Best Public Schools in Hempstead, TX

The five schools serving the city of Hempstead, Texas, are split between two very different districts: the struggling Hempstead Independent School District (Isd) and the higher-performing Waller Independent School District (Isd), with a tiny charter school, Safe Haven, as an outlier.

The standout school in the area is H T Jones Elementary in Waller ISD, which earned a 3-star rating and ranks in the 53rd percentile statewide—far ahead of any other local school. It boasts strong bilingual programs and a favorable 14:1 student-teacher ratio. In contrast, the three schools in Hempstead ISD all rank in the bottom 17th percentile. Hempstead Elementary is a 1-star school with a high 19.8:1 student-teacher ratio and very low test scores. Hempstead High School struggles the most, with proficiency rates far below state averages in English and Biology, and a dropout rate of 2.3%. Hempstead Middle is a paradox: while its general math scores are poor, it achieves a remarkable 94-95% proficiency in Algebra I, suggesting a specialized program for advanced students. Safe Haven is a very small charter school with only 12 students and no test score data, making it impossible to compare.

A key takeaway is that district-level support appears critical. H T Jones Elementary serves a similarly high-poverty population as Hempstead ISD schools but achieves dramatically better results, likely due to Waller ISD's resources and leadership. Science scores are a systemic weakness across all schools, with proficiency rates often half the state average. For parents, the choice is clear: H T Jones Elementary is the strongest option, while Hempstead ISD schools face significant challenges, though Hempstead Middle offers a bright spot in advanced math.