Rainard School

My son is a proud graduate of Rainard School. He struggled in public school even though he is a high achiever and always maxed testing. He was in pre-ap and challenge programs but thought the work was tedious and he was used as teacher's assistant. We tried home schooling but were not successful. When we found Rainard, we felt like it was the perfect fit and it worked for us beautifully. The teachers he had were wonderful. The founder and headmaster were lovely people and he still keeps in touch with them. Most of his teachers have moved on except for one and she is the best. If your child can start early in their program they will love it. Rainard's been educating gifted children for 26 years so there must be something special about it.
—Submitted by a parent

Rainard is the best place for young scientists. The lower school science teacher is the most nurturing teacher in TX. She saved my son from unnecessary meds and therapy. Try her science camp ( she even teaches in the summer). The outgoing director was not the best but there's a new headmaster who seems nice.
—Submitted by a parent

Public or private, there is no better school in Houston for those with high outlier IQs. It is not for everyone; but that is the point. If your child is in trudging through school and looks forward desperately to the one-hour a day, or one-day a week they may be pulled out for GT acceleration Rainard may well be the place for you. Kids are not gifted only during GT pullout time. They need a full-time program. They need peer group. The need teachers who see kids like these every day not just once or twice in their careers. Rainard has proven willing to meet head on the intellectual, social and emotional needs of this amazing population. The school has been a great blessing to our family. With the new head of school, the sky is the limit for Rainard. If you have one of these kids, please don t wait as other schools waste multiple years of your child s time by making them wait and wait and wait for the rest of the class. Is Rainard perfect? Of course not. But rest assured that you'll find no zoo chow here; let your cheetah run free.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a six year old who is starting her second year at Rainard this fall. Returning to the public school environment would be unthinkable. Last year, our daughter researched and presented several projects to the other students and parents on topics in zoology, botany, the human body and medieval castle building technology, all within the context of the school's theme last year of the Middle Ages. During evening bath time last year she told me the story of the Battle of Hastings and the start of feudalism. (That was even one of her spelling words!) She went on field trips to the Japanese gardens, museums of natural science and modern art, and to see plays in two separate venues. We were very pleased with the education she received and are excited about the new school year. We strongly recommend Rainard to parents who are looking for an environment to allow their gifted child to excel and not be held back while the other kids "catch up" in kindergarten. Rainard has a new head of school this year, with a lot of support and a plan to grow the school to reach more students. We're pleased with the direction and excited about this new year!
—Submitted by a parent

We have been thrilled with Rainard for both of our children. Our son has been there for three years and our daughter for one year. The campus is quaint and the staff is unbelievably caring. More importantly, our quirky kids have found friends at Rainard with common interests. The school serves a definite need in the community. It is not a traditional school, so it might not be for everyone, but for students who need a challenging environment with flexibility to learn at their own pace, Rainard is a great option. Although in previous years I would have given a lower school based on the leadership, the new head of school is fantastic! The school is really lucky to have him.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a current highschool student at Rainard, and I believe that it has turned my life around. Before I began attending Rainard I was living and recieving therapy for depression at a residential treatment facility it Utah. My schooling there was not that great and I feel behind in math. It wasn't that I was bad at it, I fell behind because I was only taught the basics. This RTC was not that bad, I have been to many schools in which the math was "dumbed down." This became quite apparent when I had trouble in Geometry because I had not learned how to apply the information I learned in Algebra I. I am doing quite well now here at Rainard where I fit in, not because I'm a freak or a nerd, but because I now have the ability to use my intellect to its full potential. If I had known about Rainard earlier in my life I would have been here in a heart beat.

This is my student's 8th year at Rainard. I previously wrote a glowing review because Rainard was truly a GREAT school, but that is no longer the reality. A serious word of caution to parents considering this school for their child...request the opportunity to interview the teacher of the class your child will be placed in BEFORE you enroll. After a chaotic classroom experience in 2009-10, we hesitantly re-enrolled after an unsuccessful search for an alternative. Our experience in 2010-11 has been an excrutiating disappointment and our family (including the student) has unanimously agreed that we will not return and may not finish out the school year. Huge disappointment...the joy-filled learning environment that sustained our first 6 years has been so distorted over the past 2 years that we no longer recognize it. Truly sad.
—Submitted by a parent

Be very careful. My child went to this school for several years and it used to be a very good school for Gifted Children. The 2009-10 school year was abysmal. Many of the fundamentals of the school were changed. Communication with the parents was terrible. The Saxon Math comments below are right on. We were one of a large number of students who left at the end of this year.
—Submitted by a parent

The Rainard school is very good and my son is flourishing there in their positive environment. I was worried at first about the program not having a rigid structure, but that turned out to be a positive not a negative. The post about Saxon Math may have a little validity to it - my child asked me to tutor him in his math (which is not a problem for me). Overall, his math is doing very well, he just wanted to catch up and pass other students. The overall results from the school are excellent. I have accepted the way they teach because of the results. I am a very structured and disciplined person so I had to take a step back and review from a larger perspective. I am very satisfied with my child's progress.
—Submitted by a parent

Rainard's math program is a joke. They use Saxon math which when used correctly can be good. However, the students teach themselves which is not how Saxon is intended to be used. The people at Saxon will tell you that it is not intended to be a self-teaching curriculum. The way Rainard uses Saxon amounts math worksheets with only about ten minutes of instruction per student per every three days. Children who once loved math are bored and falling behind unless they have hired outside tutors or are being taught by their parents at home.
—Submitted by a parent

Rainard School is the only place for gifted students in Houston, does a great job of nurturing the joy of learning and getting out of the kids' way.
—Submitted by a parent

I enjoy the tailored academics and that my kids do well socially at this school
—Submitted by a parent

Rainard is amazing! Nutures and encourages gifted children. A daunting task at times!
—Submitted by a parent

Rainard is the only school for gifted kids in Houston. It understands their different needs and learning styles and helps them in many different aspects of their lives.
—Submitted by a parent

It's the only place in Houston where gifted kids are loved and respected for their differences and are offered the education they so greatly deserve.
—Submitted by a teacher

Rainard is a truly unique school that has given our son the freedom and support to excel and achieve to his full potential. It has really been a blessing.
—Submitted by a parent

My son graduated from 8th grade and was able to go into most 10th grade classes at Katy High. He is now attending UT very successfully and will graduate early thanks to advanced classes taught individually at Rainard.
—Submitted by a parent

If you have perfect children with perfect lives, by all means, send them to this school. If you or your children are less than perfect you must either accept the psychoanalysis of the teachers and administration or leave, and sometimes both.
—Submitted by a parent

Very innovative school with great teachers. Every student can work on her/his own (advanced) level and pace without being hold back by age or grade.
—Submitted by a parent