Summary:
The 12 schools in Odessa's 79761 zip code, serving elementary through high school grades within the Ector County Independent School District (Isd) and the Premier High Schools charter network, present a dramatic split between a few exceptional standouts and many struggling campuses.
The clear stars are El Magnet At Reagan Elementary (99th percentile) and El Magnet At Hays (94th percentile), both earning 5-star ratings with over 90% of 5th graders proficient in Reading. At the high school level, George H W Bush New Technical Odessa (94th percentile) boasts a 100% graduation rate and a low 11.2:1 student-teacher ratio. In stark contrast, Premier H S Odessa ranks in the 6th percentile with a 42.3% graduation rate and a 30:1 student-teacher ratio. The middle schools, Bowie Middle and Bonham Middle, are low-performing overall but show a remarkable anomaly: over 89% of their Algebra I students scored proficient, far exceeding the state average, suggesting a highly selective advanced math program.
A key takeaway is that the "Magnet" label doesn't guarantee success—El Magnet At Blackshear ranks in the 8th percentile with 0% math proficiency. Socioeconomic factors strongly correlate with performance, as the highest-performing schools have free/reduced lunch rates at or below 60%, while the lowest have rates above 68%. Spending also doesn't predict outcomes; Gonzales Elementary spends $12,603 per student but ranks in the 26th percentile, while Hays spends less and excels. For parents, this zip code offers a few elite options but requires careful school-by-school evaluation.
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