Best High Schools in Carthage, TX

There are three high schools serving grades 9-12 in Carthage, Texas: Carthage High School, Panola Early College High School, and Panola Charter School, offering a diverse range of educational options within a single city.

The standout school is Panola Early College High School, a small charter school that consistently ranks in the top 6% of Texas high schools with exceptional test scores, including 100% proficiency in Biology, English I, and English II. In stark contrast, Panola Charter School, which shares the same Panola Charter School district, ranks in the bottom 21% with critically low scores, such as 0% proficiency in Algebra I. Carthage High School, part of the Carthage Independent School District (Isd), is the largest and most traditional option, serving 785 students with consistent mid-to-high performance, ranking in the 74th percentile and maintaining a low dropout rate of 0.7%.

Key findings reveal that spending does not guarantee success: Panola Charter School spends the most per student ($18,237) but has the worst outcomes, while Panola Early College High School spends the least ($6,686) and achieves the best results. Additionally, Panola Early College High School has a perfect 0.0% dropout rate despite a high student-teacher ratio of 27.5:1, whereas Panola Charter School has a troubling 5.1% dropout rate. For parents, Carthage High School offers a reliable, above-average experience with strong support, while Panola Early College High School is ideal for motivated students seeking a rigorous college-prep environment, and Panola Charter School shows significant academic challenges that warrant careful consideration.