Conroe ISD Ranks Among America’s Best Large Employers for Second Year in a Row, Tops in Education
Conroe Independent School District (Conroe ISD) has once again earned national recognition as one of America’s Best Large Employers, according to Forbes’ 10th Anniversary 2025 list. The district secured the #69 spot out of 700 large employers, ranking highest among all public school districts in the U.S., and eighth overall among Texas-based companies.
The prestigious list, compiled in partnership with research firm Statista, is based on an extensive, independent survey of over 210,000 U.S. employees across a variety of industries. Evaluations from current and former employees, as well as industry peers, factored into the rankings, which considered criteria such as working conditions, compensation, diversity, career advancement opportunities, and employee satisfaction.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized by Forbes once again,” said Dr. Curtis Null, Superintendent of Conroe ISD. “This honor reflects the strength of our culture, the support we offer our employees, and our commitment to excellence at every level of our organization.”
Conroe ISD, which spans 348 square miles across Montgomery County and serves communities such as The Woodlands, Conroe, Shenandoah, Oak Ridge North, and Grangerland, is one of the largest and fastest-growing school districts in Texas. The district currently educates more than 73,000 students across 71 campuses and employs over 10,000 staff members, making it the largest employer in Montgomery County.
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Standing Out Among Texas and National Employers
Among Texas-based organizations, Conroe ISD ranked just behind well-known names such as Houston Methodist (#3)and Cook Children’s Health Care System (#22), and ahead of Baylor College of Medicine (#220), Lone Star College (#287), and Texas A&M University (#317).
Notably, Conroe ISD was one of only two school districts nationwide to make the top 200, alongside Forsyth County School District (GA, #89). Other school districts recognized in the broader top 700 included Chandler Unified School District (AZ, #210), Cobb County School District (GA, #310), and Davis School District (UT, #315).
The 2025 rankings also featured major national employers such as Google (#6), Apple (#12), NASA (#20), Nike (#33), and LinkedIn (#88).
“This recognition reinforces what we’ve always believed—that investing in our people is the foundation of student success,” said Dr. Null. “When we take care of our employees, they’re better equipped to take care of our students.”
A Track Record of Recognition and Growth
This is not the first time Conroe ISD has earned accolades for workplace excellence. In addition to being named to Forbes’ 2024 list of America’s Best Large Employers, the district has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for Texas, as well as the Best School District in Montgomery County by Nichefor the past three years. In 2021, Conroe ISD was also named a Top Workplace by the Houston Chronicle.
Conroe ISD's appeal as an employer stems from a combination of competitive salaries, robust professional development programs, and a focus on employee well-being. The district is also known for maintaining the third-lowest tax rate in the Houston metropolitan area, allowing for sustainable growth while supporting its staff and students.
How the Rankings Are Determined
The Forbes list is derived from comprehensive survey data gathered by Statista, a global data analytics firm known for producing industry-leading rankings. Employees participating in the survey evaluated their employers on a range of topics including work-life balance, promotion potential, workload expectations, benefits, and management diversity. Survey participants also indicated whether they would recommend their employer to friends or family.
Organizations with the highest aggregate scores earned a spot on the final list of America’s 700 Best Large Employers, defined as companies with 1,000 or more U.S.-based employees.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
