Best High Schools in Zip Code 79109

In the 79109 zip code of Amarillo, Texas, four high schools serve approximately 3,765 students across a mix of traditional public and alternative/charter environments, offering a range of educational options for families.

Amarillo High School is the standout performer in the area, with 2,161 students and a 4-star rating from Schooldigger for the 2025-2026 school year. It leads in state ranking (79th percentile), graduation rate (97.1%), and academic proficiency, particularly in Biology (85.64%) and U.S. History (82.19%). West Plains High School is a strong second, boasting the lowest dropout rate (0.2%) and the lowest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (23.59%), though its state ranking has declined from the 71st to the 62nd percentile over three years. In contrast, the two alternative schools—Premier H S Of Amarillo and Richard Milburn Academy Amarillo—serve smaller, higher-needs populations (nearly 60% on free/reduced lunch) and face significant challenges, with Richard Milburn Academy reporting a 25.7% graduation rate and a 28.6% dropout rate. These schools are part of different districts: Amarillo High School is in the Amarillo Independent School District (Isd), West Plains High School is in the Canyon Independent School District (Isd), Premier H S Of Amarillo is in the Premier High Schools district, and Richard Milburn Academy Amarillo is in the Richard Milburn Alter High School (Killeen) district.

A key takeaway is that Algebra I proficiency is a universal challenge across all four schools, with even top-performing Amarillo High School scoring below the state average (49.85% vs. 54.03%). Additionally, spending per student does not correlate with performance—Richard Milburn Academy spent the most ($10,235 per student) but had the worst outcomes, while Amarillo High School spent less ($9,293) and excelled. This suggests that factors like school culture and student demographics are more critical than financial resources alone in determining success.