Summary
Harlan High School in San Antonio, TX, is a large public high school serving 2,778 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Northside Independent School District (Isd), and it consistently ranks among the top 25% of Texas high schools with a 4-star rating. This school stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 98.4% and a remarkably low dropout rate of 0.2%, outperforming nearby schools like Stevens High School (89.2% graduation rate) and Brandeis High School (95.3% graduation rate). Harlan also demonstrates strong, balanced academic performance across most subjects, with proficiency rates in Biology (78.75%), English I (68.88%), English II (73.56%), and U.S. History (80.76%) all exceeding district and state averages, though it has a notable weakness in Algebra I, where only 46.26% of students are proficient—below the district average of 53.43%.
Interestingly, Harlan shares a very similar profile with its neighbor Sotomayor High School, located just 2.19 miles away, with both schools having comparable enrollment sizes, free/reduced lunch rates (28.6% for Harlan vs. 30.6% for Sotomayor), and identical overall state rankings in the 76th percentile for 2025-2026. This suggests a high-performing academic corridor in the northwestern part of the district. However, while Harlan excels in serving its student body effectively, its Gifted and Talented (GT) program has seen a dramatic drop in performance, ranking in the 50th percentile in 2025-2026 compared to the 83rd percentile the year prior, indicating a potential need for more challenging opportunities for its highest-achieving students.
Despite its strengths, Harlan's overall state ranking has slightly declined from a peak of the 86th percentile in 2018-2019 to the 76th percentile in 2025-2026, a trend worth monitoring. For parents comparing options, O'Connor High School outperforms Harlan in Algebra I (65.97% proficiency) and Biology, while Brennan High School has a similar demographic profile but significantly lower Algebra I scores (24.37%). Overall, Harlan offers a well-rounded, high-performing environment with a strong track record in core academics and student retention, making it a solid choice for families in the area.
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