River Oaks Baptist vs Annunciation Orthodox School (Houston, West: private school tuition, college)

[NYCtoHOS]

Do any parents (or alumni) have any insights to share on River Oaks Baptist (ROBS) versus Annunciation Orthodox School (AOS)?

- Why would you (or did you) prefer one school versus the other?
- Is one regarded to have better academics?
- What is the family and children culture?
- Where do children matriculate?
- Did you apply for preschool, Kindergarten and/or middle school?
- How are their extracurriculara and afterschool programs (sports, music, chess, debate, etc.)?

I recognize there are numerous other great schools in Houston, but i would like to get some opinions on these specific two. Thank you!

[KatieKennedy]

My daughter graduated from ROBS 6 years ago, so my input is a bit dated. My daughter applied to both schools for middle school, and we toured both. Both have very nice facilities. I preferred ROBS because we are protestant and the religious emphasis at ROBS was closer to our beliefs than the Greek Orthodox school's. Both schools have excellent academics and similar placement into high schools. ROBS is in the midst of a large building program which will expand the middle school facilities significantly. Most of the students in my daughters class matriculated into Episcopal, but many of the top students went to St. John's, Kinkaid, Strake, St. Agnes, and St. Thomas High. A few went to public high schools: Memorial, Carnegie Vanguard or Lamar. ROBS has strong sports, but my daughter did not participate in them. She was involved in the choir and drama programs which were pretty good. The art program is good also. ROBS has an after school program until 6. The families are involved and attend school events.

[NYCtoHOS]

Thank you! In hindsight, do you wish you would’ve applied in preschool or kindergarten and had your daughter start sooner? I hear middle school is so competitive these days.

[KatieKennedy]

No. She was in St. Luke's preschool and then West U Elementary. Those were excellent choices for us at the time.

[NYCtoHOS]

Thank you! Ironically, West U elementary is an option for us as well. I have read people’s main concerns are the large classroom sizes and access to administrators when issues arise.

[KatieKennedy]

We saved the $$$ we would have spent on private school tuition and put it in a 529 fund for college. West U is large, but the teachers are excellent. West U has good placement rates into the private schools for those that want to go private for middle school.

[Houston parent]

West U Elementary might be the best public elementary school in the Houston area. It is certainly among the top few. My niece and nephew went all the way through West U Elementary recently - nothing but good feedback from their parents.

[Houston parent]

OP - if you are considering both ROBS and AOS, its clearly not for the religious instruction. Southern Baptist and Orthodox are pretty far apart theologically speaking. If, as I suspect, you are really just looking for a good academic environment, then go West U Elementary.

[Houstonianmom]

West U is large, but if you want to go good private for middle school, it might be the best choice.

[Clever nickname here]

Having lived in the area and having sent my kids to PS, who played both schools regularly in athletics, my observation is ROBS has way more social climbing moms who have a chip on their shoulder from ROBS not being considered an elite private school yet will remind you where their kids go to school at every chance.