Secondry schools in Houston

[more14]

I am moving to Houston this summer (2014) with a 14 and 16 year old. Does anyone know anything about the British School there? Or the Awty?
Many thanks

[Megrim]

We were there a few years ago, when it was just opening - knew a few parents with younger children there and they were happy with it. Seems to be a good option if you want your children to continue the English educational system format - are your children thinking about Uni in the UK or in the US or elsewehere?

Whereabouts are you planning on staying in Houston? If you're relocating through a company move, can their relocation agents give you any help? Are there any families out there that you can ask? For instance, Schlumberger runs a Spouses Association that can put you in touch with families in Houston.

[more14]

Thanks Megrim. We do have a relocation agent but I just wanted to get a possibly unbiased opinion from a Brit 'on the ground' so to speak!
I'll check if there are other families within the company :)

[CQ]

We moved back from Houston in 2012, and my kids were at the British School. They got a good education, though the fees are astronomical, but they get away with it as most expat kids' fees are paid by the company.

DS left at the end of Yr 8, and DD at the end of Yr 6, and they both passed entrance exams to good independent schools back here, and are not behind or lacking in any way, so I can't fault the education they received there.

The school itself is pretty run down but I hear there are plans to relocate to a new purpose-built site in 2015, so that will be great.

The headmaster and his wife run the show (she's head of sixth form) and are interesting characters - but they get the results and it's not a popularity contest.

The school community is great - very welcoming and sociable and it will make your transition very easy if you decide to put your kids there.

Other schools I would consider are Awty and the Village School.

Just to warn you - there is nowhere in Houston doing A-levels now, they all do IB. It's a great qualification but not for everyone.

Feel free to PM if you want to ask me more

[Megrim]

The British School website says that it will be offering A Levels from September 2014, in addition to the IB.

[CQ]

That's good.

[kittermum]

As a child I attended Awty Internation School in Houston : loved it, great memories, lots of French families as there is a French section.

[more14]

Many thanks CQ for all your information. It's great to hear from someone who has been there and knows what's going on. The British School is starting A levels this year so there is now that option which is good.
We are also looking at Awty so it was nice to hear your positive comments kittermum - thanks.

[ksb76]

My kids are currently at the British School. While the teaching has been good, the other facilities at the school are poor; buildings, extra curricular activitiies etc. Having come from an independent school in the UK, I would equate it to a good state school rather than a private school. The new school has been put on hold by Nord Anglia we were just told, so no idea when / if that may ever occur, so if you are like most expats to Houston and looking to be here 3-4 years I would focus on the current campus rather than hoping for a miracle.
If I had to make the choice again; British vs awty vs the Village I think I probably would have chosen the British, but right now it's because I don't want to live near the village and awty has a reputation of being very pushy and not very international (most kids are here forever, just have foreign parents which is a completely different environment to the usual 3-4 year turnover at a normal international school) rather than the British school being outstanding.