Best High Schools in Zip Code 75803

Zip code 75803 in Palestine, Texas, is home to two high schools, Westwood High School and Neches High School, which serve grades 9-12 and 7-12 respectively, and present a dramatic contrast in academic performance and school environment.

Neches High School is the standout school in the area, earning a 4-star rating from Schooldigger and ranking in the 90th percentile statewide. It consistently outperforms state averages by wide margins, with proficiency rates like 88.89% in Algebra I and 91.67% in English I Reading, compared to state averages of 54.03% and 55.43%. This smaller school (142 students) also has a lower rate of economic disadvantage (40.14% free/reduced lunch) and spends $16,456 per student. In contrast, Westwood High School is a larger, lower-performing school with a 1-star rating and a 17th percentile rank. It struggles academically, with only 5.77% proficiency in Algebra I and 36.07% in English I Reading, while serving a student body where 76.05% are economically disadvantaged. Despite these challenges, Westwood maintains a high 96.9% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, indicating it effectively keeps students on track to graduate.

The key takeaway for parents is the stark disparity within this single zip code. Neches High School offers a high-performing, well-rounded education with strong results across all subjects, while Westwood High School faces significant academic hurdles but excels in student retention. The higher spending per student at Neches ($16,456 vs. $11,782 at Westwood) and its smaller class sizes (9.5:1 student-teacher ratio) likely contribute to its success, but Westwood's ability to graduate nearly all its students despite low test scores is notable. Both schools are part of different districts—Westwood Independent School District (Isd) and Neches Independent School District (Isd)—and parents should consider these performance and resource differences carefully when choosing a school.