum integrated with Catholic values and religious education. The Banff School, located nearby in the Greater Houston area and serving Highlands families, offers a distinct, secular, college-preparatory environment with a focus on individual student potential and a more flexible, progressive approach. This gives Highlands parents a clear choice between parochial and independent school models without needing to commute deep into Houston.
How does tuition at private schools serving Highlands, TX, typically compare to the broader Houston metro area, and are there financial aid options?
Tuition for schools like St. John and St. Joseph in Highlands is generally more affordable than many elite private schools in central Houston, often ranging in the lower to mid-five figures annually, reflecting their parish-subsidized models. The Banff School's tuition is competitive for a private, secular education in the region. Texas offers limited state-level assistance for private education, but all these schools typically have their own need-based financial aid programs, and many families utilize payment plans. Additionally, Texas has the 529 Private K-12 Tuition Plan, allowing tax-advantaged savings withdrawals for private school tuition, which is a key state-specific consideration.
What unique academic or extracurricular programs are offered by private schools accessible to Highlands residents that leverage the local Texas environment?
Schools serving Highlands often incorporate Texas history and ecology deeply into their curricula. Furthermore, specific programs stand out: St. Joseph Catholic School emphasizes community service projects within the Highlands and greater Lynchburg area. The Banff School is known for its entrepreneurial and STEM-focused initiatives, which can connect with the local industrial and energy sectors prevalent in the Texas Gulf Coast. Extracurriculars often include robust athletics (with Texas-style football and volleyball) and agricultural clubs that align with the region's culture, which may not be as prominent in urban-centric private schools.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for private schools in Highlands, TX, and are there considerations for siblings or parish members?
The enrollment process for Highlands-area private schools often begins in January or February for the following fall, with priority deadlines by March. St. John and St. Joseph Catholic Schools typically give priority to active members of their supporting parishes, followed by siblings of currently enrolled students, and then new families. The Banff School has a rolling admissions policy but recommends early application due to space. All require application forms, student records, teacher recommendations, and often a family interview or student assessment. Given the smaller size of these school communities, applying early is crucial to secure a spot.
For families in Highlands, what are the tangible differences between sending a child to a local public school (like Highlands Elementary in Goose Creek CISD) versus a private school here?
The key differences involve class size, curriculum focus, and environment. Public schools in the Goose Creek CISD, like Highlands Elementary, are tuition-free and offer standardized Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum to a diverse student population. Private options offer smaller class sizes for more individualized attention. The Catholic schools provide daily religious instruction and a values-based environment. The Banff School offers an accelerated, project-based curriculum with different graduation requirements. For Highlands families, the choice often hinges on seeking a specific religious foundation, a more rigorous or niche academic track, or a smaller community setting than the public district provides, balanced against the commitment to tuition.
Private Education Insights
Discover the Best Private Pre-K Programs Near Highlands, Texas for Your Child
As a parent in Highlands, Texas, beginning the search for a "private pre k near me" is an exciting and significant first step in your child’s educational journey. This early foundation is about more than just learning letters and numbers; it’s about nurturing curiosity, social skills, and a lifelong love for learning in a supportive environment. In our close-knit community, you have several excellent options that offer distinct approaches, allowing you to find a program that aligns perfectly with your family’s values and your child’s unique needs. The decision is deeply personal, and understanding the local landscape here in Highlands and the greater Baytown area is key to making the right choice.
When researching "private pre k near me" in our area, you’ll discover that these programs often provide smaller class sizes and more individualized attention than many public alternatives. This is a tremendous benefit for young learners, allowing teachers to truly know each child and tailor activities to their developmental stage. Locally, you have access to faith-based foundations, such as those at St. John Elementary School and St. Joseph Catholic School, which integrate spiritual and moral development into their daily curriculum. These schools offer a structured, values-oriented environment that many Highlands families seek. For parents interested in a different pedagogical approach, The Banff School, while a short drive away, presents a compelling option with its focus on a well-rounded, enriched curriculum that often includes arts and sciences even at the pre-kindergarten level.
Your search for the right "private pre k near me" should involve considering practical, local factors. Think about your daily commute and the school’s proximity to your home or workplace in Highlands. Traffic patterns around the Baytown Tunnel and State Highway 146 can influence morning routines, so visiting during drop-off hours is a wise idea. Additionally, engage with the school community. Ask about parent involvement opportunities and if there are other families from Highlands attending. This can help build a local support network for both you and your child. Don’t hesitate to ask specific questions about how the program prepares children not just academically, but socially and emotionally, for the transition to kindergarten.
Ultimately, the best way to evaluate any "private pre k near me" is through an in-person visit. Schedule a tour, observe a classroom in session, and trust your instincts about the atmosphere and the connection between teachers and students. Notice if the children seem engaged and happy. Talk to the director about their philosophy on play-based learning versus more structured academics, and see which approach resonates with you. In Highlands, you have the advantage of choosing from schools that serve as cornerstones of our community. Investing time in this search now will provide your child with a nurturing, stimulating launchpad, setting a positive tone for all their future learning adventures right here in our own neighborhood.