British School of Houston

The British School is a better choice than Awty and I can tell because I had one child at Awty last year and I am moving him to the British. The British school is a warm welcoming school and focusses on the individual child and his/her talents. The academic standard is high, but there is also a good focus on the fun of learning. My daughter is in year 8 and she loves it! If you are an expat you feel more at home here than at Awty; Awty is a posh American prep school with a somewhat international character but they are loosing more and more expats because of the ridiculous entrance exams and rules! The IB results of the British School are the same of even better, so no worries there either
—Submitted by a parent

My son (12) and daughter (10) started at the BSOH this year after we moved from the UK in the summer. The whole experience has been very positive. The schools my children attended in the UK were regarded as good examples of state schools; one primary and one secondary. However the BSOH has definitely raised the expectations of my son and he has focused much more on his work and learning. The recent review stating that the school has only a basic academic level is simply wrong. The staff have been friendly and helpful during parent's and showcase evening's and I've been impressed by their attitude. The criticism that can be levelled at the school is down to the buildings, that are not as plush and modern as some schools. However they are okay and a school is made good by it's staff and pupils and not it's buildings. Overall we are very happy with the school and it's a good choice.
—Submitted by a parent

Unfortunately it is only at a level of a basic UK school,so if you expecting your child to have a chance at entering top universities such as Oxford ,Cambridge,Havard etc,it is not a school that will make that happen.I would recomend Awty .,as it follows an international program and it is very academic.
—Submitted by a parent

This school could have so much more potential if it only would stop trying too hard to be a business! Not as warm and fuzzy as the Principal spins it when you turn up to the new parents info session. For the amount paid per term, it's taking the mickey a bit I think. Also don't expect admission or apology of fault on their part. This school is all about covering itself first and foremost (probably a hangover from the highly litigous nature of the USA).
—Submitted by a parent

Having to choose as an expat between Awty and the British School summer 2011 was hard from a distance, but I'm sooo glad I choose for the British School in the end. It's a warm and friendly school and we have all been made so welcome. The teachers are great and whenever I have a concern or question they are spot on. They differentiate in the learning in class and this is good for the individual child so that they get more of a challenge or don't have to work against their limits which is not good when you're settling in in a new country and city. English is not their first language but this was addressed perfectly by the BSH. They are all so happy and I have heard this too from much more new parents. Again I am very glad I made this choice. People changed to the British School last summer after trying for a year at Awty because it was so strict and inflexible as a lot of expatriates are pointed to Awty only, but in the last years the British School is getting better and better - this is no doubt the case for the young kids, but also for the Middle years and Upper School the British School is getting better.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has surpassed expectations especially in the primary. The staff are great - they really know my children and what it is they need. The Deputy Head is great as well. He knows every child and their family and will always stop for a chat. The curriculum and teaching here are wonderful. Every topic they do is great, my children come home every day talking about what they have been 'learning'. When I was at school, it was what we had been doing!
—Submitted by a parent

I would not recommend this school if your child has any educational problems. Although they state they help children, they do not. You have to paid extra for tutoring and any extra support your child may need. Ask for the parent handbook before you sign up - why isn't it on their open pages.
—Submitted by a parent

I have been a long-term student at BSOH, since 2007. When I arrived, the student body was warm and welcoming, teachers were of good quality, but the head teacher seemed distant from the actual school. Over the years, management has changed, as have teachers. At the end of last teacher, far more than half of the secondary school teachers left, leaving the school without some of it's greatest assets: the teachers. With the beginning of the new academic year, many new teachers have been brought on, and are all very enthusiastic and commited to helping the students achieve high grades. However, I have also noticed that there is a divide between the current headmaster and the student body, and many of us do not believe that he is running the school adequately. I would recommend this school to Brit expats in particular as it maintains the education standards and provides plenty of other expat families to meet and socialize with. We're always happy to meet new people BSOH, it's just a shame that the poor leadership has sent a divide between the students and head teacher. I have to disagree with the review below, as none of us are rude or treat any other students badly.

