EDUCATION

EDUCATION

Making the Grade

Public School Districts

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

FORT BEND ISD

Established in 1959, Fort Bend ISD (FBISD) serves more than 80,000 students. The largest district in the county, it is Texas’ sixth largest and one of the most diverse districts in the nation, with families who speak more than 100 languages and dialects. FBISD currently has 83 campuses: 12 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 202122 school year, FBISD received a “B” rating, an 89, from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and an “A” rating for fiscal responsibility for maximizing the use of funds to support students.

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 schools, and 1 early childhood center located primarily in Richmond, Rosenberg, Fulshear, and Beasley. In 2022, the District again received an A-rating from TEA and passed a bond valued at $1.5 billion, which includes a new CTE building. LCISD is one of the fastest-growing schools in the state of Texas, with more than 25 new campuses projected to open over the next decade.

LCISD also offers a Gold Card Club membership for residents over 65 that provides free admission to most Lamar Consolidated ISD cultural events such as plays, musicals, and concerts in all district schools (except for fund-raising events) and free admission to regular season LCISD athletic events (excluding playoffs).

STAFFORD MUNICIPAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND NEEDVILLE ISD

The two smaller public-school districts in Fort Bend County 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, middle (4-6th grade), junior high (7-8th grade), and high school, Needville ISD is home to the Fighting Blue Jays. Needville ISD encompasses 200 square miles and is the first consolidated district in Fort Bend County. It has a total enrollment of 3,500 and boasts an “A” rating from TEA.

Private Schools

For the 2024 school year, there are 85 private schools serving 10,250 students in Fort Bend County, TX. 6% of all K-12 students in Fort Bend County, TX are educated in private schools. There are many private school options in Fort Bend including, faith-based institutions (39% of private schools in FB), college preparatory academies, and educational facilities for children with differing levels of abilities.

ST. THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL –SUGAR LAND

St Theresa’s is dedicated to a Classical education, which means a Liberal Arts education, a literary approach to learning marked by the Great Books tradition, extensive Music education, a Latin-centered curriculum, an engaging Art instruction program for all grades, and physical education and sports to round out educating mind, heart, and body of its Pre K-8th grade students.

MONTESSORI HOUSE FOR CHILDREN AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – RICHMOND

Established in 2006, Montessori House is family-owned and operated school providing a Montessori education from toddler through 6th grade. The goal behind their programs is to cultivate joyful, self-motivated, and confident learners. As an AMS Verified School, they hope to create future leaders through emotional, social, ethical, and academic education that fosters curiosity and independence.

MONTESSORI HERITAGE – RICHMOND

The preschool and early education center follow the Montessori method of teaching, designed to cater to the individual education and personal needs of every child. It provides mixed-age classrooms, hands-on learning, as well as enrichment programs that are designed to complement the other aspects of a child’s education. Their STEM-focused activities work in tandem with the Montessori curriculum and create a unique environment that fosters creativity, education, and a deep love of learning in every child.

CYGA ACADEMY – SUGAR LAND

CYGA Academy is a unique co-ed, private, international school serving students from 12 months to 12th grade. They create a customized and project-based learning experience through community collaboration, cognitive leveraging, and flexible scheduling. Their approach focusses on the individual needs of each student by learning contextualized from rich and diverse experiences to develop their talents and reach their greatest potential.

LOGOS PREPARATORY ACADEMY –SUGAR LAND

A University-Model® school blending traditional public and private schools in a college preparatory education environment, Logos Preparatory Academy has two Sugar Land campuses, one for kindergarten through second grade and one for third through 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.

ST. LAURENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOLSUGAR LAND

Founded in 1992, St. Laurence has become one of the largest pre-K through 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, educating the whole Christian person in body, mind, and spirit.

CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMYSUGAR LAND

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 principles.

FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY SUGAR LAND

Fort Bend Christian Academy exists to glorify God through excellence in college-preparatory Christian education. FBCA is a pre-k through grade 12 school located on a 35-acre campus in the heart of Sugar Land, one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas. As an interdenominational school, FBCA welcomes a diverse population of students who attend more than 100 area churches.

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 22 undergraduate and graduate degrees for around 3,700 students. It’s also 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. In 2023, they broke ground on a $65 million technology building. The three-floor, approximately 75,000-square-foot building will be part of the UH Cullen College of Engineering-Technology Division.

NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

A private, non-profit, full-service college serving approximately 821 students, North American University offers baccalaureate degree programs in the following fields of study: Business Administration, Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, and Criminal Justice. Additionally, the University offers master’s programs in several areas in a student-centered learning environment, where every student is valued and provided with opportunities to grow. The campus is 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 as well as 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 (Sugar Land and Richmond), Wharton County Junior College (WCJC) offers both academic and vocational programs. The Associate of Arts program is for students pursuing a four-year baccalaureate degree from a university, and the Associate of Applied Science program is an occupationally oriented degree program.

TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE

With more than 40 programs and degrees, the state-of-the-art Texas State Technical College (TSTC) in Rosenberg offers educational opportunities for students to earn professional licensure or certification. From industries including engineering and manufacturing to construction and maintenance to allied health, TSTC also offers placement services post-graduation.

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 gain practical skills for immediate action. The program operates in partnership with the Houston Community College Alief Hayes Campus. The condensed program helps entrepreneurs create jobs and economic opportunity by providing greater access to practical business education, capital, and a supportive network of advisors and peers.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

The mission of the non-profit Literacy Council of Fort Bend County is to improve community, family, and professional lives through adult literacy education. Their mission is to provide 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.