Summary:
Zip code 77504 in Pasadena, TX, is home to two high schools within the Pasadena Independent School District (Isd): the large, traditional Pasadena Memorial High School (3,177 students) and the small, alternative Tegeler Community School (150 students).
Pasadena Memorial High School is the standout performer in the area, earning a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. It boasts a strong 92.8% graduation rate, well above the district average of 89.6%, and a low 1.4% dropout rate. The school shows solid academic performance, exceeding state averages in Algebra I (64.56% vs. 54.03%) and Biology (72.38% vs. 70.51%), and is on a clear upward trajectory with improving test scores and rankings. In contrast, Tegeler Community School presents a starkly different picture. Despite spending 48% more per student ($14,388 vs. $9,737) and having a much smaller student-teacher ratio (5:1 vs. 17.3:1), it has a 1-star rating, a 70.0% graduation rate, and a 9.7% dropout rate. While it excels in Algebra I (70.67% proficiency), it struggles severely in English, with only 14.75% proficient in English II Reading—far below the state average.
The key takeaway for parents is that these two schools serve very different student populations and educational models. Pasadena Memorial High School is the clear choice for a traditional, high-volume high school experience with solid and improving academic outcomes. Tegeler Community School, with its high per-pupil spending and low student-teacher ratio, appears to be a resource-intensive alternative school serving a high-needs population (86.67% free/reduced lunch), showing a targeted strength in math but facing significant challenges in literacy and student retention. The data reveals a "resource paradox" where higher spending does not translate to better overall outcomes, highlighting the profound challenges faced by the smaller school.
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