James B Havard Elementary

Tucked into the working-class community of Galena Park on Houston's east side, Havard Elementary punches well above its weight — particularly in science, where it lands in the top quarter of Texas schools. Families in this tight-knit, largely Latino neighborhood tend to value a school that offers real academic substance without the pressure-cooker atmosphere of more affluent Houston suburbs. It's a solid neighborhood school for families who want strong fundamentals and a community feel, set against the backdrop of a close, unpretentious corner of the Houston metro.