Downtown schools??? (Houston, Pasadena, Beaumont: apartment complexes, rental, townhouse)

[rjharrison07]

Moving back to Houston and we have a 4 yr old who will be going to Kjndergarten.... We want to live downtown, either Midtown, montrose, or galleria.... In an apartment. Do any of these areas have good public schools? Or do I need to do private school?

Thanks for info.

[Schumacher713]

Downtown you will have to do private. Downtown is not for families. Midtown is not for families either. Galleria will have the best schools out of those. I actually went to Briargrove when I was a kid. I am not sure how good it is these days. Montrose has some ok elementary schools. You might want to look at the Heights also.

http://www.greatschools.org/texas/ho...?gradeLevels=e

[EasilyAmused]

Rent a townhouse on memorial near 610. Best schools in the metro k-12.

Briargrove in Galleria/Uptown is still a good school, but it can be more challenging to get from that area to downtown.

[houston-nomad]

Be aware that when people say "downtown" in Houston they mean the skyscraper district, tightly bounded by 45/59. Sounds like you mean "in the loop" (bounded by the 610 loop). There are plenty of great options. Since you want an apartment building that will affect things... for example you might be able to get into West U elementary, which is highly rated in a very expensive neighborhood, since you're looking to rent an apartment rather than buy. You'll need a realtor who is familiar with good rental options.

[Schumacher713]

Getting into the rich elementary schools like West U and River Oaks through apartment is not so easy. Just because the complex is zoned there does not mean you will go to school there. There are just not enough spots.

[crone]

I sure wish school districts would locate some schools within employment centers.

The kids could ride to school with parents. Parents could have lunch with their kids some days. Parent teacher conferences would be easier.

Looks like win/win to me. No scrambling to get your kid into a "good" school. People could live where they liked.

[Oildog]

Originally Posted by crone

I sure wish school districts would locate some schools within employment centers.

The kids could ride to school with parents. Parents could have lunch with their kids some days. Parent teacher conferences would be easier.

Looks like win/win to me. No scrambling to get your kid into a "good" school. People could live where they liked.

There seem to be plenty, but not everyone qualifies or can afford them. Wharton, Crockett, Harvard, River Oaks, Memorial are elementarys near me. With Reagan, Davis and Carnegie high schools for downtown workers.

Pasadena, Deer Park and towns near the channel have schools near high employment areas.

But if you want the 3000+ sq ft house with a yard and a pool, you are going to compromise a bit as there isn't room for that in high employment areas...in a city with 4+ million people. The folks I know who have been happier with that type set up like places like Lake Jackson, Texas City, Beaumont/Port Arthur better.

[KatieKennedy]

There are no decent public elementary school options in downtown or midtown. There are some apartments zoned to West University Elementary School on Edloe and Bissonnet. Check out the Village at West University Place and Belmont complexes near West U. They are building some more apartment complexes right now along Bissonnet between Kirby and Weslayan. You can also find some apartments in the Montrose/medical center area that are zoned to Poe Elementary or Roberts Elementary, which are a good elementary schools. The Galleria area has lots of apartments. As the other poster said, Briar Grove Elementary is a good school. If you are looking to enter kindergarten next fall, a lot of the schools are having their kindergarten round ups/preregistration for zoned students now. Some schools may claim to be full, but f you are zoned there, they have to take you.

[Schumacher713]

Katie I thought they did not to take you are zoned. I guess I was always wrong about that. It is a no brainer to pick a complex zoned to West U. It is also an easy drive to downtown. It is one of the best family areas in Houston. If I had kids I would move back there. Though prices are crazy there. Lots are pushing past 105 a sqft.

[vegankris]

I live two miles from downtown and I'm very happy with my kids' schools. I have an elementary student and two high school students. They are enrolled in the public schools. HISD. I would say that you can absolutely live close to downtown and find excellent public schools.