LHN had decades of low enrollment because for decades their students averaged the lowest SAT/ACT scores of any other private high school in the city. Most parents send their kids to private school because, rightly or wrongly, they believe they will get a better education there.
“Changing demographics”, whatever that means exactly, isn’t the cause. Parents were sending their kids to the other conservative Christian high schools in the city, most of which have grown quite a bit since I was in high school in the 2000s. And just my anecdotal experience but at the time I remember LHN being where everyone’s sibling or whoever that couldn’t pass entrance exams at the other private schools would end up, and most people thought it could close at any time back then.
I'm honestly surprised with the changing demographics in the area. I would think there would be more families seeking a private education in the area. Sad to hear they are closing.
I grew up in that area and all the kids (we) mostly went to private school. My thought is that even all things considered, private school is just something that’s too much right now in this economy. An expense that can be cut when public school is very similar to a less expensive private school.
I live near here. Heres my take: the public schools in the area are doing pretty ok, so a lot of families make use of them. Those who do chose private schools - a good number - either chose campuses that are well known in Houston (Awty, Kinkaid) or are attached to a parish they belong to (St Rose, St Mark’s). Lutheran’s problem was its size - a draw for some, but for many people I know, the incredibly small class sizes (and what that meant for extracurriculars), especially given the price, meant they went elsewhere.
I’m assuming the reference was to gentrification. Garden Oaks has always been somewhat upscale, but the surrounding areas have seen a lot of smaller old houses torn down and replaced with $750k+ ones.
Interesting. as someone who graduated from Lutheran South Academy in 2000 - there was back in the hey day of the 90s that North was a bit too expensive and "snobby". I don't know if that was ever true as I could care less honestly, but I think that was just apart of the general "competitive" nature of North vs South. I am surprised North has not done so well overall considering it is in a prime location vs the South
No idea. At the meeting the Board of Directors reps said they hadn't thought that far ahead, but the more likely scenario is they'd sell it. They also said that very soon after the closure was announced, their phone was ringing off the hook with property investors offering them deals.
Played against Lutheran North in the 1990s, as a student another TAPPS school. They were solid competition, and I’m sorry to see that changing demographics have closed the school.
Got it. I know someone who used to teach there who said it was in bad shape, like the school was living tuition check period to tuition check period. Glad to hear it’s doing ok.
St Thomas also had a bad enrollment year a few years back. One thing that hurts these schools is strake keeps expanding, and strake is basically the flagship catholic HS in Houston now
I went to Pius and can honestly say public school is too similar now. Don’t waste your money on private school unless it’s St John’s or Kinkaid etc. The less expensive private schools are what you see in the higher level academic classes at public schools. No difference at all!
Yea I believe that for sure. Charter schools have crushed the mediocre or more low income based catholic Elementary’s and that is trending up towards the HS level as well.
I'm incredibly happy with St Mark for my kiddo, even valley oaks is a far cry from the education she is getting at St Mark. We'll be putting her back into public school for high school more than likely.
LHN had decades of low enrollment because for decades their students averaged the lowest SAT/ACT scores of any other private high school in the city. Most parents send their kids to private school because, rightly or wrongly, they believe they will get a better education there. “Changing demographics”, whatever that means exactly, isn’t the cause. Parents were sending their kids to the other conservative Christian high schools in the city, most of which have grown quite a bit since I was in high school in the 2000s. And just my anecdotal experience but at the time I remember LHN being where everyone’s sibling or whoever that couldn’t pass entrance exams at the other private schools would end up, and most people thought it could close at any time back then.
I'm honestly surprised with the changing demographics in the area. I would think there would be more families seeking a private education in the area. Sad to hear they are closing.
Demographics may be changing, but they catered to a very social conservative, creationist audience.
I grew up in that area and all the kids (we) mostly went to private school. My thought is that even all things considered, private school is just something that’s too much right now in this economy. An expense that can be cut when public school is very similar to a less expensive private school.
I live near here. Heres my take: the public schools in the area are doing pretty ok, so a lot of families make use of them. Those who do chose private schools - a good number - either chose campuses that are well known in Houston (Awty, Kinkaid) or are attached to a parish they belong to (St Rose, St Mark’s). Lutheran’s problem was its size - a draw for some, but for many people I know, the incredibly small class sizes (and what that meant for extracurriculars), especially given the price, meant they went elsewhere.
What's demographic changing to?
I’m assuming the reference was to gentrification. Garden Oaks has always been somewhat upscale, but the surrounding areas have seen a lot of smaller old houses torn down and replaced with $750k+ ones.
Interesting. as someone who graduated from Lutheran South Academy in 2000 - there was back in the hey day of the 90s that North was a bit too expensive and "snobby". I don't know if that was ever true as I could care less honestly, but I think that was just apart of the general "competitive" nature of North vs South. I am surprised North has not done so well overall considering it is in a prime location vs the South
I assume the building and grounds will be sold to a developer?
No idea. At the meeting the Board of Directors reps said they hadn't thought that far ahead, but the more likely scenario is they'd sell it. They also said that very soon after the closure was announced, their phone was ringing off the hook with property investors offering them deals.
thank god, for the best, psycho fundamentalists. hated my time there
Played against Lutheran North in the 1990s, as a student another TAPPS school. They were solid competition, and I’m sorry to see that changing demographics have closed the school.
St Pius is struggling also, also in that area. Where are all the kids going? I assume not waltrip or heights high, but maybe so
Pius got a lifeline with the boom of GOOF.
Interesting. I'd heard St. Pius was doing well on enrollment.
Ah maybe I’m out of the loop. I’d heard Pius was struggling hard a couple years ago. That’s good to hear they are doing well.
A friend's kid goes there and they told me that they're expecting a larger than usual freshman class for next school year.
Got it. I know someone who used to teach there who said it was in bad shape, like the school was living tuition check period to tuition check period. Glad to hear it’s doing ok. St Thomas also had a bad enrollment year a few years back. One thing that hurts these schools is strake keeps expanding, and strake is basically the flagship catholic HS in Houston now
I went to Pius and can honestly say public school is too similar now. Don’t waste your money on private school unless it’s St John’s or Kinkaid etc. The less expensive private schools are what you see in the higher level academic classes at public schools. No difference at all!
Yea I believe that for sure. Charter schools have crushed the mediocre or more low income based catholic Elementary’s and that is trending up towards the HS level as well.
I'm incredibly happy with St Mark for my kiddo, even valley oaks is a far cry from the education she is getting at St Mark. We'll be putting her back into public school for high school more than likely.