2023 Best Schools with Gifted and Talented Programs in Texas

• Dallas, TX•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  75 reviews

Parent: I have friends who are attending various private and public schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from grades 5 on through 12. In sitting down with the other dads it is undoubtedly true that no school has done more to prepare post the outbreak of the pandemic then St Mark’s. Not only their children but their administration and teachers are out of this world! Not only did the school literally review replace hundreds of things across the campus, they’ve also implemented a fantastic screening program, testing program, and communications program for SARS-COVID19. I know that when selecting schools grades, scores and college admissions are the number one priority. I never thought I would pick a school based upon their ability to handle a medical global outbreak. The school has literally blown us away! We are thankful that our son is there and hope that other schools can use them as a benchmark going into the winter of the pandemic.... Read 75 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 911

• Student-teacher ratio 9:1

• Dallas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  193 reviews

Junior: I highly recommend applying to TAG if you are in DISD. This school prepares you for college. Most of the teachers are user-friendly and willing to accommodate you as long as you communicate; work can pile up at times, and it can get challenging to juggle it all, but you can definitely power through. I've had a positive experience so far, and I am glad I came here!... Read 193 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 464

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Austin Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  504 reviews

Junior: My experience here was absolutely fantastic!! If you are on the fence at all about applying, definitely give it a shot. We have the best math, science, english, and social studies programs in the city, and they aren’t going anywhere soon. The football is kind of lacking, but our swimming, water polo, volleyball, and track/XC teams are stupendous. As with most schools in AISD we don’t have all the resources in the world because of recapture and the state, but we definitely make the most of what we have, the food is better than I expected for a high school, and our facilities are getting better year on year. Our college counselors (another perk of LASA) are a highlight of the school and help everyone (juniors and seniors) with college applications. Also, I cannot speak more highly of the elective diversity that we have. We have something for everyone, and I suggest looking through the course guide on the website. However, the amount of homework on that guide is greatly overstated. Apply... Read 504 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,254

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Dallas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  216 reviews

Senior: The academic program truly helps students be prepared for college. As part of the School of Science and Engineering's accelerated math track, I took Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and AP Calculus AB as part of a double-block schedule during my freshman year. I also took SuperLab, a unique science track offered during Junior Year consisting of AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Chemistry, and a hands-on Lab & Experimental Design course. The teachers are approachable and very dedicated to their students' education. Almost all of the teachers offer tutoring hours before and/or after school and sponsor extracurricular activities. In addition, the school culture is unique compared to most other schools. Students genuinely care about their learning and academic opportunities, so this produces a cooperative and academics-driven culture. While social events have been lacking in previous years, the PTSA has started sponsoring monthly school-wide social events, bringing the community closer together.... Read 216 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 513

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  343 reviews

Senior: Carnegie Vanguard High School is a rigorous high school that provides a great learning and challenging learning environment with the addition of Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Courses. Although the learning environment can be challenging, students at Carnegie create an enjoyable inclusive environment, whether it be from freshmen to seniors; everyone gets to enjoy this positive environment. Students can also enjoy various clubs that are started by teachers, like Chess Club, or by students like the Mahjong Club. These clubs offer great diversity, and promote a sense a inclusion to all students, as everyone is invited. In all, Carnegie Vanguard High has a very supportive environment were students can feel welcome and included, the additional support from everyone, not only students, and the rigorous academic learning a student needs to be successful.... Read 343 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 925

• Student-teacher ratio 24:1

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  664 reviews

Freshman: Debakey High School for Health Professions is a public high school located in the med center of Houston. This school is very academically rigourous but it helps you very much by preparing you for college. This school is especially good for student who plan to pursue a career in the medical field. The students here are very nice and will help you a lot. The only problem is that there aren't many extra curriculars. And some teachers don't teach very well. So I would the school to expand it extra curriculars and change it teacher policy so that it helps the students a little more. However, the school does have many amazing teachers who will help you suceede in life. Another problem some students expierence is too much homework and projects which disrupt day-to-day life. This causes them to not have any time left over for themselves and rather causes them to be depressed. In this case, I would suggest the student to switch out to another school very quickly.... Read 664 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 939

