Highland Park Independent School District (Isd)

The Highland Park Independent School District (Isd) in Amarillo, Texas, serves 749 students across three schools: Highland Park Elementary (grades PK-5), Highland Park Middle (grades 6-8), and Highland Park High School (grades 9-12). The district overall holds a 3-star rating, but performance varies dramatically between its schools.

Highland Park High School is the clear standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide. It excels in End-of-Course exams, with proficiency rates well above state averages in Biology (88.64%), English I and II Reading, and U.S. History (85.11%). Its low student-teacher ratio of 9.5:1 supports individualized attention. In contrast, Highland Park Elementary struggles with a 1-star rating and 27th percentile ranking, particularly in early math where only 29.09% of 3rd graders met proficiency. Highland Park Middle serves as a critical bridge, earning a 3-star rating and showing a remarkable strength in advanced math: 84.21% of 8th graders taking Algebra I were proficient, far exceeding the state average of 54.03%.

Key takeaways include a notable spending disparity—the high school spends $14,077 per student while the middle school achieves its Algebra I success with just $9,067 per student. The middle school also shows a consistent weakness in Social Studies, with only 13.24% of 8th graders proficient versus 31.69% statewide. Despite serving a predominantly low-income population (45-64% free/reduced lunch), the high school’s sustained 4-star performance over three years demonstrates effective programs. The district’s biggest question is how the elementary school’s low performance transforms into high school success, with the middle school’s math pipeline appearing to be the key driver.