Best High Schools in Zip Code 78046

This analysis examines five high schools in zip code 78046, serving grades 9-12 in the Laredo and Rio Bravo areas of Texas, a region characterized by high poverty rates where all reporting schools have over 82% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

United South High School stands out as the highest-performing traditional school in the area, earning a 3-star rating and achieving 72.45% proficiency in Algebra I—well above the state average of 54.03%—while maintaining a 95.3% graduation rate and the lowest per-student spending ($9,734) among the traditional schools. In contrast, Dr. Leo Cigarroa High School faces the most significant academic challenges, with only 4.52% of students proficient in English I Reading and an 8th percentile state ranking, despite spending the most per student ($12,411) and having the smallest class sizes. Lyndon B. Johnson is the other large school, serving 3,240 students with a 95.4% graduation rate and showing relative strength in U.S. History (58.28% proficient). The two smaller schools serve specialized roles: United Step Academy (167 students) is an alternative placement school with a 0% dropout rate and very high spending ($25,785 per student), while Triumph Public High Schools-Laredo South (129 students) has an 87.3% graduation rate, significantly higher than its Triumph Public High Schools Central Texas district average of 69.8%.

A key takeaway is the disconnect between high graduation rates—all three traditional schools exceed 94%—and low academic proficiency, with most schools scoring below state averages on core STAAR exams. This suggests students are progressing to graduation without necessarily mastering grade-level content. Additionally, United South High School serves as a model of effective resource management within the United Independent School District (Isd), achieving strong results despite high poverty and lower spending, while Dr. Leo Cigarroa High School in the Laredo Independent School District (Isd) illustrates that additional funding alone does not guarantee improved outcomes.