Best High Schools in Zip Code 78702

Zip code 78702 in Austin and Tyler, Texas, is home to six high schools serving a diverse range of students, from a large comprehensive school to several small, specialized alternative programs, many of which face significant academic challenges compared to state averages.

For parents, the standout traditional school is Eastside Early College High School, the largest in the area with 663 students. It has the highest graduation rate (73.9%) among schools with data, though this is well below the Austin Independent School District (Isd) average of 90.2%. In contrast, Texans Can Academy - Austin struggles the most, with a 14.7% graduation rate and a 38.1% dropout rate. Garza Independence High School spends heavily per student ($25,240) but still sees a low 42.3% graduation rate. The Alternative Learning Center is the most resource-intensive, spending $669,783 per student, yet academic proficiency in core subjects is near zero, indicating its focus is on intensive support rather than test scores. The smallest schools, Travis County J J A E P and Texasworks - Tyler, serve highly specialized populations (juvenile justice and charter programs) with no reported test scores or graduation rates, making direct comparison impossible.

A key takeaway is that high spending does not guarantee high academic outcomes, as seen with the Alternative Learning Center. Across schools, U.S. History scores are consistently the strongest subject, while dropout rates are alarmingly high, especially at Texans Can Academy. The area concentrates students who have not succeeded in traditional settings, meaning parents should carefully consider each school's mission and student population when evaluating options.