Summary:
Zip code 78624, encompassing the Fredericksburg area, is home to two high schools within the Fredericksburg Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 9-12 and 10-12 respectively, and presenting a stark contrast between a large, high-performing traditional school and a very small, struggling alternative program.
Fredericksburg High School is the clear standout, enrolling 1,031 students and consistently exceeding state averages in core subjects like U.S. History (80% proficient) and English. It boasts an exceptional 97.8% graduation rate with a 0.0% dropout rate, a low student-to-teacher ratio of 13.2:1, and a solid state ranking in the 61st percentile. In contrast, Gillespie County High School serves only 19 students and appears to be a specialized or alternative school for at-risk youth. Its performance is dramatically lower, with a graduation rate of just 88.2%, a 2.4% dropout rate, and a state ranking in the bottom 5th percentile. The most striking academic gap is in U.S. History, where FHS students achieve 80% proficiency compared to only 20% at GCHS.
Despite nearly identical per-student spending of around $11,000, the outcomes are worlds apart, highlighting that funding alone does not guarantee success. Interestingly, the smaller school has a higher student-to-teacher ratio (19:1) than the larger one (13.2:1), suggesting it may be understaffed. While the district’s overall graduation rate of 96.6% is excellent, it is entirely driven by FHS, indicating that the district’s safety net for at-risk students at GCHS is not as effective. Economic factors also play a role, with GCHS having a slightly higher percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (57.89% vs. 51.21%), aligning with its lower performance metrics.
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