5451 Maple St
Houston, TX 77096

Both my boys went to Bellaire HS. They were both enrolled in the IB program. They had an excellent education and took a lot of AP classes there. The program was very rigorous and demanding . Also they were participating in the debate program and involved in political activities. Both ranked very high in the ranking of their class. One was accepted at Rice University and the other one at Harvard University. I couldn’t be happier with their performance and the quality of education that Bellaire HS offered to them.

We have been at this school 9 years between 2 kids and even Owls Nest. If you have a girl and she is a box kid, this is the school for you. If you have an out of the box kid who is a boy...stay far away. The administration is laughable. Their COVID in person is more like virtual as the older grades have 3 teachers but only one in person, the other 2 are viewed via smart board and teaching to over 100 kids at one time. Math via smartboard is pretty tough. You see no assignments until after your student takes exams and you have no idea what they are working on as there are no assignments that come home until after the fact. Discipline protocols are inconsistent and multi-part. Yet, the school failed my son on multiple occasions. In hindsight, I wish we had left for a different school while we had the chance.

If you’re thinking of sending your child to Pershing Middle School in Houston, don’t.Let me save you time, money, and your child’s sanity: this is the worst middle school experience we’ve ever had, and we only lasted one year. That one year was a masterclass in chaos, incompetence, and disregard for students and parents alike.1. Administrative DisasterThe registration process is your first red flag. Overwhelmed, unorganized, and quick to tell you what “can’t be done” simply because they don’t want to do it. The administration will smile and lie to your face about policies they clearly haven’t read or don’t care to follow. And don’t bother calling, no one answers the phone. Ever.2. Revolving Door LeadershipPrincipals change so often it’s like speed dating, except each one leaves before making any positive impact. This constant turnover creates instability for students, staff, and parents, and makes it impossible to build trust or consistency.3. Dangerous Environment for StudentsThe number of fights is alarming. It feels more like a prison yard than a place of learning, especially for Black and Brown students, who seem to be funneled straight into ISS for even the smallest infractions. The so-called “discipline” here looks more like targeted punishment than actual conflict resolution.4. A Neighborhood School No One in the Neighborhood UsesThe surrounding neighborhood is lovely, but take note: the families who live here avoid Pershing like the plague. They send their children to other schools for a reason.5. Inappropriate Conduct on CampusAs a parent, I learned to deliberately avoid the on-campus police officer after repeated inappropriate comments and harassment. That’s right, parents, not just students, are subject to unprofessional behavior.6. The Year That Broke UsOur single year at Pershing was the worst of my child’s education, and my parenting life. The stress, the instability, the blatant disregard for student welfare… it’s not something I’d wish on any family.If you’re reading this as a parent considering Pershing, here’s your sign: run. Your child deserves a school that values safety, stability, and education over excuses, punishment, and constant turnover.Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, send your child to Pershing Middle School.