The Woodlands 

The Woodlands is one of the largest and most popular planned communities in the country. It has a unique combination of country and urban lifestyles. It is situated in a beautiful wooded area that offers a comfortable community lifestyle. Affordable housing and homes in all price ranges are available in this rapidly growing market. The median household income and median house value are significantly above state average, and the employment rate is low, making The Woodlands an excellent destination for families wanting to settle in and live their dreams. Though Houston is only 30 minutes away, fine restaurants, culture and the arts are all available right at home. The Woodlands has 50 or so restaurants, cafes, and delis that cater to many ethnic tastes. Two major shopping areas - Woodlands Mall and the Village Shopping Center – offer numerous retail stores, and the requisite eateries to rest and refresh yourself for another few hours of shopping. The Woodlands is well designed for outdoor beauty and recreation as well: one quarter of their acreage is dedicated to protected natural areas; there are 80 parks, a 200-acre lake, and many miles of hiking trails.  

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion provides quite a range of musical and entertainment options – blues, country western, jazz, and latino styles comprise some of the 50 concerts a year. Programs also include classical and contemporary works by the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. Concerts by the Houston Symphony are enjoyed by large audiences at the Pavilion in the summer months.

Community members of all ages have fun at The Woodlands Recreation Center. Sports and recreational activities, art, music, and exercise classes are offered.
The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center is a world-class leisure and conference center that offers several championship golf courses, a spa, four excellent restaurants and comparable shops, and recreational activities. 

LOCATION 

The Woodlands is located in Montgomery County on I-45 (N-S), 40 miles northwest of downtown Houston, and less than 30 minutes from this lively and cosmopolitan city. Other nearby cities are Shenandoah (3.3 miles), Oak Ridge North (4.3 miles), an Woodloch (7.0 miles).  

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS  

The Woodlands can be reached by air most conveniently via the following airports all of which are in Houston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 19 miles away; William P Hobby, approx 41 miles; and Ellington Field, approx 47 miles from The Woodlands. 

The District is a general public transportation provider. They operate Fixed Routes, Waterway Cruisers, Paratransit Service, Demand and Response, and Park & Rides in The Woodlands.  

BRIEF HISTORY 

The Woodlands is a beautiful master-planned community, which was established as a response to the rapid growth of the Houston area. In 1972 the Mitchell Energy and Development Corporation began building The Woodlands on 23,000 of wooded area, with the goal of providing a comfortable community setting for families to live in, and one, which was conveniently located to metropolitan Houston. Rapid development ensued, and by 1980 the Woodlands had a population of nearly 11,200, six schools, six parks, five churches, and a public library. By 1981 the community boasted 160 companies, and within ten years the population had swelled to nearly 30,000.  

ABOUT EDUCATION 

All public schools in the Woodlands are a part of the Conroe Independent School District. Quoted from CISD’s website is their educational goal for all students:  

"CISD is a learning community united in its commitment to ensuring all students graduate with confidence and competence. The schools and communities work together to provide performance standards which can be applied to the real world. This is achieved through the implementation of quality in instruction, operations, and leadership." 

CISD is the largest employer in Montgomery County and serves four communities. CISD has 29 elementary schools (PK-4), 11 intermediate (grades 5-6), 6 junior high schools (grades 7-8), 10 senior high schools, plus 3 alternative schools. The district is growing by an average of 1300 students a year. Students achieve above the national average on their SAT, ACT, and Stanford Achievement Tests, and 97.3% of high schools students get their degrees.  

There are also seven private schools in the Woodlands. 

The area in and around Houston also has many excellent community colleges, four-year colleges and universities. North Harris Montgomery Community College District has a FT enrollment of 14,000, Houston Community College System serves 21,140 students, The University Of Texas Health Science Center has a FT enrollment of 2,595, University Of Houston-Downtown serves a student population of 6,236, University of St. Thomas, FT enrollment: 2,541, Rice University has a FT enrollment of 4,158, and the University of Houston-University Park serves a FT student body of 25,479.