Woodlands/Lake Conroe/Conroe (The Woodlands, Spring: sales, roughest, home builders)

[citizen_jane]

Where to start... off with the kid gloves

The area of Conroe ISD that is in the Woodlands is very affluent and in general their test scores are very good. Some of the areas to the East of I-45 (not in the woodlands) are much less affluent and the schools suffer badly. When you talked to the rep from Conroe ISD and they said those schools graded lower due to "diversity" it was a nice way of saying those schools are mostly attended by poor African Americans. So what's important to you is not the ratings of the entire district but the schools your kids will attend.

Back to Tomball ISD. Lakewood Elementary in the southern end of TISD has consistently earned Exemplary ratings. It is a very school and I think this is one reason for the good reputation of the district. Northpointe Int and Willowwood JH are also considered very good schools even with the "acceptable" rating. I love the schools and wonder why the low rating. The ratings are based on TAKS scores. If you look at the TAKS scores by demographic you begin to see a picture of what's really going on. It doesn't matter if you're in Conroe ISD or Tomball ISD, the demographic of economically disadvantaged kids score low on the TAKS test. IMHO, the only difference between the schools is the percentage of economically disadvantaged kids at the school. The ESL kids generally get the blame but I think economics is more telling. Bottom line, my kids are both in the GT (gifted and talented) program and it has been excellent thus far. In TISD the demographics are more evenly distributed across the schools compared to Conroe ISD.

[ReneeG71]

So, In your opinion, should I stay away from Conroe schools?

[citizen_jane]

no, not at all! I think the schools in the woodlands are excellent. If my husband's commute was reasonable, that's where I would live. Just don't get hung up on the rating for the entire district.

Have you visited the area yet? Do you have a real estate agent to help you?

[ReneeG71]

We do have a name of a realtor, but we are still trying to sell our current home. My husband is already in Houston working. I was there for a weekend last month. I did love the Woodlands, but can't really get what I want for the price. That is why we looked in Conroe Graystone Hills and loved the neighborhood and home, just were concerned with the schools. Where are you in Tomball? We have not checked that area yet. We are looking for a new or newer home over 3500 sq. feet, no more than $400,000. My husband was going to look at Bender's Landing in Spring today. Conroe is where his office is located that is why the Graystone Hills was perfect commute-wise for him. Anyway, thanks for all your help. It is really hard to choose an area that you are not familiar with.

[observer]

I would recommend renting for about 3 months before deciding on where to purchase. The Houston metro area is very large with many different neighborhoods to choose from.

In your particular case it seems as if the northern part of the Houston area is what is being considered; From the Woodlands north to the Conroe area. By renting first it will allow you to house hunt and check out different neighborhoods as well as schools before making a calculated decision. I feel a few months of active searching while renting will be much more useful than possibly rushing into purchasing a home in an area that in a month or 2 may not be what you hoped for.

Good luck in your search, and continue researching.

[mom22bless]

We are in Tomball ISD. Minutes from TW in Montgomery County. Our elem was recognized. I agree that it's just based on TAKS. There are great teachers everywhere.

And an important point too is that TISD isn't too "PC" yet. They still say Merry Christmas and even had a "Christian saying" on a publication.

[mom22bless]

Carriage Hills in Conroe is zoned to TW schools. Look into that. It's on 1488.

[SkyeAnjel]

As a realtor, I am not to politically correct either. I sent out all my neighborhood newsletters to the neighborhoods I market regularly with Merry Christmas on it against the advice of some in my office. I believe that the majority of people who don't celebrate Christmas or are of a different religion or from another country are not offended. They expect it, as I would if I spent the holiday elsewhere. The ones who are offended are the Christians and/or traditionalists who don't feel we should change everything we believe in to satisfy a few. I also want people to know who I am and if my saying "Merry Christmas" as opposed to "happy holidays" causes someone to not use me as a realtor, then I wouldn't be right for them anyway.

[mom22bless]

I don't believe in learning Spanish to read the billboards either but that's a whole other topic. =o)

[Guerilla]

Originally Posted by momof3inreno

I am relocating to the Houston area from Reno. I am from Chicago so am excited to get back to bigger city living. I have some concerns about areas/schools. My husband's main office will be in Conroe. He will also be traveling up towards the Dallas area. We love the Woodlands, however, cannot afford the house we want (new or newer 4,000 sq. ft) there. We have been looking heavily in the Graystone Hills neighborhood in Conroe where we found a house we love!! The neighborhood is close to shopping schools and my husband's work. Our big concern is what we have heard about the Conroe schools. Are they really that bad? Does anyone know anything about the Lake Conroe areas such as Grand Harbor? I heard that Montgomery schools are the best. My only concern there is that it is too far away from things. I am a stay at home mom who wants to be near preschools, elementary schools, ball fields, etc.? I also want to be in a friendly kid neighborhood with other stay at home moms. Our price range is up to $400,000. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thank you.

$400,000 is your price range? I can easily find you some nice homes in some nice neighborhoods up in Conroe/The Woodlands. Have you tried looking in The Woodlands itself? All of the schools there are nice and the neighborhoods are, too.

http://www.thewoodlands.com/