The John Cooper School
The Woodlands
One John Cooper Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381Map ↗Established 1988
About this information
$36,240
Tuition · 2026–27
PK–12
Grades
539
Upper School Enrollment
10:1
Student–teacher
At a glance
A challenging college-prep program develops critical and creative thinkers while giving students opportunities to explore their interests across academics, arts, STEM, and global learning.
Advanced Academics
22 AP courses provide opportunities for rigorous, college-level study.
STEM & Innovation
Hands-on science, robotics, and technology learning is supported by six innovative science labs.
Global Learning
International travel, cultural immersion, and Global Online Academy connect students with learning beyond campus.
Arts & Creativity
Extensive visual and performing arts offerings encourage creative exploration and expression.
Tuition & financial aid
2026–27 Tuition
$36,240
Estimated First-Year Required Cost
$38,190
TEFA (Texas Education Freedom Account)
Payment options
Pay in full
Two payments
Four payments
Nine payments
Need-based aid
Awards are based on demonstrated need and renewed by reapplying each year. School-wide, 12% of students receive need-based aid, about $3.3 million in all.
Merit scholarships
Not offered — aid is need-based only
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 10, 2026
Additional & conditional costs
Required and potential costs beyond published tuition
Mandatory freshman fees
Included in estimated first-year required cost
New Student Fee
New students only
Textbooks
Annual · Usual range
Grade 9 class trip
Grade 9 · Approximate
Application / pre-admission costs
Not included in estimated first-year cost
Application fee
Non-refundable
ISEE exam (paid to ERB)
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 9, 2026
Admissions
Admissions Timeline
2027–28 cycle- Jan 15, 2027
Application Deadline
- Feb 12, 2027
Financial Aid Application Deadline
What's required
Entrance exam: ISEE
Teacher recommendations
Interview
Applicant questionnaire with typed essay
Report cards or transcripts (prior full year plus the first term of the current year)
Good to know
- Openings
- Applications stay open after the January deadline; seats can open when families relocate mid-year
Visits & Events
Athletics Preview
Oct 9, 2026 · 5:30 PM
Parent + student / Family
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 9, 2026
Academics
Advanced Coursework
22
AP Courses
11
Advanced Courses
Academic Model & Programs
Global Online Academy — Courses appear on the transcript with a GOA designation and count in the GPA.
Grading
+0.333 (AP)
Class Ranking
Not RankedGraduation Requirements
17.5 credits minimumEnglish
4 years
Social Studies
3 years · World History 1 and 2, and U.S. History or AP U.S. History
Math
3 years
Science
3 years · Biology, Chemistry and Physics
World Language
3 years · Three consecutive years of French or Spanish
Fine Arts
2 years
Physical Education
2 years
Electives
2 years
Academic Support
Tutoring • Executive-function support
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 8, 2026
World Languages
Spanish
Spanish 1 • Spanish 2 • Advanced Spanish 2 • Advanced Spanish 3 • Spanish 3 • Spanish 4 • AP Spanish Language and Culture • AP Spanish Literature
Also one-semester senior electives, including Spanish for Professionals.
French
French 1 • French 2 • French 3 • Advanced French 3 • French 4 • AP French Language and Culture
Also one-semester senior electives, including French for Professionals.
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 6, 2026
College Prep
College Counseling
Five full-time college counselors for a senior class of 128
Each student works one-on-one with a counselor on the college list, essays and applications.
College Planning
Case Studies program · sophomores and parents
Families serve on mock admission committees chaired by visiting admission officers each spring.
College outcomes · Multi-Year
100%
Graduates Accepted to College
2026–27
172
Institutions
Classes of 2022–2026
1295–1480
SAT Middle 50%
2026–27
28–34
ACT Middle 50%
2026–27
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 10, 2026
Athletics
SPC
League / Classification
Southwest Preparatory Conference
13 sports offered
Varsity/interscholastic offerings
Cheerleading • Cross Country · Boys & Girls • Football • Volleyball · Girls • Basketball · Boys & Girls • Soccer · Boys & Girls • Swimming & Diving · Boys & Girls • Baseball • Golf · Boys & Girls • Lacrosse · Girls • Softball • Tennis · Boys & Girls • Track & Field · Boys & Girls
Athletic Facilities
Two-court gymnasium for basketball and volleyball • Athletics center with a training room, weight room, fitness studio, locker rooms and a cheer room • Lighted synthetic-turf football and soccer field with a six-lane track • Lighted baseball field with an indoor batting cage • Lighted softball field • Tennis complex with four lighted courts
Athletic Notables
Most recent SPC team titles: Boys Track & Field, Girls Tennis and Boys Swimming in 2026; Girls Cross Country and Girls Golf in 2025
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 9, 2026
Arts
Band
One Wind Ensemble for grades 9–12, with regional and state honor-band auditions.
Musical Theater
The Upper School musical is a half-credit fall class.
Dance
Lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, ballet and tap, ending each May in a performance.
Visual Arts
Drawing, painting, sculpture, welding, glass, small metals, casting, mixed media, printmaking and ceramics.
Theater / Drama
Acting classes with several performances a year, plus a technical theatre class on set design and running a production.
Choir / Vocal
Builds from sight-reading and vocal technique to harmony, with solo auditions and honor groups.
Digital / Media Arts
Photography, 3D animation and digital imaging.
Arts Notables
A multimedia production lab and a 3D animation lab
Fine Arts Festival each spring showing student work from pre-kindergarten through senior year
Inkblots, an annual Upper School magazine of student writing and art
Sources
- Fine Arts — Performing Arts
- Upper School Curriculum Guide 2025-26 (PDF)
- Fine Arts — Visual Arts
- Fine Arts
Source last checked: Oct 9, 2026
School life
Campus & Setting
Main Campus
43-acre wooded PK–12 campus
The Lower, Middle and Upper Schools share the grounds, which also hold the athletic fields and courts.
Library
Upper School library with student computers and online research databases
The Lower and Middle Schools each have their own.
Upper School Buildings
Upper School building and a math and science center
The science center has labs, a lecture hall, a rooftop garden and observatory, and computer and robotics labs.
Arts
Performing arts center
A main-stage theater and a black box theater, with band, choir and dance rooms and visual arts studios.
Athletics
Gymnasium, athletics center, and a football and track field
The campus also has baseball and softball fields and a tennis complex.
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 9, 2026
Daily Life
School Day
Six-day rotating block schedule
Lunch & Dining
Dining hall with two full-time chefs
Every student receives free milk and fresh fruit daily.
Community Time
Advisory · all four years
Grades 9–11 each have a faculty advisor; seniors meet as a grade-level group.
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 9, 2026
Clubs & Activities
8 activities across 4 categories
STEM / Robotics
- Math Club
- Robotics Club
- STEM Club
Special Interest
- Chess Club
- Culinary Club
Service
- Interact Club
- Habitat for Humanity
Cultural & Affinity
- International Club
Sources
Source last checked: Oct 10, 2026
About our dataInformation comes from official school sources. Availability reflects what we could verify from published materials.