The John Cooper School

A recognized leader in independent school education for 31 years, The John Cooper School is proud to have grown with The Woodlands. Since the inaugural opening day in 1988, Cooper has nurtured a love of life, learning and the world around us.

Our history includes being part of George Mitchell's initial vision for The Woodlands. In the early years of developing a new planned community, Mr. Mitchell set aside 43 acres for a private school and sought the guidance of renowned independent school educator Mr. John Cooper to counsel him about establishing a college preparatory school in his “new hometown.”

That vision became a reality when The John Cooper School opened on September 6, 1988 and the school has grown in both size and distinction to become one of the premier independent schools in the Houston area.

Cooper opened with an enrollment of 175 students in Pre-K through Grade 7 in 1988 and a grade level was added in each subsequent year until the first class graduated in 1994.

Now well-established and respected as a leader in independent school education, Cooper began its 2019-20 academic year in August with 1,280 students, breaking a student enrollment record for the nineteenth consecutive year. An active JCS Alumni Association now boasts 1,896 alumni.

Facility growth on campus continues to enhance educational opportunities. Added to major facilities in 2016 was a 50,000-square foot, three-story Rock Center for Math and Science Center that houses classrooms and labs, a computer lab, robotics classroom, outdoor roof garden and a 135-seat lecture hall. The newest facility, a 4,250-square foot freestanding Lower School Library, complements comprehensive athletic fields and training facilities, the Mitchell Lower School, Middle/Upper School, Student Center, a freestanding 5thGrade Center and The Glenn Performing Arts Center.

Remaining true to Mr. Cooper's whole child philosophy, learning is valued in and out of the classroom.
A Cooper education combines traditional educational practices with innovative new methods that teach students to think, question, analyze, create, communicate, lead and take responsibility for their world.

Cooper faculty are caring, committed and collaborative and believe that education is a lifelong experience. They embrace the opportunity to provide a learning environment that enables students to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifetime learners.

Members of Cooper's diverse student body pursue a variety of interests. Students are recognized locally, regionally and nationally in a range of fields, including academics, visual and performing arts, and athletics. Upper School athletes compete in the highly regarded and competitive Southwest Preparatory Conference with five to 10 percent committing to athletic careers in college.

Extensive visual and performing arts offerings prepare those interested in pursuing the fine arts and include such unique courses as 3-D visual arts and aerial arts dance.

Service to others also continues to be a cornerstone of a Cooper education. Students give back to the community through varied division-level outreach opportunities each year. Annual schoolwide efforts include the student-led Habitat Project, currently building the 21st home for a local family and the annual Empty Bowls Project that has raised over $100,000 over the past 15 years for local hunger relief efforts.

The John Cooper School continues to pave the way for students to go “from curiosity to wisdom.”

Website: www.johncooper.org

A recognized leader in independent school education for 31 years, The John Cooper School is proud to have grown with The Woodlands. Since the inaugural opening day in 1988, Cooper has nurtured a love of life, learning and the world around us.

Our history includes being part of George Mitchell's initial vision for The Woodlands. In the early years of developing a new planned community, Mr. Mitchell set aside 43 acres for a private school and sought the guidance of renowned independent school educator Mr. John Cooper to counsel him about establishing a college preparatory school in his “new hometown.”

That vision became a reality when The John Cooper School opened on September 6, 1988 and the school has grown in both size and distinction to become one of the premier independent schools in the Houston area.

Cooper opened with an enrollment of 175 students in Pre-K through Grade 7 in 1988 and a grade level was added in each subsequent year until the first class graduated in 1994.

Now well-established and respected as a leader in independent school education, Cooper began its 2019-20 academic year in August with 1,280 students, breaking a student enrollment record for the nineteenth consecutive year. An active JCS Alumni Association now boasts 1,896 alumni.

Facility growth on campus continues to enhance educational opportunities. Added to major facilities in 2016 was a 50,000-square foot, three-story Rock Center for Math and Science Center that houses classrooms and labs, a computer lab, robotics classroom, outdoor roof garden and a 135-seat lecture hall. The newest facility, a 4,250-square foot freestanding Lower School Library, complements comprehensive athletic fields and training facilities, the Mitchell Lower School, Middle/Upper School, Student Center, a freestanding 5thGrade Center and The Glenn Performing Arts Center.

Remaining true to Mr. Cooper's whole child philosophy, learning is valued in and out of the classroom.
A Cooper education combines traditional educational practices with innovative new methods that teach students to think, question, analyze, create, communicate, lead and take responsibility for their world.

Cooper faculty are caring, committed and collaborative and believe that education is a lifelong experience. They embrace the opportunity to provide a learning environment that enables students to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifetime learners.

Members of Cooper's diverse student body pursue a variety of interests. Students are recognized locally, regionally and nationally in a range of fields, including academics, visual and performing arts, and athletics. Upper School athletes compete in the highly regarded and competitive Southwest Preparatory Conference with five to 10 percent committing to athletic careers in college.

Extensive visual and performing arts offerings prepare those interested in pursuing the fine arts and include such unique courses as 3-D visual arts and aerial arts dance.

Service to others also continues to be a cornerstone of a Cooper education. Students give back to the community through varied division-level outreach opportunities each year. Annual schoolwide efforts include the student-led Habitat Project, currently building the 21st home for a local family and the annual Empty Bowls Project that has raised over $100,000 over the past 15 years for local hunger relief efforts.

The John Cooper School continues to pave the way for students to go “from curiosity to wisdom.”

Website: www.johncooper.org