Education

MAKING THE GRADE

BY PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI

WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION IN FORT BEND, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUALITY LEARNING INSTITUTIONS ARE AS DIVERSE AS THE COUNTY ITSELF. WHETHER YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR PREMIER SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS, TECHNICAL COLLEGE, OUT OF THE BOX LEARNING OR EVEN HONING OR ADDING TO YOUR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, FORT BEND RECEIVES AN A+ IN EDUCATION.

Public School Districts

The county is home to four major school districts: Fort Bend ISD, Lamar Consolidated ISD, Stafford Municipal School District and Needville ISD.

FORT BEND ISD

Established in 1959, in 2023 Fort Bend ISD (FBISD) celebrated the enrollment of its 80,000th student with a district wide celebration. The largest district in the county, it is Texas’ eighth largest and one of the most diverse districts in the nation, with families who speak more than 100 languages and dialects. FBISD currently has 82 campuses: 11 high schools, 15 middle schools, 51 elementary campuses and five specialty schools to address the academic and vocational interests of students located in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Richmond, Fresno, Houston, Meadows Place and Rosharon. For the 2021-22 school year, FBISD received a “B” rating, an 89, from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

LAMAR CONSOLIDATED ISD

Celebrating its 75th anniversary, Lamar Consolidated ISD’s (LCISD) enrollment is nearly 43,000 with 47 campuses consisting of 6 high schools, 6 junior high schools, 5 middle schools, 29 elementary and 1 early childhood center located primarily in Richmond, Rosenberg, Fulshear and Beasley. In TEA’s 2021-22 school accountability ratings, the district once again received an “A” rating in addition to all LCISD campuses meeting accountability.

STAFFORD MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND NEEDVILLE ISD

The two smaller public school districts in Fort Bend are Stafford Municipal School District (MSD) and Needville ISD. The state’s only municipal school district, Stafford MSD, touted as “the best little school district in Texas,” services 3,600 students from Harris and Fort Bend counties. The district’s campuses include an Early Childhood Center, an elementary, middle and high school, a STEM Magnet Academy, the Early College and Career High School and an Alternative Education Center. The district’s $2.8 million STEM Magnet Academy, the first and only one in Fort Bend, opened in 2021, and in its inaugural year, received an “A” rating and 7 distinction designations from TEA.

With an elementary, junior high, middle and high school, Needville ISD is home of the Fighting Blue Jays in Needville, Texas. With enrollment of 3,500, the district boasts an “A” rating from TEA.

The largest district in the county, Fort Bend ISD is Texas’ eighth largest and one of the most diverse districts in the nation, with families who speak more than 100 languages and dialects.

Private Schools

There’s no shortage of private school options in Fort Bend from faith-based institutions to college preparatory academies to educational facilities for children with differing levels of abilities.

ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL AND CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

Sugar Land’s St. Laurence Catholic School and Cornerstone Christian Academy feature small class sizes, well-rounded academics and spiritual training for children pre-school thru middle school. Founded in 1992, St. Laurence has become one of the largest pre-K thru 8th grade schools in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The school has been awarded the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence twice and focuses on a Catholic education based on strong academics, development of social skills and a commitment to community service.

Cornerstone Christian Academy’s Christ-centered philosophy is helping students grow spiritually, academically, physically and socially. The school has dual accreditation by Cognia and the National Christian School Association. The academy’s guiding principles include laying the foundation for a strong academic performance based on Christian teachings and principals.

LOGOS PREPARATORY ACADEMY

A University-Model® school blending traditional public and private schools in a college preparatory education environment, Logos Preparatory Academy feature two Sugar Land campuses, one for kindergarten thru second grade and one for third thru twelfth grade. With alternate days on campus, each grade level spends two to three days in the classroom with alternate days spent at home with parents monitoring student progress. Logos Prep curriculum focuses on promoting academic excellence, critical thinking and the imparting of a Biblical worldview.

KnILE PREP ACADEMY

Helping students “find their unique learning style or talent and reach their full potential” is the guiding principle behind KnILE Prep Academy, according to founder and Head of School Betsy de Vega. A first through twelfth grade, self-paced private school, KnILE Prep Academy focuses on helping students develop a firm foundation in their individual learning strategies and techniques. “Every student can thrive in the right learning environment,” said de Vega. “At KnILE, we see success because we test, target and tailor educational solutions for each student.”

