In 1836, Augustus and John Allen established a trading post on the Buffalo Bayou, a river that winds through the heart of Houston. The brothers named the area "Houston" in honor of General Sam Houston, who defeated the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. Today, the San Jacinto battle ground, San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History, and the Battleship Texas are popular tourist attractions just 20 miles east of the city. While the railroad helped boost Houston's economy, it was the discovery of oil in 1901 that sent it through the roof. Nearly as important, given the tropical Houston climate, was the invention of air conditioning that made a massive downtown development possible.
After a downsizing of the oil industry, Houston was quick to diversify. Known as the "Energy Capital of the World," Houston is home to 18 Fortune 500 companies and more than 5,000 energy related firms. For three consecutive years, Houston ranked first in the US in new business growth, according to American Business Information. A few of the area's well-known employers are NASA's Mission Control Center, the Port of Houston and the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
Educational opportunities are plentiful in the Houston area. Serving more than 210,000 students, the Houston Independent School District is the nation's seventh largest and one of Houston's largest employers. Approximately 185 elementary schools, 36 middle schools and 24 high schools serve this dynamic, highly diversified community. There are also more than 40 colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. The most well known include Rice University, Southern Methodist University, Texas Southern University and Texas A & M.
The Houston Education Portal offers a listing of all the school districts in the Houston metroplex to help assist you in finding the best educational experience for you and your family. The Houston Education Portal has contact information for each school district, district websites, and local business information. We hope this website will help assist you in choosing an area of Houston that best meets your families educational needs.
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