The John Cooper School

I am ONLY rating the summer academic program at JC (but my child's summer program teachers were full-time teachers during the school year there as well). My child is in all pre-AP classes and mkaes straight A's in Klein ISD. She took grammar, intro-algebra, and a speed reading course just to get a jump start on her 8th grade year. She complained a little about going at the time, but 6 months later, just out of the blue at dinner she said, "JC had some great teachers. I learned more in summer than I learned all year in Klein. I want to go back next summer. I wish we could afford to go there full time"
--Submitted by a parent

I am surprised to hear that someone can hate this school. I am sorry to here you had a bad experience. My son has had an amazing first year. The teachers and administration have been so open and available to our family. The academics are dynamic and from speaking to other parents at other schools JCS challenges the children even at a young age. Anyone who is interested in this school should speak to parents and students. I had an intuitive feeling it was the best choice for my son and our family.
--Submitted by a parent

I graduate from the John Cooper School and this has literally been the four most terrible years of my life. I would never wish this experience upon anyone. The children AND the parents are awful and extremely full of themselves. I've been a student since the lower school and even that is falling apart. You are now paying for a public school education if you attend this school. Teachers need to retire or get revamped in the near future because this school is going down the drain. Even when students/parents talk to the dean or principal about particular teachers, nothing is done to improve the situation. Overall, I have had a terrible four year experience. The only redeeming quality is the college counseling, but you can find a strong college counseling program at a better school. I count down the days that I will never have to walk through the doors of the John Cooper School again. I will definitely not remember my high school years fondly.

also another thing when i transfered in to cooper in 4th grade, i have never been involved with such a mean group of kids. I was miserable for 2-3 years before I started to find a group of real friends.

If you "hate JCS" then you likely have never stepped on campus or experienced quality education. JCS is an amazing school with fabulous resources for the kids. We are not a "privileged" family and work hard to pay full tuition. No money is wasted here and the teachers are fabulous! Children are extremely bright and are the most polite and well-mannered in the area. They have many more opportunities for self-expression than at public schools and are given endless support and encouragement by teachers and peers. JCS celebrates diversity in their students/families and encourages parent participation. WAY more activities and educational exposure than any public school in The Woodlands. Public schools are good here, but your child will be just a number in a sea of students. If you want your child to achieve academic success, strong leadership skills, and a hunger to achieve/reach goals, JCS is the school for you.
--Submitted by a parent

amazing school the athletic and acedemic programs are amazing jcs is the bomb.com
--Submitted by a student

I went to Cooper for most of my life and can only remember one issue with bullying- bullying by one of the 'diverse' students in middle school. The school needs to continue to attract the most qualified students, regardless of skin color. Students have the opportunity to participate in any extracurricular they wish, regardless of talent or experience, with the understanding that academics are the most important part of the Cooper experience. Overall, students are generally involved, intelligent, and willing to help out- especially with new students.
--Submitted by a student

Outstanding academics. Strong extracurricular activies. Being a private school that boasts diversity, our children found on several occasions a level of discomfort around religious conversations that stemmed from bullying at the school.
--Submitted by a parent

JCS has been an EXECELLENT school this year! This is our 1st yr/Kindergarten. I would recommend ANYONE to enroll their child or children. there is A LOT of involvement by faculty,parent & students. I volunteer quite a bit & can tell you, the days I am not there,I wish I was. I feel like I am missing something fun! I can feel everyone wants to be there & knowing this & the diversity of the school makes me feel VERY confortable about the networking that starts at a very young age. I pray we are able to live in the woodlands for the remaining 12 years my son will have here! in my opinion, if you are not involved in your childs life,you will miss out on their growth & 1 day look back & wonder what happened. even if it an hr a week at school,it MEANS THE WORLD!
--Submitted by a parent

I went to Cooper between 5-12th grade. It was a wonderful learning environment and really prepared me for college. The work load is huge, and I would certainly say that my top-tier University was much easier to handle than High School at Cooper. The school has really expanded since I graduated, but I hear they've retained the small class sizes that made learning so individualized. The students were always very accepting of new people, and overall were very kind to one another. In response to an earlier review about increasing diversity, I think Cooper does the best they can with the pool of Woodlands residents. Overall it's a great school and a great investment in your child's future.
--Submitted by a former student