Summary:
The seven schools in zip code 75633 (Carthage, TX) serve students from Pre-K through 12th grade across two distinct districts: the Carthage Independent School District (Isd) and the Panola Charter School district, offering a mix of traditional public and charter options.
The most dramatic story is the performance chasm within the charter district. Panola Early College High School is a standout star, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with near-perfect test scores, all while spending the least per student ($6,686). In stark contrast, Panola Charter School is the lowest-performing school in the area, with a 1-star rating, critically low proficiency rates (0% in Algebra I), and the highest spending per student ($18,237). This paradox shows that the charter label alone does not guarantee quality. Meanwhile, Carthage High School provides a solid, traditional option with a 4-star rating, strong English scores, and a 93.8% graduation rate, while Carthage J H is a point of concern, with its state ranking dropping to the 40th percentile due to very low 7th-grade math (11.01%) and 8th-grade social studies scores.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not equal better results, as the most expensive school performs the worst. The Carthage ISD pipeline shows a potential "middle school slump" at Carthage J H, though advanced students taking Algebra I there achieve a 96.3% proficiency rate, highlighting a two-tier system. For parents, Panola Early College High School offers exceptional academics with minimal resources, while Carthage High School is a reliable choice, but the middle school years in the Carthage district warrant close attention.
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