Sam Houston State University Charter School, TX

Original Research by School Decision on Sam Houston State University Charter School

Sam Houston State University Charter School is a small, university-affiliated charter serving kindergarten through sixth grade across multiple campuses in the North Houston area. The district operates under a long-term contract with Sam Houston State University that extends through the early 2030s, providing operational stability. A new campus in Klein is scheduled to open in fall of 2026, expanding the charter's geographic footprint and access.

The school enrolls a small, diverse student body drawn from across the region. Enrollment is distributed across grade bands, with larger populations in the early grades and a notably smaller sixth-grade cohort. The enrollment reflects a mix of white, Hispanic, and Black students, along with smaller populations of Asian and multiracial students. Data on the share of students receiving free or reduced-price meals and the count of English learners and students with IEPs were not available.

In reading and language arts, performance across the district is relatively strong. Third and fourth graders show solid proficiency, fifth graders perform above that mark, and sixth graders show particularly high proficiency. The reading strand is a clear area of relative strength. Mathematics proficiency is more mixed. Third and fifth graders reach solid marks, while fourth graders fall somewhat below, and the small sixth-grade cohort holds steady. Science proficiency in fifth grade is notably low. Social studies proficiency is modest across the tested grades.

Across all tested subjects, students at the approaches level (the lowest proficiency tier) make up a majority or near-majority in most areas. In reading, roughly two in five students reach the higher "meets" and "masters" levels combined. In math, that share is lower, around one in three. The school's overall proficiency index places it in the top quartile among Harris County districts, a meaningful marker given the county's size and diversity, though readers should note the index reflects an average across grade bands and subjects where performance ranges considerably.

The district reports a chronic absenteeism rate above the midpoint for Harris County, suggesting attendance patterns that a parent may want to explore further with the school. Per-pupil spending falls in the lower range for the county, which may reflect the charter model and resource allocation choices.

The charter operates as a tuition-free, open-enrollment school with no zoning boundaries, making it accessible to families across the Houston metropolitan area. The affiliation with the university may influence pedagogy or program structure, though specific details about curriculum design, student support services, or distinctive academic pathways were not available in the data provided.

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District Context

Officially reported figures, 2024-25.

Enrollment

468

Grades

KG–06

Schools

Student body

Hispanic 26%

Black 21%

White 42%

Asian 3%

Two+ 7%

Am. Indian / AK Native 0%

By economic status

Percent proficient by grade, as reported

Economically disadvantaged

Not disadvantaged

ELA

Gr 3

59%

67%

Gr 4

54%

75%

Gr 5

50%

83%

Gr 6

100%

86%

Math

Gr 3

53%

69%

Gr 4

23%

60%

Gr 5

14%

83%

Gr 6

67%

57%

Science

Gr 5

14%

43%

all_subjects_approaches

Gr ALL

77%

—

all_subjects_masters

Gr ALL

19%

—

all_subjects_meets

Gr ALL

48%

—

ela_approaches

Gr ALL

84%

—

ela_masters

Gr ALL

16%

—

ela_meets

Gr ALL

50%

—

math_approaches

Gr ALL

75%

—

math_masters

Gr ALL

25%

—

math_meets

Gr ALL

53%

—

social_studies_approaches

Gr ALL

56%

—

social_studies_masters

Gr ALL

11%

—

social_studies_meets

Gr ALL

22%

—

Schools in this District

1 schools are officially reported under this district.

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY CHARTER SCHOOL

Academic Performance

Percent of students meeting or exceeding state standards, by grade.

Mathematics

4 grades reported

65%

Grade 3

52%

Grade 4

65%

Grade 5

60%

Grade 6

English Language Arts

4 grades reported

65%

Grade 3

70%

Grade 4

74%

Grade 5

90%

Grade 6

Science

1 grade reported

35%

Grade 5

Data Currently Unavailable

Community & Housing Context
Civil Rights Data (CRDC)

This profile is derived exclusively from publicly available federal and state datasets. It may not reflect the most current information available. We encourage parents and families to supplement this data with information published directly on the school’s website, which may include more recent figures, additional programs, or updated enrollment data.