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  515 reviews

Alum: I would give this school 4.5 stars, but I'm going to lower it by one point. This school was incredible at preparation. College was easier than many of the classes and workload I was given at Westlake. That being said, if you want to do a variety of activities, you will be out of luck. Westlake is excellent for kids with a focus. If you want to be a track star, choir kid, theatre kid, band kid, you can definitely find and explore your niche to the highest potential! That being said, if you are looking for a school where you can do everything, that is not possible here. I did AP classes and just theatre by the end. I was pursuing musical theatre, and that really wasn't available to me. I would have had to only do choir, and their theatre training really isn't there. They are music focused, and, when I went there, have a very Christian focused program. The school is difficult, very stressful, but does prepare. There is an expectation that you will be a successful college grad.... Read 515 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,827

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Carroll Independent School District, TX•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  492 reviews

Senior: One of the best School District in Texas. One mascot for the whole district. School pride starts in Elementary school level and continues throughout High School. Wonderful Teachers and Staff. Top rated athletes. Several AP Classes and a few duel classes. Lots of State Titles in every sport except Softball. Great Robotics, STEM,Debate, Art & Theater Department. Gifted and Talented program is excellent. Lots of Student clubs, community activities to join. Some cons would be having to shuffle between High and Senior High Schools( not all classes available at one school). Not enough parking spaces for students at Senior High. Very competitive school district both academically and athletically. Which adds a lot of pressure and stress on the students. Bullying issues aren’t taken seriously. Victims told to walk away or ignored them. No really punishment for the bullies. Hopefully that will change soon.... Read 492 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,349

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Round Rock Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  659 reviews

Senior: Westwood is an institution that sets students up for success in higher education. The majority of teachers are extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and have the teaching of advanced courses down to a tee. But, the environment of Westwood can be overwhelming. Students' competitive attitudes can be genuinely disheartening and distracting- it's not easy on your mental health to go here. It is overcrowded and constantly undergoing construction that makes just entering a hassle. The administration is prone to communicating poorly about rule changes, then lecturing the student population. In general, this is a very safe place with no fights and few emergencies, lots of successes, but lots of stressors.... Read 659 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,852

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  1,278 reviews

Senior: Seven Lakes Highschool is a wonderful school to go to! The Fine Art Department is great in every category. The Orchestra does amazing, the band does amazing, the choir does amazing, the theater department is super cool! It's great to express yourself there. The education is good too. Most teachers are good and nice. Some teachers are absolutely amazing and will go beyond. The athletic department does great except in football but we'll get there one day. The soccer team is really good. There is definitely a group for anyone to join in Seven Lakes along side with the many clubs it has to offers.... Read 1,278 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,678

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  461 reviews

Niche User: I only went to Vandegrift for about 2 months and then had to move somewhere else and I can say I've missed it terribly. All my friends were there and the environment and overall aura was something that made my life 100x better. The athletics program is amazing and extremely competitive which makes every athlete better. It's a big school so there's a place for everyone! There's amazing school spirit at sport events and on Friday nights the football stadium would be packed for the game. Vandegrift is the overall package with amazing athletics, academics and it's a place where I've found my closest friends! There's not a single bad thing I can say about this school. You also have so many opportunities to pursue anything you want with a bunch of classes and courses that are available for any students interest. I also had a lot of freedom, being able to order food to school and not have to eat in the cafeteria. It really is a place to go to school and have that high school experience.... Read 461 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,811

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Plano Independent School District, TX•

• 9-10

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  93 reviews

Senior: Jasper is quite the unique school with a widely diverse student population! The school pushes academics and the arts a lot, making it an overall academically balanced school environment! The teachers here are really connected with students and put a lot of effort into making sure students are ready for college and the workplace afterward! The schedule is also unique with the implementation of a block lunch system encouraging students to complete homework, attend tutorials, and catch up with teachers and friends! One of my favorite school traditions is no-homework Thursdays where literally no homework is due on Friday, encouraging students to support the sports teams as well as enjoy their high school experience!... Read 93 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,344

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Fort Bend Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  825 reviews

