Best Public Schools in Zip Code 76384

The seven schools serving zip code 76384 in Vernon, Texas, are predominantly part of the Vernon Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the 8th percentile statewide, and serve students from Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade in a community marked by high economic disadvantage.

The standout school in this area is Northside School, an alternative school from the Northside Independent School District (Isd) that vastly outperforms local Vernon ISD schools. Northside achieved a 100% graduation rate and exceptional test scores, such as 84.21% of 3rd graders proficient in Reading versus 52.02% statewide, while serving a student population with a much lower free/reduced lunch rate (36.56%) compared to the main Vernon ISD schools. In contrast, Vernon Middle presents a fascinating contradiction: while general math proficiency is very low (only 2.11% of 7th graders proficient), its Algebra I program is a standout, with 86.67% of students proficient—nearly double the state average. Vernon High School maintains a solid 95.6% graduation rate despite low test scores, and Vernon Elementary shows relative strength in 5th-grade Science (37.72% proficient). The specialized North Texas State Hospital - Afp - Vernon serves only 23 students with high per-student spending ($28,732) but very low academic performance, while the Vernon Independent School District (Isd) Opportunity Center serves 10 students with a 100% poverty rate.

Key takeaways include a "two-speed" district where isolated programs like Algebra I at Vernon Middle and the graduation rate at Vernon High succeed despite systemic underperformance. However, a concerning trend shows all three main Vernon ISD schools declining in state percentile rankings over recent years. The presence of Northside School demonstrates that high performance is achievable in this zip code, highlighting the impact of district-level factors and student demographics on outcomes. Overall, parents should note that while Vernon ISD faces broad challenges, specific schools and programs offer pockets of excellence worth investigating.