Best High Schools in Zip Code 78752

Zip code 78752 in Austin, Texas, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: Northeast Early College High School and Cedars Academy Next Generation H S At Highland, which present a stark contrast in size, performance, and educational approach.

Cedars Academy Next Generation H S At Highland, a small charter school within the Cedars International Academy district, is the standout performer. With only 116 students and a 9.2:1 student-teacher ratio, it achieves a 4-star rating and ranks in the top 14% of Texas high schools. It boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and 0% dropout rate, while significantly outperforming state averages in Biology (82.76% proficient), English II (77.78%), and U.S. History (91.67%). In contrast, Northeast Early College High School, a large traditional public school in the Austin Independent School District (Isd), serves 972 students and holds a 1-star rating, ranking in the bottom 11% of the state. Despite a high 99.4% graduation rate, its test scores are critically low, with Algebra I and English I proficiency rates around 20%.

The key takeaway is that school size and resources appear to drive success more than socioeconomic factors alone. Cedars Academy spends $16,529 per student and serves 70% economically disadvantaged students, yet excels academically. Northeast Early College, with 92% economically disadvantaged students and $12,692 per student, struggles with mastery but excels at retention. Both schools show positive year-over-year improvement trends, with Northeast increasing Algebra I proficiency from 11% to 21% and Cedars maintaining high scores. For parents, Cedars Academy offers a small, high-performing environment, while Northeast Early College provides a larger setting with strong graduation outcomes but requires significant academic support.