Best High Schools in Zip Code 79108

Zip code 79108 in Amarillo, Texas, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12: River Road High School and Highland Park High School, which belong to the River Road Independent School District (Isd) and the Highland Park Independent School District (Isd), respectively.

Highland Park High School is the standout performer in this area, consistently earning a 4-star state rating and ranking in the 77th percentile statewide. It significantly outperforms River Road High School in nearly every academic subject, with particularly strong results in Biology (88.64% proficiency) and U.S. History (85.11% proficiency), both well above state averages. Highland Park also benefits from a lower student-to-teacher ratio (9.5) and slightly higher spending per student ($14,077). However, it has a lower graduation rate (89.8%) and a higher dropout rate (2.2%) compared to River Road. In contrast, River Road High School has a higher graduation rate (96.3%) and a very low dropout rate (0.2%), but its academic performance lags behind, with a 2-star rating and proficiency rates that often fall below state averages. River Road has shown notable year-over-year improvement in test scores, such as Algebra I proficiency jumping from 15.91% to 41.1%.

Key metrics reveal a clear divide: Highland Park excels in academic rigor and state rankings, while River Road focuses on student retention and graduation. For parents, this means choosing between a school with top-tier test scores and a smaller, more personalized environment (Highland Park) versus a larger school with a strong track record of graduating students and recent academic improvements (River Road). Both schools serve economically diverse populations, with free/reduced lunch rates of 45.54% at Highland Park and 54.5% at River Road, and each offers distinct strengths depending on a family's priorities.