Choosing SBISD Schools

The Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) has a rich and vibrant history that has shaped it into the award-winning public school system it is today. Established in 1946, SBISD’s mission is to inspire minds and shape lives through a commitment to providing high-quality education. With roughly 44 square miles of beautiful, wooded suburbs and lively retail and business districts located west of downtown Houston, SBISD boasts an enrollment of 33,649 students from all over the world. The district celebrates diversity with a student body consisting of 57 percent Hispanic, 27 percent White, 7 percent Asian, 6 percent African American, and 3 percent American Indian or two or more ethnicities.

About 200,000 District residents live in this region of west Houston and in the incorporated villages of Bunker Hill, Hedwig, Hilshire, Hunters Creek, Piney Point and Spring Valley. Many families have lived in the Memorial/Spring Branch area all their lives, while others are new to the area or are relocating for career reasons. Others choose to return to SBISD because it ranks high quality education as a top priority for Every Child. In addition, the district offers taxpayers every tax exemption allowed by Texas law, which results in lower school taxes for homeowners.

SBISD believes in preparing students to achieve success through its vision, known as Spring Branch T-2-4. With a laser focus on the priorities of literacy, numeracy, student supports, and Career and Technical Education (CTE), made possible by autonomy gained from a District of Innovation status and the outstanding leadership of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jennifer Blaine, the district offers an expansive array of advanced placement and honors courses, as well as specialized programs in areas such as Dual Language, IB, STEM, the arts, and CTE.

Learn more about

• Our T-2-4 Goal
• T-2-4 College & Career Planning
• Our Priorities and the State of our Schools

SBISD has earned a well-deserved reputation as a leading public school district, thanks to the tireless dedication and hard work of its educators, administrators, and students. This hard work has resulted in numerous awards and accolades that have firmly cemented SBISD's place as a top performer including, recognition as a 2023 HEB Excellence in Education Large District Finalist. Additionally, one campus received the coveted Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion School title that same year. 

The district continues to set the bar for academic excellence and post-secondary readiness with outstanding graduation and college acceptance rates. Student scores surpass both state and national averages in college-readiness indicators. The Class of 2023's mean SAT score of 1021 exceeded the state average, placing these students on a clear path towards success. Additionally, the district is proud of 5,693 AP course exams taken by 2,865 students in the spring of 2023. Impressive results showed that 62% of scored exams received a 3 or higher.

The Class of 2023 was awarded $37 million in student scholarships and 77 students were honored by the College Board National Recognition Programs. Furthermore, in 2023, there was a 140% increase in the number of students who obtained industry recognized CTE certifications.



SBISD is home to twenty-five elementary schools, seven traditional middle schools, and four traditional high schools, along with an array of program options. Among these options are two district charter programs including Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS), a middle and high school campus offering the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) academic program. Also available are the Academy of Choiceand the Cornerstone Academy, a middle school with almost two decades of excellence. Whatever your educational aspirations, the district has a school or program choice to fit your family’s education plan.

Since its establishment in 2013, the Spring Branch Academic Institute (SBAI) has become a home for students in kindergarten through 12th grade who have been identified and tested as highly gifted. This exceptional program is a first of its kind in the Houston region and is now offered at Thornwood Elementary School, Spring Forest Middle School, and Stratford High School.

In addition, Cedar Brook, Pine Shadows, and Sherwood elementary schools offer dual language programs for students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. Several secondary schools in the district also provide dual language courses.

To ensure the academic success of the youngest members of the community, the district offers both full-day prekindergarten for in-district 4-year-old students and half-day prekindergarten for qualifying, in-district 3-year-old students. Five Schools for Early Learning have been designed specifically to cater to prekindergarten classes, and some elementary schools also offer prekindergarten classes. State-eligible students attend prekindergarten at no cost, while others can attend at a competitive monthly tuition fee.

• SBISD Schools

Our two district charter schools are Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS) a combined middle and high school campus offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) academic program, and Cornerstone Academy, an academically rigorous middle school charter.

Spring Branch Academic Institute, a first in the Houston region, serves students identified and tested as highly gifted. 

Dual Language Programs from prekindergarten through fifth grade are offered at Cedar Brook Elementary, Pine Shadows and Sherwood elementary schools. Dual language programs are also offered at several district secondary schools. 

• Learn more about SBISD's Choice Programming

SBISD provides full-day prekindergarten for all in-district students. Five separate Schools for Early Learning are designed especially for 4-year-olds and prekindergarten classes are also offered at several elementary schools. Students who meet state eligibility requirements attend prekindergarten at no cost while others attend at low comparable monthly cost. A pre-K 3 program was added in 2017-18.

• Prekindergarten & Early Childhood programs
• Early Childhood Schools

SBISD provides students with the best possible opportunities for growth and success. This success would not be possible without the support of the Spring Branch community.

In November 2017, Spring Branch voters made history by approving the largest bond in district history. The $898.4 million 2017 Bond Program rebuilds nine of the district’s oldest elementary schools and one middle school, upgrades security measures across the district, revamps athletic facilities, replaces outdated equipment in music and CTE classrooms, and upgrades the aging fleet of buses. In May 2022, Spring Branch voters once again showed their commitment to the future of the district by approving a $381.6 million bond program. The 2022 Bond Program will fund improvements, including the reconstruction of the district’s central CTE facility, the Guthrie Center, as well as major enhancements to the CTE facilities at Guthrie's Agricultural Science Center and numerous schools throughout the district. 

Additionally, the 2022 Bond will address identified district facility needs, including additional classrooms at Valley Oaks Elementary, new building detention and code requirements after Hurricane Harvey, and lifecycle replacements of audio-visual (A/V) instructional tools districtwide. The bond will also replace devices for secondary students and devices for teachers districtwide.

With over 12,000 enthusiastic volunteers and hundreds of superlative partners, SBISD also benefits from the investment made in time and talent by our community members. In 2023, volunteer participation reached unparalleled heights, proving that SBISD’s commitment to Collective Greatnessand Every Child is stronger than ever. From tutoring and mentoring to classroom supports, our volunteers have truly gone above and beyond to make a positive difference in the lives of our students. 

SBISD is also home to a valuable, community-donated collection of over 600 pieces of artwork and artifacts from all over the world at the privately run and financed Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum, located on the Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS). The collection is valued at over $2 million. 

As a prestigious institution, SBISD has received numerous awards and accolades, including the esteemed Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 31 consecutive years. Additionally, in 2022, two campuses were recognized as Model Professional Learning Communities at Work honorees. For the past three years, SBISD art educators have also been recognized as a District of Distinction for leadership in promoting visual arts within the district and the community by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA). These awards exemplify the district's steadfast dedication to students and the community at large.