Question, how are the public schools in Midland? I may get transferred there in 2012. Currently I live in Katy and the public schools here are great. I've read on-line that is not the case in Midland. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

For elementary, it depends on the school. I think the schools on the north side are better, but a Realtor would probably know more. For public high schools, there are 2 5A schools. You can get as much or as little education as you want at either of them.

I went to Katy Schools for all 12 years graduating in 1985, they were and are great schools.
Midland has good schools but you need to keep your kids on a GT (Gifted and Talented) or Honors track to get the best teachers most of the time. There are exceptions of course, but worked for my daughter.

Move to Greathouse (E) or Scarborough (E), Abell (JH), Lee (HS) district for Public schools. (North & West Midland)

Also consider the few private schools:
Hillander (up to JH)
Midland Classical (12 year)
Midland Christian (12 year)
St. Anns (up to JH)
Trinity (12 year)

My son (top 10%) went to Midland Christian for Elemetary, St. Anns for JH and Midland Christian for Freshman & Lee for HS. My daughter (top 1%) went to Midland Christian for Elemetary, St. Anns for 4th thru 6th, Abell for JH (7th & 8th) and Lee for Freshman & HS.

I will try to check back if you have any further questions.

[This message has been edited by LoudestWHOOP! (edited 12/14/2011 9:44a).]

Thank you. Our oldest son, 7, just missed the GT here in Katy last year and is trying again as I type. My only problem with the private schools there is athletics. Not sure he'd be pushed hard enough in football/baseball. Sounds silly, but the HC at Cinco told me to get him in some camps to further his development. The boy has instinct of a much older player and ability beyond his years.

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Thank you. Our oldest son, 7, just missed the GT here in Katy last year and is trying again as I type. My only problem with the private schools there is athletics. Not sure he'd be pushed hard enough in football/baseball. Sounds silly, but the HC at Cinco told me to get him in some camps to further his development. The boy has instinct of a much older player and ability beyond his years.

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Midland Christian was excellent for the kids as a starter school - their reading program plus us always reading to them really gave them the base I never had in reading. Also Midland Christian is probably the best Christian football school in the region if not state. We are Catholic, but had no problems with the Church of Christ guidance over the school. We moved the kids to St. Anns Catholic to save a little money. We let the kids move to the Public schools at their own pace. Honestly, if your kid just missed GT in Katy he may have a better shot in Midland. Even my daughter is VERY impressed by the Katy Schools reputation, and she has never set foot in a Katy School.

I think the dropout rates make a big effect on the Midland High Schools overall rating.
The other problem is there are basically 2 groups of kids at every school - the "I don't care I have to be here kid's" & the "I have been given a great opportunity and I will excel kid's".
I think the ratio is different from Katy to Midland and skews the overall grades.

Again, thank you for the information. Yah, Katy schools can be real cut throat both on/off the field. It has its pros/cons, but in the end, best public schools in the houston area.

I am somewhat familiar with all but Hillander school. The others I know a few tidbits of info.

Synopsis

Hillander - where doctor's and lawyer's kids go to school for Elementary. Very expensive, very good.
St. Anns - if you are Catholic and start out early in the school then the better you will do. Many kids leave for JH in Public schools. Good school using good methods. Limited sports.
Midland Christian - Very good Elementary school, 12 year school, Chapel everyday makes kids get over public speaking, strict rules, excellent 11 man football program. Very Sports oriented school.
Midland Classical - 12 year school that teaches in a Greek traditional setting. Different way of teaching, harder to switch out of once inside I would think. Very good successful newer school. No football.
Trinity - goes from 6 man to 11 man football from time to time. Very good school and expensive. Where many Christian Hillander kids finish schooling.
Public schools - If you live in the right neighborhood, do your part as a parent and keep the kids on the Honers/GT track they can excel.

Since I'm Catholic, St. Ann's would be our first choice. No matter private/public, if as a parent you aren't involved, your kid(s) will fail. I like public schools simply because you are arounf the "real" world, but as a Catholic, I do like the faith back ground as a teaching aid/tool. Again, thank you for the information, well my wife will really be thankful!

Since you are Catholic - go to St Anns Catholic church. They used to discount tuition for kids of parishioners. The only reason we did not put the kids in St Anns from the start was that we looked at Pre-school prices and never went back to look at Kindergarten or 1st to 6th. That was our mistake, we should have followed up and didn't. Make sure you live in a district for a good JH & HS if choosing St. Anns. Basically near the Northside Walmart and west. (near us)

Will do!! I will not find out until after Christmas if we are moving. People here think I'm crazy for wanting to go to Midland...

My wife was the momma bear and always stayed in contact with teachers and administrators at every school the kids attended. My wife now works at Midland ISD and contacts these same people sometimes daily for different reasons.
E-mail to schools has been a godsend from the days where a phone call or meeting was all you could do. Online grade tracking has also helped to track missed assignments.

