Summary:
The Hico Independent School District (Isd) is a small, rural Texas district serving approximately 627 students across just two schools: Hico High School (grades 6-12) and Hico Elementary (Pre-K through 5th grade). The district earns a solid 3-star rating, but this masks a stark contrast between its two schools: the high school is a standout performer, while the elementary school faces significant academic challenges.
Hico High School is the clear star, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 77th percentile in Texas. It boasts a high 94.9% graduation rate and a 0.0% dropout rate, and it consistently outperforms state averages in nearly every subject, especially in Reading and English Language Arts. The high school also shows strong year-over-year improvement. In contrast, Hico Elementary is ranked in the 42nd percentile (2-star rating) and struggles across core subjects like Reading, Math, and Science. The district spends significantly more per student at the high school ($15,794) than at the elementary school ($11,034), a disparity that may contribute to the performance gap.
The most critical finding is a dramatic "math wall" between the schools. After 5th graders at the elementary school scored just 27.45% in math, those same students, as 6th graders at the high school, scored only 11.54% in math—a steep drop that continues into 7th grade (9.68%). Remarkably, the high school then shows a phenomenal recovery, with 8th graders scoring 74.47% in math. This "V-shaped" pattern suggests a critical transition issue in the math curriculum between elementary and middle school, but also points to highly effective intervention or teaching at the 8th-grade level. The district's future success hinges on applying the high school's proven strategies to its elementary school to build a stronger foundation for all students.
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