Hightower High School

Hightower High School in Missouri City, TX, serves 2,312 students in grades 9-12 within the Fort Bend Independent School District (Isd), a well-regarded district where the school's performance has notably declined over the past decade.

Hightower presents a striking contrast in how it serves different student groups. On one hand, its Gifted and Talented program ranks in the 90th percentile statewide—an exceptional achievement. On the other hand, the school struggles significantly with its English Language Learner students, who rank in the 2nd percentile. Overall, Hightower's academic proficiency rates are well below those of nearby schools like Ridge Point High School and Lawrence E Elkins High School. For example, only 26% of Hightower students are proficient in Algebra I, compared to 55% at both Ridge Point and Elkins. The school's graduation rate (89.3%) also lags behind the district average (92.5%) and its top-performing neighbors, while its dropout rate (2.8%) is more than double the district average.

A key concern is that Hightower spends more per student ($10,393) than higher-performing peers like Ridge Point ($8,410) and Elkins ($8,514), yet achieves lower academic outcomes. This efficiency gap suggests that resources are not translating into results. The school's state ranking has fallen from the 53rd percentile in 2017 to the 31st percentile for 2025-2026, a downward trend that contrasts with the rising performance of nearby schools. For parents, the core challenge is clear: Hightower excels with its highest-achieving students but must urgently address foundational skills—especially in Algebra I—and close the severe equity gaps for its English Learner and Hispanic student populations to improve overall outcomes.