Palo Duro High School

Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, TX, is a large urban high school serving approximately 1,949 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Amarillo Independent School District (Isd), and it stands out for its remarkable ability to achieve strong academic results for its students despite facing significant socioeconomic challenges.

While the school's overall state ranking is below average, it excels in specific areas that matter most to families. Most notably, Palo Duro is a standout in math instruction, consistently outperforming the state average in Algebra I—with 61% of students proficient compared to 54% statewide. This is a stark contrast to nearby schools like Caprock High School (29% proficient) and Tascosa High School (34% proficient), even though those schools serve fewer students from low-income backgrounds. The school also shows exceptional performance with its English Language Learners, ranking in the 70th percentile statewide, and with its Hispanic and low-socioeconomic status students, both ranking in the 66th percentile. This indicates that the school has developed highly effective support systems for the students who need them most.

Palo Duro is a school on a clear upward trajectory, climbing from the 24th percentile in state rankings a decade ago to the 49th percentile today. However, the school has room for growth in literacy, as English I and II reading scores lag behind state averages. Its graduation rate, while above 90%, has shown some year-to-year volatility. When compared to the high-performing Amarillo High School (79th percentile), the contrast highlights the challenges of educational equity, but Palo Duro's consistent improvement and unique strengths in math and support for diverse learners make it a school worth watching for families seeking a dedicated and improving environment.