Summary
Refugio High School is a small, rural school in Refugio, TX, serving 222 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Refugio Independent School District (Isd), and it has shown a positive upward trend in recent years, moving from a 2-star to a 3-star rating. The school boasts a low student-to-teacher ratio of 11.2:1 and high per-pupil spending of over $20,000, which likely contributes to its strong graduation rates—consistently above 93% and reaching 100% in 2021-2022. Over 57% of students are economically disadvantaged, yet the school excels in supporting specific groups, ranking in the 77th percentile for Hispanic students and the 99th percentile for Gifted and Talented students, indicating exceptional programming for these populations.
When compared to the nearby Woodsboro High School, just 6.25 miles away, Refugio High School significantly outperforms it in core academic areas. For the 2025-2026 school year, Refugio students achieved a 55.26% proficiency rate in English I Reading versus Woodsboro’s 35.9%, and a 59.46% rate in Biology versus 51.35%. Refugio also holds a statewide ranking in the 53rd percentile, while Woodsboro sits in the 28th percentile. However, the school faces a critical challenge with Algebra I, where only 28.13% of students are proficient—well below the state average of 54.03%—despite high investment in resources.
Refugio High School’s overall progress is promising, but it is not uniform. While it excels with Hispanic and English Language Learner students, it struggles significantly with its Special Education population, which dropped from the 53rd percentile to the 10th percentile in recent years. This suggests that while the school is on the rise, its foundation is fragile, and addressing these gaps—especially in math instruction and support for all student groups—will be key to sustaining its upward trajectory. For parents, this school offers a supportive environment with strong reading and history outcomes, but it requires attention to math performance and equitable support across all student demographics.
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