Summary:
The Denison Independent School District (Isd) in Texas operates two high schools—Denison High School and Pathways High School—serving grades 9-12, and the data reveals a stark contrast between a large, traditional comprehensive school and a small alternative campus.
Denison High School is the district’s primary high school, enrolling 1,351 students and earning a consistent 2-3 star rating from SchoolDigger, ranking in the 46th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year. It boasts a strong graduation rate of 97.3% and a low dropout rate of 0.8%, with 56.55% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. In contrast, Pathways High School is a much smaller alternative campus with only 62 students, ranking in the bottom 4% of Texas high schools (0 stars). Pathways has a graduation rate of 87.2% and a dropout rate of 5.5%, with 75.81% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The most striking difference is per-student spending: Pathways spends $47,925 per student—over four times the $10,928 spent at Denison—yet its academic outcomes are far lower, with 0% proficiency in Algebra I compared to 41.48% at Denison, and a 52 percentage point gap in U.S. History proficiency.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Denison High School offers a stable, high-performing environment with strong graduation rates and competitive test scores, making it a solid choice for most students. Pathways High School, while investing heavily in per-student resources, serves a more at-risk population and faces persistent academic challenges, with no upward trend in its state ranking. The district’s overall performance is likely pulled down by Pathways’ struggles, but Denison remains a reliable option for families seeking a traditional high school experience.
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