Two Houston campuses earned places among the top elementary schools in Texas, according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Spring Branch Academic Institute claimed the No. 1 position, while T.H. Rogers School ranked No. 4 statewide.
The results give Spring Branch ISD and Houston ISD a prominent place among more than 5,000 Texas elementary schools evaluated for the annual list.
Spring Branch Academic Institute Ranks No. 1
Spring Branch Academic Institute earned the title of Texas’ best public elementary school. It also ranked No. 1 among the state’s public middle schools.
The specialized Spring Branch ISD program serves highly gifted students in grades one through 12. Its curriculum allows students to work at a pace and depth suited to their academic abilities.
The program opened in 2013. However, its younger students attend classes at host campuses. Elementary students are housed at Thornwood Elementary, while middle school students attend classes at Spring Forest Middle School.
According to the school’s official website, instruction focuses on academic challenge, creativity and independent thought. Each student follows an educational path based on individual abilities and needs.
The school’s broad grade range made it eligible for both the elementary and middle school rankings. Its first-place finishes put the campus at the top of both statewide lists.
T.H. Rogers Joins Top Elementary Schools in Texas
T.H. Rogers School placed No. 4 among Texas elementary schools. That represents a nine-position rise from the previous U.S. News ranking.
The Houston ISD campus also finished No. 5 among Texas middle schools.
T.H. Rogers operates a Vanguard Magnet Program for gifted and talented students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It also houses the Preparing Students for Independence program for students in grades six through 12.
Admission to the Vanguard program requires gifted and talented identification and an application through HISD’s school choice process. The campus is not a neighborhood-zoned school.
The two programs give T.H. Rogers a distinctive student population and academic structure. Its placement also made it the highest-ranked HISD elementary campus in the new statewide report.
How U.S. News Created the Rankings
The 2027 U.S. News rankings cover approximately 46,000 public elementary schools and more than 24,000 middle schools nationwide.
U.S. News evaluated mathematics and reading or language arts performance. The organization used publicly available information from state education agencies and federal education data.
The methodology considers overall achievement on state assessments. It also compares results with student demographic backgrounds to measure school effectiveness.
Schools compete directly against other campuses in their state. Private schools are not included because comparable state assessment data is generally unavailable.
Rankings can offer families a snapshot of academic performance. However, they do not measure every part of a student’s experience. Programs, transportation, admission requirements and individual learning needs can also shape a family’s decision.
Houston Campuses Gain Statewide Recognition
The latest results extend beyond the top five. Five Houston ISD elementary schools and four Spring Branch ISD campuses placed among Texas’ top 100, according to the Houston Business Journal.
The strong showing highlights several Houston-area public school options. Families considering these campuses should review eligibility rules, application deadlines and program requirements through each district.