Summary:
Zip code 75061 in Irving, TX, is home to two high schools within the Irving Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 9-12 in a community where over 80% of students face economic disadvantage. Irving High School is the larger, comprehensive school with 2,390 students, ranking in the 23rd percentile statewide, while Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is a much smaller specialized campus with 247 students, ranking in the 12th percentile. Irving High stands out as the stronger academic performer, with a 91.6% graduation rate and a 1.7% dropout rate, compared to Barbara Cardwell’s 69.4% graduation rate and 8.5% dropout rate.
A key finding is the spending paradox: Barbara Cardwell spends $26,001 per student—2.5 times more than Irving High’s $10,355—yet achieves significantly lower outcomes. For example, Algebra I proficiency at Irving High is 26.55% versus just 5.88% at Barbara Cardwell, and Biology proficiency is 53.86% compared to 32.14%. Despite this, both schools trail state averages in most subjects, with the district ranking in the 12th percentile overall. An interesting exception is U.S. History, where Irving High’s 67.13% proficiency nearly matches the state average of 70.17%, suggesting a relative strength in that subject.
Irving High shows a positive trend, with year-over-year improvements in every tested subject from 2024-2025 to 2025-2026, including Algebra I rising from 17.41% to 26.55%. Meanwhile, Barbara Cardwell’s low proficiency rates in core subjects like English I (23.64%) and Algebra I (5.88%) raise questions about its career preparatory model, as students may lack foundational skills needed for advanced training. For parents, Irving High offers a more traditional path with improving metrics, while Barbara Cardwell serves a high-needs population but struggles with academic achievement despite higher per-student investment.
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