[This message has been edited by LoudestWHOOP! (edited 12/14/2011 10:50a).]

When I moved from Katy/College Station to the dry High plains my chronic bronchitis stopped, and the people out here really are great.

Good to know about your wife. If we are moving, I may have my rib get in touch with your rib.

Not a problem, if you need my email let me know.

you in big oil?

Not really, I am an IT guy for an Oilfield Equipment manufacturer.

close enough...

Been here 18 years

We gladly accept "Big Oil" money

Loudest,

I thought that there was a discount for St. Ann's if you went to St. Stephen's as well. Is that not the case? My wife and I are thinking about enrolling our 2yr old there when he hits pre-school. I would prefer to be able to stay at St. Stephen's.

Nu awlins Ag, welcome to Midland!

[This message has been edited by WW99 (edited 12/14/2011 11:30a).]

If I remember correctly, at the time the discount was more for St. Anns than St. Stephens but this is 10 year old info from me.

I'll shut up about what I remember and post facts instead:
Looks like any Catholic parishioner gets discount:
http://stanns.edlioschool.com/ourpages/auto/2010/7/15/63309340/Scan.pdf

Thanks, Loudest. I appreciate the info.

I recently went on and ACTS retreat sponsored by St. Ann's, and really liked the people. My wife and I have considered sending our son to one of the smaller schools in the area (GC) since we both attended rural schools. However, after meeting all of the good people at St. Ann's, we are seriously considering the school. I really wish they had a high school.

[This message has been edited by WW99 (edited 12/14/2011 12:12p).]

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Nu awlins Ag, welcome to Midland!

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Not yet, but hopefully sometime next year if all goes well!!

Had two daughters graduate from Midland Christian 2001 and 2002. Good academics, and good discipline. Athletically very competitive, won state TAPPS football title again this year.
If kids are Division I type athletes, better chance at 5A Lee or Midland High, but MCS has sent many athletes to Angelo State, New Mexico, and elsewhere for football.
Midland is a good place to raise children. Welcome (if you make it).

Midland is a great place to raise kids! Been here since 89, grew up in Houston area, LOVE Midland.
My kids are at Midland Classical, great academics, basketball is the main sport, have a son on varsity now. Helped start a baseball program a couple of years ago, played our first district season this past year. Not very good, but a lot of fun.
Like you said though, if you (the parent)are involved, your kid is going to be successful.

Hillander and Trinity are the best elementary schools. Hillander typically has "cooler" kids but that can vary from class to class. Although one poster mentioned that Dr and lawyer kids go there, Hillander is similarly priced (or lower) to the other private schools. You can find the rates online.

Hillander probably has the strongest math and grammar curriculum of any elementary school in town.

Midland Christian is a good school and for elementary falls behind the first two mentioned IMO.

I have been told that Midland Classical has a particularly week high school math program that makes for a very difficult time if your kid wants to do engineering in college. If you don't care about math, there are great people there.

I personally wouldn't send my kid to a public school before junior high.

As mentioned above, the public junior highs and high schools are ok. You definitely want your kids to be in honors although even those classes are not incredibly challenging.

aggie028
My synopsis of Hillander was an assumption on my part from the few kids that my kids knew who started there. All of those kids are excellent students, one will be Valedictorian of my daughters class this coming May. And he is a doctor's kid. In my current situation I would consider all private schools, at the time 18 years ago I could only consider 1 or 2. My information was dated and based on my impressions. Thank you for giving better info.

If one has the means, I totally agree with not going public until Junior high. If not Greathouse or Scarborough Elementary would be the best target today.

BTW, one of my son's friends from St. Anns (class of ten 8th graders) was the Valedictorian at Midland High. Most if not all in my son's class went GT/AP/Honors in high school.

One other thought. Are there pee-wee football and baseball leagues? I'm sure there are but just wanted to know. Looks as if I will get an offer to transfer.

I have seen the kids around town, and stickers on cars. I know little else. There may be others.
http://www.gmflmidland.com/index.html

Baseball/Soccer fields are all around town, one I can watch from my backyard in Crestgate neighborhood.

Baseball that plays in our backyard
http://www.eteamz.com/MidlandNorthernLL/

Soccer that plays all over Midland
http://www.midlandsoccer.com/

[This message has been edited by LoudestWHOOP! (edited 12/16/2011 10:21a).]

Midland/Odessa appears to be District 3
http://www.eteamz.com/llb/finder/index.cfm?region=9&district=all&state=43

NICE!!!! Thank you!

nu awlins ag,

I was thinking about this thread yesterday and have debated about mentioning the cons of west Texas. But if I were moving to Midland, I would want someone to mention the water situation before I jumped in and bought a home. Educate yourself on the level of the area lakes. If you do have a chance to move to Midland, it may be best to try to rent for a short time. Then WHEN it starts raining again, go ahead and buy. Just my .02.