Uplift Education

The Uplift Education network in Texas includes 45 schools serving elementary, middle, and high school students, and it presents a stark contrast between a few elite campuses and many struggling ones. The district as a whole ranks in the 30th percentile statewide, earning a 2-star rating, but this average masks a dramatic divide. The standout performer is Uplift North Hills Prep Ps, Uplift North Hills Prep Middle, and Uplift North Hills Prep High School, all ranked in the 99th percentile with 5-star ratings and test scores far above state averages. In contrast, schools like Uplift Williams Prep Ps (2nd percentile) and Uplift Wisdom Prep Ps (8th percentile) are among the lowest-ranked elementary schools in the network.

Key metrics reveal systemic challenges. The network's average free/reduced lunch rate is about 82%, but the North Hills campuses have rates of only 13-20%, while most other schools exceed 85%. Per-student spending shows no clear link to performance, as the highest-spending school, Uplift Elevate Prep Ps ($12,178), is a mid-tier performer, while the lowest-spending, Uplift Heights Prep Ps ($8,306), is a low performer. Science is a critical weakness, with the district's 5th Grade Science proficiency averaging just 13.27%, far below the state average of 29.57%. Additionally, several middle schools, including Uplift Hampton Prep Middle and Uplift Summit Prep Middle, reported 0% proficiency in 7th Grade Math, signaling a severe "middle school math cliff."

Despite low test scores, graduation rates are a bright spot, with most high schools above 92%, including 100% at North Hills and 97.6% at Uplift Hampton Prep High School. However, feeder patterns are inconsistent; for example, Uplift Grand Prep Ps is a mid-tier elementary (35th percentile), but its middle school drops to the 15th percentile, while Uplift Summit Prep Ps is a low-performing elementary (25th percentile), yet its high school is a standout (72nd percentile). This suggests that school-level leadership can significantly impact outcomes, but the network's overall performance is heavily skewed by the North Hills campuses, which mask the struggles of the majority of schools.