Sophomore: I love Clements High School and enjoyed my freshman year a lot. There are so many amazing things about the school including its kind and caring teachers and administration and the thoughtful students. The facilities like the gyms, tennis courts, commons, and football field are all very well taken care of. The school spirit of everyone on campus is outstanding! One of the only negatives that come to mind is the pressure on the students with their academics. The environment, though cheerful with all the friendships, is very competitive. I would wish that homework would not be as intense, or scheduling for tests and quizzes could be communicated between departments so that there isn't the pressure of studying for three tests that fall all on the same day. However, the rigorous courses make sure that students learn how to manage their time wisely and how to quickly absorb new information while being organized.... Read 825 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,496

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  375 reviews

Sophomore: Tompkins high school is definitely considered to be one of the more competitive public schools within the KatyISD district. Our top 10 students typically have GPA's with 4.8 and above; however, do not fret! Although incredibly competitive, other high schools are just as competitive and this school will give you the best high school experience there is! Being an upcoming junior, I have met some amazing students and teachers along the way who are just wonderful and have taught me so many things that would be beneficial towards me in my future classes or even my future in general.... Read 375 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,484

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• South Texas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  347 reviews

Alum: Science Academy was a great school in terms of education quality and classmates. We were also given direct access to advanced equipment in the engineering lab such as 3D Printers, Acrylic Printing Machines, Multiple Cutting Devices, and more- all for free! I am also very fond of the environment I was immersed in. Science Academy is a very competitive school. Its environment only motivated me to do better in my classes. The only thing that kept me from giving this rating a 5 stars was the sudden shift in rules that dampened my senior year. Administration changed a lot of the long term traditions that I anticipating enjoying when I was a freshman and definitely looked forward to as a senior such as the Renfest trip, Collaboration on Fridays, and being able to enjoy lunches with my Med High friends. I hope that the school will be able to recover soon because I want people to enjoy high school as I did as a freshman.... Read 347 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 794

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Coppell Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  860 reviews

Freshman: As a freshman at Coppell High School, I am very pleased to say that the administration has put in a lot of thought into the school culture, inclusivity, and safety. With programs like our Student Council, National Honor Society, and LEO Club among many others, our school feels more diverse and special. Extracurriculars are also a big part of what makes CHS a great place to be! We have amazing athletes, musicians, artists, actors, singers, debaters and so much more! Although I’ve only been here for less than a year, I can confidently say that CHS is wonderful!... Read 860 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,789

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Frisco Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  115 reviews

Freshman: From Kindergarten onward, I have always felt connected to my classmates. Reedy fosters those connections and relationships, whether that be with a coach or a lunch lady. I have learned so many valuable life skills along with my education. Additionally, the teachers express a sense of understanding toward the students. I love how the school is run and the sense of belonging that comes with it!... Read 115 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,100

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Highland Park Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  180 reviews

Junior: I am a junior at HP and I love it! The culture can be a little closed-minded, but it’s far better than Southlake or a private school. I’ve been to 2 other top private schools in Dallas and HP is so much better. The administration is pretty nice and the teachers are all very qualified and intelligent. My only bad experiences stem from the academic pressure, but to be honest that’s really not HP’s issue, I just take a lot of hard classes. It’s a wonderful school and I love it!... Read 180 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,212

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Roanoke, TX•

• Private School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: A wonderful school. The teachers are fantastic and truly care about their students. The school will push you to exceed academically while given support to succeed in the school's rigorous coursework. There's no compromise between rigor and fun: teachers write curriculums that make every day interesting. The students are even better. The hallways are filled with deep conversations on the merits of economic systems to recent discoveries, and the day's news. Every class is small, and you get to know your peers well as you discuss topics in depth. Whether you want to explore software engineering, rock music, or anything in-between, E.A. Young Academy will help you explore your passions and connect you with opportunities. The administration is kind and listens to students and parents. The class selection is wonderful. Overall, Young is a wonderful choice for any student excited by learning.... Read 8 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 92

• Student-teacher ratio 7:1

• Frisco Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  563 reviews

Senior: I think there were many teachers that cared about giving students the best learning experience possible. They seemed to be involved with students are their lives. Other teachers, on the other hand, didn't get involved and acted as if they didn't want to be present. While I understand some people aren't necessarily thrilled bout their jobs, I wish I felt more passion from some staff members instead of the grimace of pain. Counselors didn't get involved unless they were approached first, which isn't encouraging to students. Overall, my experience was okay.... Read 563 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,002

