Summary:
Zip code 77079 in Houston, Texas, is home to two high schools within the Spring Branch Independent School District (Isd): Stratford High School and Westchester Academy For International Studies, offering families a clear choice between a large traditional high school and a smaller, high-performing magnet academy.
Westchester Academy For International Studies is the standout school in the area, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide. It boasts a 100% graduation rate, a 0% dropout rate, and a lower student-teacher ratio of 13.7:1. Its test scores are exceptional, with proficiency rates above 93% in English I and II Reading, Biology, and U.S. History, and 72% in Algebra I—all significantly higher than district and state averages. In contrast, Stratford High School is a solid 4-star school with an enrollment of 2,394 students and a 94.5% graduation rate. While Stratford performs well in Biology (81.6%) and U.S. History (79.25%), it struggles notably in Algebra I, where only 38.11% of students are proficient, well below the district average of 65.94%.
Despite serving a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (48.84% on free/reduced lunch), Westchester Academy achieves superior results, suggesting its smaller class sizes and higher per-pupil spending ($11,221 vs. $9,618 at Stratford) are highly effective. Stratford High School shows some volatility, dropping from the 79th to the 74th percentile in recent years, while Westchester remains consistently in the top 5% statewide. For parents, Westchester offers a premier academic environment with exceptional outcomes, while Stratford provides a strong traditional high school experience with a notable area for improvement in math.
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