Best Public Schools in Zip Code 75965

The six schools in zip code 75965, serving Nacogdoches, Texas, are split between two very different school districts and one charter school, offering a wide range of educational experiences from elite performance to significant challenges. The Stephen F Austin State University Charter School is the standout elementary option, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with exceptional test scores, while Central Heights Independent School District (Isd) provides a consistently high-performing track from Central Heights Elementary through Central Heights Middle to Central Heights High School, which boasts a 100% graduation rate and a 5-star rating. In stark contrast, Nacogdoches Independent School District (Isd) is a low-performing district, with Nacogdoches High School showing critically low Algebra I proficiency (15.98%) and Margie Chumbley Academy For Success serving as an alternative high school with a 70.4% graduation rate and the highest poverty level.

Key metrics highlight a dramatic performance gap between the districts. Central Heights ISD ranks in the 93rd percentile statewide, while Nacogdoches ISD ranks in the 9th percentile. Economic disadvantage varies widely, from 23.12% of students receiving free/reduced lunch at Central Heights High School to 76.12% at Margie Chumbley Academy. Interestingly, spending per student does not correlate with success: the highest spender is Margie Chumbley Academy at $14,432 per student, while the top-performing Stephen F Austin State University Charter School spends the least at $8,431 per student. Student-teacher ratios also vary, with Margie Chumbley Academy having the smallest classes (4.5:1) and the charter school the largest (15.5:1).

One of the most striking findings is the "Algebra I bottleneck" at Nacogdoches High School, where only 15.98% of students are proficient, compared to 100% proficiency at Central Heights Middle School. This suggests a systemic math preparation issue within the Nacogdoches ISD feeder pattern. The data also reveals a "two-track" system in the zip code: families in Central Heights ISD have access to a consistently excellent education, while those in Nacogdoches ISD face significant hurdles. The Margie Chumbley Academy, despite its low scores, serves a vital role for at-risk students, with its high spending and small classes reflecting the intense needs of its population rather than a simple measure of school quality.