Summary:
The Bryan Independent School District (Isd) oversees six high school campuses serving approximately 4,887 students in grades 9-12, a diverse district ranked in the 35th percentile statewide with a 2-star rating that masks extreme internal disparities.
The district is defined by a stark "two districts" phenomenon. Bryan Collegiate High School is a standout star, ranked 76th in Texas (96th percentile) with a 5-star rating, boasting a 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate. It achieves elite results with the lowest per-student spending ($7,877) and highest student-to-teacher ratio (24.1). In stark contrast, James Earl Rudder High School struggles significantly, ranked 1,618th (19th percentile) with a 1-star rating and consistently underperforming district averages, particularly in Algebra I where only 19.62% of students are proficient. Travis B Bryan High School, the largest campus with 2,426 students, represents the district's average performance as a 2-star school with a 71.48% poverty rate. Alternative campuses serve high-need populations: The Mary Catherine Harris School-School Of Choice has an 11.5% dropout rate and 78.2% graduation rate, while the Disciplinary Alternative Educational Progam (Daep) spends an extraordinary $79,617 per student due to intensive security and counseling needs.
Key takeaways for parents: Spending does not equal success—the highest-spending campuses have the worst academic results, while the lowest-spending campus excels. Math is a systemic weakness across the district, with Algebra I proficiency ranging from 18-20% at traditional schools to 68.75% even at Bryan Collegiate. The district serves a predominantly low-income community, with 65% to 88% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. For families seeking rigorous academics, Bryan Collegiate offers a nationally competitive option, while families at Rudder or Travis B. Bryan should expect significant challenges and should investigate support programs for math and reading proficiency.
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