The Banff School

Our mission is to educate the whole child by providing a safe, nurturing, and academically challenging environment for each student to realize his or her fullest potential.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TX School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 163 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,500
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Banff School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Texas for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Year Founded
1969
Summer School Offered
Yes

Student Body

Total Students
163 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
46%
State avg.: 41%
Students by Grade
The Banff School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
25 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
80%
Average Class Size
14 students
Number of AP Courses
6 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Calculus, Computer Science, Economics, English IV, Government, Physics, Spanish IV
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Formal
Navy/Khaki pants/skirt and school polo or dress shirt

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Tuition ranges from $3850 to $14,500 depending on grade-level.
% on Financial Aid
20%
Acceptance Rate
80%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Marissa Binyon

Sports

Total Sports Offered
3 sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
7 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Aviation Club, International Club, International Thespian Society, Math Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook

School Notes

What makes Banff different?
  • On average, we have 14 students or fewer per class. Our teachers know our students and their families personally and are able to adjust instructional styles to meet the needs of our students.
  • We endeavor to create a school climate where students feel welcome, accepted, and free to explore in a secure learning environment.
  • Our curriculum is rigorous and college preparatory at all levels. Our teachers do not simply introduce a concept and hope that students will understand it. Our teachers teach to mastery.
  • At the Upper School level, students have the option of taking the core academic courses as honors, AP, or Dual Credit. When they leave us for college, we know they are prepared because they are doing college level work while still at Banff.
  • We evaluate student achievement and mastery of objectives in the fall, winter, and spring using the Measures of Academic Progress. This test provides national norms and percentiles for each student, but more importantly it allows teachers to track individual progress across the school year.
  • Banff students are encouraged to balance academic pursuits with the development of skills in the visual and performing arts. Students, depending upon their grade level, study piano, art, and musical theater as part of the regular curriculum.
  • Performances and art exhibitions are scheduled regularly throughout the school year and align with units of study within the academic curriculum.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Banff School cost?
The Banff School's tuition is approximately $10,500 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Banff School?
The acceptance rate of The Banff School is 80%, which is lower than the national average of 85%.
What sports does The Banff School offer?
The Banff School offers 3 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Track and Field and Volleyball.
What is The Banff School's ranking?
The Banff School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Texas for: Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
When is the application deadline for The Banff School?
The application deadline for The Banff School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (13 reviews)
5  
This school deserves all 5 stars. What an amazing place for learning. The teachers and administrators are phenomenal, and we are very happy with our choice in sending our child there. You cannot go wrong with The Banff School.
- Posted by
5  
I have two children at Banff. My sons are in 1st and 4th grade. I like the curriculum at Banff because the teachers teach according to what my children need, not according to a test. The smaller teacher to student ratios let the kids do more in the classroom than they would in classes with many students. If my kids need individual help or attention, they get it. The teachers communicate with me so I always know what is going on. They put on impressive performances in the plays they do each year. And they LOVE the field trips! Mo Ranch, Washington on the Brazos, George Ranch, The Children's Museum of Science, and The Aquarium, to name a few. My 4th grader really loves the coding class he is in. He started the class in 3rd grade and I'm amazed at what he can already do. Banff if a perfect fit for my kids. They love their teachers and their friends.
- Posted by
5  
The Banff School has been a huge blessing for our daughter. She was having a difficult time with anxiety and learning to cope with ADHD. This is her second year at the school and she loves it! They have the students earn community service hours, they stress the importance of college, and they have amazing field trips. They give the students a variety of ways for them to learn and we find that it's a magnificent way to keep them interested in the subjects. We find that the school does an exceptional job at communicating with the students and family and that they are always finding new ways to have the students be more involved with their education while having fun.
- Posted by
5  
My children have been part of the Banff family for 5 years, experiencing pre-k3 to 4th grade. We love the wholistic developmental approach focused not only on academic advancements, but also social, psychological, musical, theatrical, and athletic ones. It is certainly a nurturing environment, with highly approachable staff, where security is constantly improving, adapting to changing times and population.
- Posted by
5  
