Best High Schools in Zip Code 78069

Zip code 78069 in Somerset, Texas, is home to two high schools within the Somerset Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 9-12 in a suburban area with a high level of economic diversity.

The standout school in this area is the Shirleen Zacharias Early Clge Leadership Academy (SZECLA), a small early college academy with just 128 students that consistently ranks in the top 5% of Texas high schools. It achieves a perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, while its test scores in English II Reading (100% proficient) and Biology (85.71%) far exceed state averages. In contrast, the much larger Somerset High School (SHS), with 1,175 students, ranks near the middle of Texas high schools, with a 89.2% graduation rate and significant weaknesses in Algebra I (43.75% proficient) and U.S. History (53.33% proficient). Despite both schools serving populations where over 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, SZECLA outperforms SHS in every academic metric while spending nearly $2,800 less per student.

This creates a compelling story of two very different schools within the same district. SZECLA’s focused, small-scale early college model proves that high-poverty schools can achieve elite results, while SHS struggles with core subjects like math and history. Parents should consider SZECLA for its exceptional outcomes and college-prep focus, but note its limited capacity. SHS offers a traditional comprehensive experience with a strong biology program, though it may require extra support in algebra and history. The district’s overall 4-star rating masks this stark divide, making school choice critical for families in this zip code.