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  713 reviews

Senior: This school values education as its highest priority. You would think that was obvious but from my experience of moving multiple times, I've seen that schools value extracurriculars more than their children's future lives. This school has prepared me for life and has set me on the right course for college. They provided me a 4-year engineering course, a vast selection of AP courses, and most importantly the best teachers to teach those classes. All my AP teachers were engineers, accountants some even doctors who found a passion for teaching, and they all inspired me to pursue a higher level of education. Now don't get me wrong extracurricular were not lacking. I found my place in the marching band where I became a two-year section leader and a top band trombone player. The band is amazing, and I learned how to lead at a high level which will prepare me for my life in the future. There is no school I'd rather attend than this one, and will forever be a proud Cinco Ranch Cougar!... Read 713 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,401

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Lewisville Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.97 out of 5  905 reviews

Alum: I was able to have unforgettable experiences at this school. The majority of my experiences leaned towards the fine arts programs at Flower Mound High School, and that is perhaps where this school shines brightest. All the fine arts programs at this school have incredible staff and support from the students' parents. My activities were particularly with the band program, which has become one of the premier programs of the entire state and country among public schools, not just its peers in the D/FW Metroplex. But this level of excellence is evident throughout the rest of the school's activities as well, including athletics. Flower Mound High School is one of the most prolific high schools in UIL Athletic competition. It has a very academically competitive environment as well, and teachers are very often great at giving students access to resources they need to further their academic opportunities. Go Jags!... Read 905 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,682

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  760 reviews

Alum: Cypress Ranch was always bustling with ideas and people. It was a great school from my school district, and it showed based on the numerous awards that lined the halls. 90% of teachers actually engaged with their students and made learning enjoyable. We also had ample money to spend on various programs, which meant we got top-of the line resources. The only problems with Cypress Ranch were its lack of diversity and its classism. Cypress Ranch was surrounded by predominantly white and well-off neighborhoods. I, and some other students, came from the lower class neighborhood across the street and were barely zoned in to the school. There was a stark contrast between the behaviors and tolerance of the well-off students and the more average students. Casual racism was also prevalent there, as many students came from Conservative families and thought nothing of the problem. Cypress Ranch had its pros and its cons, but overall, it was a pleasant experience.... Read 760 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,445

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Plano Independent School District, TX•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  1,156 reviews

Alum: Even before attending Plano West, I had heard about its highly academic environment and extremely hardworking students. Once a member of the Wolfpack, I soon grew to hold the same opinion. Most of the students at Plano West are deeply dedicated to their interests, whether it be a core class such as Chemistry or History, electives such as Sports, Art or Music, and many clubs the school has to offer. As an art student I must rave especially about the Art department, as the teachers are phenomenal. They provide excellent tools, recourses, and education to their students, and genuinely wish to make connections with them in order to ensure their experience in the classroom is as inspiring and productive as possible. Many of my other teachers were also wonderful and have an obvious passion for passing down knowledge to our generation. For this reason, I do wish they were paid more. All in all, a great high school that prepares you for college while providing many academic resources.... Read 1,156 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,717

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• South Texas Independent School District, TX•

• 7-8

• •
  Rating 4.93 out of 5  76 reviews

Middle School Student: STPA is such a healthy and understanding environment to be in. All the teachers fully understand the student point of view and help all feel challenged at their own pace. The faculty and administration tries their hardest to help any student who is having difficulty or stress. One thing very noticeable is that the students above all have anyone’s back and are very friendly in various situations. Though STPA is known for its rigorous academics, their various sports and clubs thrive. Organizations like UIL, NJHS, Student Council and more are found at STPA. The sports would include volleyball, basketball, soccer, golf, kickball, football, track, and fitness clubs, like weight training. Not only does STPA offer these many sports, but the students excel! The girls volleyball team is an undefeated Texas Champion, and the track team has also placed in state competitions! I definitely recommend STPA to any incoming 7th or 8th graders who would love a welcoming, yet challenging environment.... Read 76 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 617

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1