Summary:
Zip code 75081 in Richardson, Texas, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: Berkner High School and Evolution Academy Charter School, which present a stark contrast in size, performance, and stability.
Berkner High School, part of the Richardson Independent School District (Isd), is the larger and higher-performing school with 2,350 students. It boasts a 91.2% graduation rate, a low 2.9% dropout rate, and a favorable 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio. While Berkner's state ranking is in the 33rd percentile (2 stars), it significantly outperforms its zip code counterpart in core subjects like Biology (57.53% proficient), English I (44.51%), and U.S. History (68.91%). In contrast, Evolution Academy Charter School is a small charter with only 233 students and faces severe challenges. It has a 42.2% graduation rate, a 10.9% dropout rate, and a much higher 25.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Its academic performance is critically low, with only 5.71% of students proficient in English I and a 0-star state rating, placing it in the bottom 10% of Texas high schools.
Despite both schools serving a similar percentage of economically disadvantaged students (around 50-55%), their outcomes are vastly different, suggesting that factors like resources and school culture are key drivers. An interesting anomaly is that Evolution Academy outperforms Berkner in Algebra I proficiency (26.83% vs. 11.74%), a reversal of the trend in all other subjects. However, even Berkner falls below state averages in most subjects, indicating room for improvement. Overall, Berkner High School is the clear choice for families seeking a stable, traditional high school experience, while Evolution Academy Charter School shows signs of a serious academic crisis that parents should investigate thoroughly.
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