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Top 10 Best Central Northwest Public Schools (2025)

For the 2025 school year, there are 14 public schools serving 9,942 students in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston, TX.
The top ranked public schools in Central Northwest are Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School and Garden Oaks Montessori. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
The neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston, TX public schools have an average math proficiency score of 26% (versus the Texas public school average of 41%), and reading proficiency score of 35% (versus the 51% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public school average of 75% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston, TX (2025)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Oak Forest Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 81%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1401 W 43rd St
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 613-2536
Grades: PK-5
| 922 students
Rank: #22.
Black Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 62%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1575 Chantilly
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 613-2505
Grades: 6-8
| 1,331 students
Rank: #33.
Garden Oaks Montessori
Magnet School
(Math: 39% | Reading: 60%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
901 Sue Barnett Dr
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 696-2930
Grades: PK-8
| 780 students
Rank: #44.
Durham Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4803 Brinkman St
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 613-2527
Grades: PK-5
| 570 students
Rank: #55.
Kipp Nexus Middle School
Charter School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 41%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4211 Watonga Blvd
Houston, TX 77092
(832) 230-0553
Grades: 5-8
| 468 students
Rank: #66.
Kipp Nexus Primary
Charter School
(Math: 20-24% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
4211 Watonga Blvd
Houston, TX 77092
(832) 230-0553
Grades: PK-4
| 819 students
Rank: #77.
Wainwright Elementary School
Magnet School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 35-39%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
5330 Milwee St
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 613-2550
Grades: PK-5
| 396 students
Rank: #88.
Smith Elementary School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4802 Chrystell Ln
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 613-2542
Grades: PK-5
| 736 students
Rank: #99.
Southwest Schools Mangum El Campus
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
4515 Mangum Rd
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 688-0505
Grades: K-5
| 370 students
Rank: #1010.
Stevens Elementary School
(Math: 27% | Reading: 28%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1910 Lamonte Ln
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 613-2546
Grades: PK-5
| 574 students
Rank: #1111.
Clifton Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 17% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
6001 Golden Forest Dr
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 613-2516
Grades: 6-8
| 419 students
Rank: #1212.
Waltrip High School
Magnet School
(Math: 19% | Reading: 31%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1900 W 34th St
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 688-1361
Grades: 9-12
| 1,659 students
Rank: #1313.
Harper Daep
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4425 N Shepherd
Houston, TX 77018
(713) 802-4760
Grades: 9-12
| 127 students
Rank: #1414.
Scarborough High School
Magnet School
(Math: 9% | Reading: 15%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4141 Costa Rica
Houston, TX 77092
(713) 613-2200
Grades: 9-12
| 725 students

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston, TX?
The top ranked public schools in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston, TX include Oak Forest Elementary School, Black Middle School and Garden Oaks Montessori.
How many public schools are located in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston?
14 public schools are located in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston.
What is the racial composition of students in the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston?
the neighborhood of Central Northwest, Houston public schools minority enrollment is 85% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Texas public schools average of 75% (majority Hispanic).

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