Best High Schools in Zip Code 78253

This analysis examines three public high schools in zip code 78253 (San Antonio, TX): Brennan High School, Harlan High School, and Taft High School, all part of the Northside Independent School District (Isd).

Harlan High School stands out as the top performer, achieving the highest state ranking (76th percentile) and leading in most academic subjects, including Biology, English I & II, and notably Algebra I, where its 46.26% proficiency rate is nearly double that of its peers. Taft High School shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 66th to the 73rd percentile in recent years, and has the lowest student-teacher ratio (16.8) and highest spending per student ($8,619). Brennan High School is the largest and most stable, with a consistent 71st-72nd percentile ranking and the highest graduation rate (98.7%) and lowest dropout rate (0.2%) in the group.

A key takeaway is the severe underperformance in Algebra I across all three schools, with proficiency rates 8 to 30 points below the state average, suggesting a systemic math challenge. However, all schools excel in Biology, English, and U.S. History, consistently outperforming state averages. Harlan High School achieves the best results with the lowest spending per student ($7,564) and highest student-teacher ratio (17.7), indicating notable efficiency, while Taft High School’s higher investment has not yet fully translated into top rankings, though its recent progress is promising.