Best High Schools in Zip Code 77449

Zip code 77449 in Katy, Texas, is home to three high schools serving grades 9-12: two large traditional public schools and one small, high-performing charter school.

For parents seeking the best academic outcomes, Calvin Nelms High School is the standout choice. Despite having a higher student-teacher ratio and lower per-student spending than its peers, this charter school achieves a 5-star rating and ranks in the top 10% of Texas high schools. Its proficiency rates in Algebra I (83%), English II (84%), and U.S. History (88%) far exceed both the state average and the other two schools. In contrast, Cypress Lakes High School and Morton Ranch High School both hold 3-star ratings and rank in the 52nd percentile statewide. However, Morton Ranch has a slight edge with a higher graduation rate (90.4% vs. 88.3%) and a much lower dropout rate (0.7% vs. 2.9%). Both large schools significantly underperform their respective districts—Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (Isd) and Katy Independent School District (Isd)—in every subject, particularly in Algebra I where proficiency rates are alarmingly low (41% at Cypress Lakes and 34% at Morton Ranch).

A key takeaway is that Calvin Nelms demonstrates that strong academic results are possible even with fewer resources, suggesting its success stems from factors like school culture and curriculum. Meanwhile, both Cypress Lakes and Morton Ranch serve high percentages of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, which provides important context for their lower test scores. For families prioritizing college readiness and strong test scores, Calvin Nelms is the clear leader, while Morton Ranch offers better student retention and graduation outcomes than Cypress Lakes among the traditional public schools.