Best Public Schools in Zip Code 79073

Zip code 79073 contains two fundamentally different schools: Classical Academy - Permian Basin, a public charter elementary school (K-8) in Midland with 218 students, and Daep, a small alternative high school (grades 9-10) in Plainview with only 6 students, highlighting how this zip code serves two distinct educational communities rather than a single neighborhood.

Classical Academy - Permian Basin stands out for its dramatic academic inconsistency, particularly its exceptional 8th-grade performance. In the 2025-2026 school year, 8th graders achieved 76.19% reading proficiency and 71.43% math proficiency, far exceeding state averages of 58.69% and 47.24% respectively. This cohort showed remarkable year-over-year improvement, with math proficiency skyrocketing from just 12.5% to 71.43%. However, other grades at the school perform much lower—for example, 4th graders scored only 38.89% in reading and 33.33% in math. The school benefits from a low student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 and is part of the Texas College Preparatory Academies district, which ranks in the 59th percentile statewide. In contrast, Daep operates as a disciplinary alternative education program within the high-performing Shallowater Independent School District (Isd) (89th percentile), spending $21,041 per student—nearly 2.6 times more than Classical Academy—and achieving a 0.0% dropout rate despite serving at-risk students.

The key takeaway for parents is that these schools serve completely different purposes and populations. Classical Academy - Permian Basin offers a personalized elementary experience with strong potential for high achievement in specific grades, but families should investigate why performance varies so widely across grade levels. Daep is not a traditional high school option but a specialized program for students needing intensive behavioral and academic support, with its high per-student spending reflecting the resources required for this mission. The geographic distance between these schools (Midland vs. Plainview) means families should focus on the school that matches their child's specific needs rather than expecting a cohesive local school system.