Texas Schools

Texas's education system

Texas has six public university systems and four independent public universities. Texas is home to three top nationally recognized public research universities: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, and the University of Houston.

The state also has many private universities. One of the nation's leading teaching and research universities, Rice University was ranked the 17th best university in the nation by US News & World Report. Additionally, Southwestern University, the oldest university in the state, was chartered by the Republic of Texas.

Texas has over 1,000 public school districts. All but one Texas school district is independent and separate from all forms of local government (the one exception is Stafford City School District). School districts may (and often do) straddle city and county boundaries. Independent school districts have the power to tax residents and claim eminent domain over private property. The Texas Education Authority (TEA) oversees and provides supplemental funding to these school districts, but its jurisdiction is primarily limited to interventions in underperforming districts.

Texas also has a large number of private schools of all kinds. The TEA has no authority over the operation of private schools. Private schools may or may not be accredited and no achievement tests are required for seniors graduating from private schools. Many private schools obtain accreditation and conduct achievement tests to demonstrate to parents the school's interest in academic performance.

States have some of the fewest restrictions on homeschooling. Neither the TEA nor the local school district has the authority to regulate home school activities. There is no minimum number of days or hours per day that must be met, and no achievement test is required for homeschooling seniors. The validity of homeschooling has been challenged in Texas, but the landmark case of Reaper v. Arlington ISD found that homeschooling is legal and the state has little power to regulate the practice. Judgment has been rendered.

Texas's Famous Schools

There are many schools in Texas that are known for their academic excellence, extracurricular programs, and community involvement. Here are a few examples of schools in Texas that are considered to be well-regarded.

School for the Talented and Gifted: This is a public magnet school in Dallas, Texas, known for its strong academic program, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

The Seven Lakes High School: This is a public high school in Katy, Texas, known for its strong academic program, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

The School of Science and Engineering: This is a public magnet high school in Dallas, Texas, known for its strong academic program, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

St. John's School: This is a private, independent school in Houston, Texas, known for its strong academic program, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

The Hockaday School: This is an all-girls, private, independent school in Dallas, Texas, known for its strong academic program, extracurricular activities, and community involvement.

It's worth noting that these schools are not the only notable schools in Texas, and there are many other schools that are considered to be well-regarded and have a good reputation. Additionally, Texas also has some of the most prestigious universities and colleges in the country, such as University of Texas at Austin, Rice University, and Texas A&M University, which are also known for their academic excellence, research, and community involvement.