Our family is at Banff for our second year. The reason I say "family" is because we feel as if we are part of a large family. We have been extremely happy with the academic challenges at Banff. Our daughter has been challenged and has gained strength in areas that she needed growth. She loves the staff and teachers at the school. She is greeted every morning by people that care about her physical and mental safety. She has played sports and been involved in theater, math club, and yearbook. We love that she is receiving a well balanced education and she is excited about being a Banff graduate.
- Posted by
5  
Really great. This is the fourth year my girls have been enrolled in the school. Each year, the teachers have been wonderful and supportive while also keeping them challenged and engaged. The curriculum is top notch and I can`t wait for them age into the coding and robotics program which starts in elementary school. The fine arts curriculum has taught them confidence and they are very proud of the shows they have been a part of. I would strongly recommend Banff to anyone who is looking for a smaller community which helps each child explore and develop and flourish. The dedicated staff here know every child by name and each one is treated with respect.
- Posted by
5  
My child has been going to Banff school now for over 3 years and I couldn`t be more pleased. The school is a blend of family atmosphere mixed with a serious desire to prepare your child for college, from greeting each and every student at the start of the day to accelerated courses to students of every grade (PreK to 12th) working together. They also work really hard at working with your child at their academic level with the goal to make them successful. Banff provides dual credit college courses and an amazing theatre program. Last, but certainly not least, Banff staff constantly works to improve the school in every area --- listening attentively to teachers, parents and students.
- Posted by
5  
This is my fourth year at Banff. I have 2 daughters, a 6 years old, and 9 years old. My experience with Banff so far has been great. My girls have made a big progress academically and are testing way above their grade level in the standardized tests (MAP test). The teachers provide a loving and nurturing environment. They keep close communication with the parents and seem to genuinely care for each student. The administration has an open door policy and is always open to suggestions. Classrooms are relatively small, allowing students to get the personalized attention they need from their teachers.
- Posted by
5  
This is our third year at the Banff and we love it. We chose the Banff due to the differentiation of work, the diversity of the students, the small class size, and the accreditation. Additionally, it offers preschool through 12th grade with dual credit. The atmosphere is very positive. The teachers are talented, loving, and dedicated. The Banff has an impressive fine arts department. Upper elementary school and middle school students also take a robotics class to learn coding and additional math. My son joined the math clubs and competed in the Scripps spelling bee at the school. Through the math clubs and robotics class, he also participated in AMC 8, AMC 10, and Math Counts competitions. My daughter enjoys her art lessons after school. The students are kind and accepting. A speech therapist is on campus to meet with students during the day if needed. I searched for 2 years prior to enrolling my kids in any school. The staff are flexible to ensure that the students' individual needs are met. I have never come across another school like the Banff!
- Posted by
5  
I am proud to teach at Banff, where I am able to teach to each of my students' individual needs, not to a test. Every day I look forward to teaching at Banff. The students are kind, eager to learn, and it is truly amazing watching them grow and learn. I am also a parent. My two sons are very happy at Banff. I can't imagine them being anywhere else. They feel like they belong there. And that makes a mom feel great!
- Posted by
5  
My son has attended this school for over two academic years. This was the best decision I made as a parent in advancing my child's social and academic development. The school's administrators and teachers are highly engaged and invested in your child's education. The founder, principal and teachers are all very present and have an open door policy when it comes to discussing concerns or suggestions. Most importantly, everyone at this school cares and deeply understands the purpose and patience it takes to educate children as a whole. They know each and every child personally and I am very grateful for this place.
- Posted by
5  
My son who is in 12th was previously attending public school and had lost his love for learning. He dreaded going to school each day and complained of bullying. To make matters worse, his district would not make accommodations for his ADHD. I put him in Banff at the beginning of his 11th grade year. I saw a huge and quick turnaround. I no longer had to wake him up for school; he woke up early. He became excited about his classes and the course work. When I asked him who his favorite teacher was, he named several of his teachers. He excitedly shared information on things he was learning in class. To my amazement, he made all A's last year, and with no ADHD accommodations. The small class size, engaging curriculum, and teachers who know how to teach to a variety of learning styles was all he needed. I could kick myself for not putting him in Banff earlier. I think his earlier school years would have been much more enjoyable and rewarding.
- Posted by
5  
Enrolled my daughter in this school in 2.5 years ago, considered several other schools before we decided on this school. 2.5 years later, we are still very pleased with this school. It has a open door policy so we can talk to teachers and the school management anytime we have concerns. The teachers are caring and always willing to give extra attention to students.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked TX School
  • Grades: Prekindergarten-12
  • Enrollment: 163 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $10,500
  • Acceptance rate: 80%
  • Average class size: 14 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Houston, TX is $16,213 for elementary schools and $18,370 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Houston, TX is 81% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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