HOUSTON FOCUS ACADEMY

A full-time school dedicated to teaching “quirky” individuals – Houston Focus Academy’s term for individuals with ADHD, Aspergers, anxiety, depression, high-functioning autism and gifted and talented – the Sugar Land-based academy teaches grades third through college level. Their focus? Empowering “quirky” youth and young adults to become successful, independent members of society through academic, life and social education, vocational training and family support.

TUTORING CLUB OF MISSOURI CITY

Serving students from all backgrounds and academic abilities from pre-K thru twelfth grade is the Tutoring Club of Missouri City. By creating a customized plan for each student, the Tutoring Club of Missouri City provides year-round tutoring in all high school subjects and SAT/ACT test prep, as well as guidance in navigating the college applications process. They specialize in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Algebra, Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, Honors and AP English, and AP US History.

Every student can thrive in the right learning environment. At KnILE, we see success because we test, target and tailor educational solutions for each student.

—Betsy de Vega, Founder & Head of School KnILE Prep Academy

Advanced Education

For those seeking a college or university level education, Fort Bend is home to major academic institutions and professional academies, as well as a renowned technical college.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

The University of Houston’s (UH) Sugar Land campus offers undergraduate, masters and graduate degrees in multiple fields, as well as is home to the University’s College of Nursing. Located in a park-like setting, the campus features four buildings, including the University Branch Library and a shared building in partnership with Wharton County Junior College. The annual enrollment at UH Sugar Land is traditionally around 3,300 students.

NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

A private, non-profit, full-service college, North American University offers baccalaureate degree programs in the following fields of study: Business Administration, Computer Science, Education and Criminal Justice. Additionally, the University offers Master’s Programs in several areas offers all in a student-centered learning environment where every student is valued and provided with opportunities to grow. A small college with enrollment of less than 400 undergraduate students, the campus is located in South Houston adjacent to Fort Bend County.

HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SOUTHWEST

Part of the Houston Community College (HCC) System, HCC Southwest Stafford and Missouri City campuses provide degree and certificate programs, continuing and adult education classes and dual-credit programs. Home to the HCC Digital and Information Technology Center of Excellence, the campus provides training and industry credentials in a broad range of disciplines in IT, including artificial intelligence, computer programming, cybersecurity, digital gaming and simulation, and other emerging technologies. It is also home to an Honors’ College for academically gifted students and the Vocational Advancement Skills Training (VAST) Academy for differently abled persons.

WHARTON COUNTY JUNIOR COLLEGE

With two campuses in Fort Bend, Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) offers both academic and vocational programs. The Associate of Arts program is for students pursuing a fouryear baccalaureate degree from a university, and the Associate of Applied Science program is an occupationally-oriented degree to prepare students for a particular occupation upon completion. Campuses are conveniently located in Sugar Land and Richmond.

TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

With over 50 programs and degrees, the stateof-the-art Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Rosenberg offers educational opportunities for students to earn professional licensure or certification within the state of Texas. From industries including engineering and manufacturing to construction and maintenance to allied health, TSTC provides not only training and certification, but placement services as well post-graduation.

VIJAY COMPUTER ACADEMY

For the past 33 years, Vijay Computer Academy has provided IT education and training to individuals from ages 9 to 90, small businesses, corporations, nonprofits, government agencies and educational institutions. Through live, instructor-led online bootcamp and certification courses, students can train for IT jobs in 10 to 28 weeks. The academy also offers career and workforce development and corporate and community empowerment.

ADULT EDUCATION

University degrees aren’t the only options for adults seeking to expand their skills in Fort Bend.

GOLDMAN SACHS 10,000 SMALL BUSINESSES

A program specifically designed for small businesses, participants in Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses will gain practical skills that can immediately be put into action. The program operates in partnership at Houston Community College Alief Hayes Campus, and it is a condensed program that helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to practical business education, access to capital, and a supportive network of advisors and peers.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

The mission of the nonprofit Literacy Council of Fort Bend County is to improve community, family and professional lives through adult literacy education. Their mission is achieved by providing curriculum-based programs, including Basic Literacy, English as a Second Language, High School Equivalency Preparation, United States Citizenship and Basic Computer Skills at six locations throughout Fort Bend. Program fees are based on the student’s ability to pay.