Summary
Navarro Early College High School in Austin, TX, is a large public high school serving 1,633 students in grades 9-12 within the Austin Independent School District (Isd), where a very high percentage of students (93.94%) come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While the school has consistently ranked in the bottom 15% of Texas high schools over the past decade, it maintains a notable strength in student persistence, with a graduation rate that consistently hovers around 92%.
When comparing Navarro to nearby schools, the differences are striking. For example, McCallum High School, located just 2.68 miles away, serves a much more affluent population (23% free/reduced lunch) and achieves dramatically higher academic proficiency rates—such as 53% in Algebra I versus Navarro's 17%. However, it's important to note that high poverty does not have to dictate low outcomes. Idea Rundberg College Preparatory, just 1.21 miles away, serves an even higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (94.3%) but achieves proficiency rates in Biology (85%) and English I (71%) that are nearly double or triple those of Navarro. Meanwhile, Northeast Early College High School shares a similar demographic profile and low academic scores with Navarro, yet boasts a significantly higher graduation rate of 99.4%.
Interestingly, despite its "Early College" designation, which typically implies a rigorous college-prep environment, Navarro's test scores are among the lowest in its immediate vicinity. There is a glimmer of hope for African American students, who have shown a remarkable upward trend, ranking in the 69th percentile in 2024-2025. However, performance for English Language Learner and Special Education students has declined sharply. Notably, spending is not the issue—Navarro's per-student spending ($11,644) is higher than that of high-performing McCallum ($10,038) and Idea Rundberg ($10,814). Additionally, the campus also houses Graduation Prep Academy Navarro, a separate school for 57 students with a very low graduation rate (62.5%), creating a unique dynamic where two schools with vastly different missions share a single campus.
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