Updated Guide Available: For the latest trends in test-optional colleges for Fall 2027 admissions—including the latest research on outcomes, current Texas university policies, and a practical framework for deciding whether to submit scores—see our comprehensive 2027 guide: the State of Test-Optional College Admissions in Texas for 2026-2027. The test-optional wave [...]
The Texas School Voucher Program, "Education Freedom Account (TEFA)" program officially launched on February 4, 2026, offering Houston families up to $10,474 for private school tuition and up to $30,000 for students with qualifying disabilities. However, with Houston’s average private school tuition nearing $28,000, a significant funding gap remains. This [...]
Analysis of Houston School Choice Lottery for 2025-2026 The most popular Houston ISD (HISD) magnet schools for 2024-2025 are Harvard Elementary School, Pin Oak Middle School, and DeBakey High School. The application cycle for the 2025-2026 school year took place the previous year, between 2024-2025. Families had relatively decent chances of [...]
Whether you are planning out your timetable for extracurricular activities or your preparations for the ISEE, SAT, ACT, or AP exams, please keep the following dates in mind. 2025 August 12 – First Day of School September 1 – Labor Day October 3-4 – Fall Holiday November 24-28 [...]
Choosing where you will spend the next four years is a high-stakes decision that shapes your learning, finances, and future network. This guide shows you—step by step—how to choose a college by building a balanced college list that fits your academic profile and your life goals, without letting rankings or [...]
Applying to college gets tougher every year, with constantly shifting requirements, tricky essays, and increasingly fierce competition. Private college admissions consultants simplify this process, providing personalized guidance, targeted essay help, and smart planning—all proven to boost college acceptance rates. With expert support, families stress less, save time, and help students [...]
T.H. Rogers is both the best elementary and middle school in the Houston Independent School District (HISD) by Texas STAAR test scores. TH Rogers consistently ranks as the top HISD school; however, it's not terribly surprising given that every student at Rogers must both be gifted and talented (GT) [...]
At General Academic we're constantly aware of and alerting parents to Houston's major academic dates and deadlines like the ones below. This article is about a previous year. Click here for the 2025-2026 Houston Academic Calendar. 2024 August 12 – First Day of School September 2 – Labor [...]
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is the most popular standardized test required for admission to most Houston-area private schools. This page details test dates and locations for the 2024-2025 application season. Parents must register directly with the test administrator at ERBLearn.org. General Academic is Houston’s leading ISEE tutor; [...]
For the 2024-2025 school year, Houston private school tuition costs $26,896 a year on average per child, which amounts to a nearly 5% increase in tuition as compared to the 2023-2024 academic year. The cost of a private education in Houston has increased 21.3% since before the pandemic. This article [...]