Best High Schools in Zip Code 79701

Zip code 79701 in Midland, Texas, is home to four high schools within the Midland Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 9-12 (with some including middle school grades), and presents a dramatic range of educational outcomes from a top-tier academy to struggling comprehensive and alternative programs.

The standout school is the Young Women's Leadership Academy, which ranks 20th in Texas (99th percentile) with a 5-star rating, achieving near-perfect proficiency in core subjects like Algebra I and U.S. History, and a dropout rate of just 0.3%. In stark contrast, Midland High School, the largest school with 2,718 students, ranks in the bottom 18% (1-star) and shows critical weaknesses, with only 1.43% proficiency in English I Reading and 6.52% in Algebra I. Viola M Coleman High School (180 students) faces deep challenges with a 79.6% graduation rate and a 7.8% dropout rate, while the Midland Alternative Program (122 students) spends an extraordinary $198,131 per student yet ranks in the bottom 3% with 0-star performance, though it maintains a 0.0% dropout rate.

Key takeaways for parents include the extreme disparity within the same district: the Young Women's Leadership Academy proves high achievement is possible, but its selective model isn't replicated elsewhere. Midland High School's low foundational literacy and math scores signal a systemic issue affecting most students in the zip code. Spending does not correlate with success, as the highest-spending alternative program shows minimal academic gains, while the moderate-spending academy excels. For families, this means school choice is critical, with the academy offering elite academics, while the comprehensive high schools and alternative programs require careful evaluation of their specific challenges and supports.