Estacado High School

Estacado High School in Lubbock, TX, serves 787 students in grades 9-12 and is part of the Lubbock Independent School District (Isd), located in a community where about 90% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a very high level of economic disadvantage.

Academically, Estacado has consistently ranked in the bottom 15% of Texas high schools over the past decade, with proficiency rates in core subjects like English I Reading (27.7%) significantly lower than the district (52%) and state (55.4%) averages. Its graduation rate of 84.3% is the lowest among the district's four comprehensive high schools, and its dropout rate of 3.4% is nearly double the district average. However, a remarkable turnaround has occurred for Multi-racial students, who jumped from the 9th percentile statewide in 2024-2025 to the 75th percentile in 2025-2026, earning a 4-star rating. In contrast, Gifted and Talented students rank in the 9th percentile, suggesting advanced programs need improvement. Notably, Estacado spends about $12,468 per student—higher than nearby schools like Coronado High School ($9,306) and Monterey High School ($9,121)—and has a lower student-to-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, indicating that resource allocation alone hasn't yet overcome the challenges tied to serving a high-needs population.

For context, Estacado is located just 0.38 miles from Talkington School For Young Women Leaders, a magnet school in the same district that ranks in the 96th percentile with a 97.7% graduation rate and serves a less economically disadvantaged population (42% free/reduced lunch). This stark contrast highlights how Estacado's non-selective, zoned enrollment faces unique hurdles. While the school has shown pockets of success, such as the Multi-racial student turnaround, overall performance remains low, and parents should consider the school's resource investments and targeted programs when evaluating fit.