Mimi Swartz of "Texas Monthly" said in 2006 that Bellaire was "arguably the city's best public school" and "prestigious." Lynwood Abram of the "Houston Chronicle" said in 2006 that Bellaire is "academically acclaimed". Jason Spencer of the "Houston Chronicle" said that the current principal and formal principal said that Bellaire has "reputation for academic excellence" because, in the words of former principal Hilbert Bludau, "Parents felt ownership of that school." Cathy Mincberg, an HISD trustee, said in 1993 that "There isn't a private school in Houston that can beat Bellaire High School."