Houston Independent School District (Isd)

The Houston Independent School District (Isd) encompasses 271 schools, including elementary, middle, high, and alternative schools, serving a diverse urban population in Texas's largest city. This analysis highlights standout schools, key metrics, and interesting findings from the data to help parents understand the educational landscape.

Several schools emerge as elite performers, consistently ranking in the top 1% of Texas schools. Carnegie Vanguard High School, Debakey H S For Health Prof, and Kinder H S For Performing And Visual Arts boast near-perfect STAAR scores, graduation rates above 98%, and dropout rates near zero. At the elementary level, West University Elementary and Mandarin Immersion Magnet School achieve top rankings with exceptional test scores. In contrast, schools like Wisdom High School and Sharpstown High School struggle with low graduation rates (56.4% and 67.1%, respectively) and high dropout rates. Notably, "bright spot" schools such as Pilgrim Academy and Sharpstown International School achieve strong academic results despite high poverty levels, proving that challenges can be overcome.

Key metrics reveal a district average graduation rate of 84.3% and a dropout rate of 3.8%. Spending per student varies widely, from $8,277 at Carnegie Vanguard to $13,476 at Wheatley High School, yet higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes. Middle school math is a district-wide weakness, with 7th-grade proficiency averaging just 25.7%. The Texas Connections Academy At Houston, a large online alternative school, shows significantly below-average test scores, suggesting its model may not effectively serve all students. Overall, the district's top-performing schools are often selective magnet or Vanguard programs, creating a tiered system where comprehensive neighborhood schools face greater challenges.