Currently I am a new student at the british school of houston...When you get to a new school your supposed to be welcomed when I got to the school everyone was rude and I was left out. Theres GREAT education but the people are very rude ! The facilities are not good but the supplies is. If your a parent and your reading this and your kid is going into Y8 SWITCH SCHOOLS. Also, they usually refer to last year like in science, history and music. I HIGHLY recomend if your kid is going into y8 to switch schools.

I agree with the previous comment - excellent teachers. However, OVER HALF the secondary teachers left this July - you have to wonder why?
—Submitted by a parent

I was very happy with the teaching and care my daughter received at the British School of Houston. She did the last year of the very demanding IB Diploma and I can happily say that the level of professionalism from all the teachers she had was absolutely fabulous. The BSH has very good teachers who will go that extra mile to make sure your child thrive in their education and life.
—Submitted by a parent

I have little positive to say about this school, teachers have been slightly better than average, the academic programs have been just below average but the head leadership has been very poor. I am pleased we are moving on.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children who have attended the British School of Houston for two years, and over the past year I have seen significant improvements at the school in terms of the leadership, facilities and direction the school is taking. The recent renovation programme has been a huge success and the summer's outstanding GCSE and IB results are a true reflection of the academic standards and focus on learning that exist at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

My child has been at the BSH for several months coming from a British International School overseas. If you are coming from the State system in the UK, the education standards are probably higher. If you are coming from a fee paying UK school or from the private sector internationally , you will be sorely dissapointed. There is no doubting the integrity and commitment of the staff but, they need to be led, encouraged and given the resources to raise the bar of the 'extras' commonly expected from education institutions in it's peer group. This school falls terribly short of facilities (piecemeal renovation will not correct the fundemantal flaw of the design) and its; social/sporting/cultural programmes remain mediocre at best. If you want your child to stay within the British Curriculum here in Houston, you have no choice.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has just graduated from the British School of Houston after 4 years of Education there... .. the teachers are fabulous, very caring and hard working. The new head teacher and head of IB are doing a great job... and the current year 12's will benefit fully from their input. I would definately recommend this school
—Submitted by a parent

I have four children at the school and could not be happier with the education they are receiving. The school's best asset is the teachers, who are inspiring and motivating. This year has seen a new headmaster, Mr Foxwell, step into the role smoothly and been able to give the school a great sense of direction and leadership. I have had my children in the school from age four through to graduation and would recommend the teachers and level of education to anyone considering the school.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has come a long way in the last year! The new leadership has done wonderful things for the school, and the entire community is feeling the effect of this positive change.
—Submitted by a parent

I think the school is increasingly becoming a business concern rather than an institution focused on education and developing children, the BSA management appear not to care about parent concerns. On the school website you will find a statement concerned with continuing to offer a caring, friendly and international atmosphere , they either need to update their website or change the school management.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of two children in the senior school. We have been at the school almost 5 years. In our experience the standard of education has been progressively improving throughout this period and we can see a distinct improvement in the delivery of homework and marking in the last year. It certainly appears that the new leadership will ultimately raise standards which all the pupils will benefit from. In response to some of comments in previous reviews I should state that the staff turn over this year is just 10 % which is the lowest the school has known. Staff are being challenged for sure but the great majority are responding positively. The school has a lot of great teachers and there are a tremendous number of positive extra curricular accitivities. It was a very good decision to have our kids attend the school
—Submitted by a parent

1 year ago I would not have recommended the British school to any new family ! However the past 6 months under the leadership of the new head shows that the school is definately heading in the right direction. I have 2 children in the upper school who are being challenged to work to their uppermost potential by a team of positive & professional staff. They are also learning alongside other kids who are happy to be there and are from well educated & supportive families. I am confident that the exam results will reflect the positive work going on inside the school. If you want your kids to be happy at school and be successful then I can highly recommend coming here.
—Submitted by a parent