News Summary
Texas has experienced a notable population increase of nearly 563,000 people within a year, driving families to prioritize quality school districts as they relocate. The Texas Education Agency has evaluated over 1,200 school districts, with more than 120 receiving A ratings based on performance metrics. Families are increasingly seeking educational opportunities in top-performing districts like BASIS Texas and Highland Park Independent School District, which exhibit high TEA scores and graduation rates. With this shift, educational quality becomes a crucial factor for families moving to the Lone Star State.
Texas Population Increases, Influencing School District Choices
Texas has seen a significant population surge of nearly 563,000 people between July 2023 and July 2024, leading to an influx of families searching for optimal educational opportunities for their children. As these families relocate to the Lone Star State, considering the quality of local school districts has become a crucial factor in their decision-making process.
With over 1,200 public school districts in Texas, most operate independently from local government, providing a diverse array of educational environments. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has evaluated these districts, awarding more than 120 districts an A rating based on various performance metrics. This evaluation process is critical for families wishing to understand which districts provide the best educational outcomes for their children.
The rankings of the best school districts in Texas have been developed using comprehensive data sourced from students, parents, and TEA evaluations, highlighting a range of metrics including TEA scores, graduation rates, and college-readiness scores. Several standout districts have emerged in recent evaluations.
BASIS Texas has become a leading charter school network with locations in San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Austin. It boasts an impressive TEA score of 936 and a perfect graduation rate of 100%. BASIS Texas also reports the highest average SAT/ACT scores among listed districts, averaging 1379/30.9, while a remarkable 98.9% of students pass college-readiness exams, significantly outpacing the state average.
Another notable institution is the Highland Park Independent School District, which serves the communities of Highland Park, University Park, and parts of North Dallas. It has a TEA score of 9510 and maintains a graduation rate of 100%. Approximately 95% of graduates proceed to college, indicating strong post-secondary readiness.
Carroll Independent School District, located in Southlake, is distinguished by a TEA score of 9515. It has a graduation rate of 99.6% and is home to five National Blue Ribbon Schools, underscoring its academic excellence. Notably, nearly 1 in 4 students in this district participates in gifted and talented programs.
Eanes Independent School District in Austin has a TEA score of 9419 and a graduation rate of 97.8%. This district is recognized for having the highest college-readiness scores among traditional public schools in Texas, in addition to achieving a perfect financial management rating and offering exceptional music education programs.
Despite its smaller size, the Lovejoy Independent School District in Allen has garnered a high TEA score of 9624 and maintains a graduation rate of 99.3%. In fall 2024, 420 students were recognized as AP Scholars, showcasing the district’s commitment to advanced academic challenges.
Coppell Independent School District prides itself on a TEA score of 9229 and reports a graduation rate of 99.2%. The district focuses on maintaining favorable student-teacher ratios, averaging 15 students per teacher, and offers competitive salaries to attract and retain qualified educators.
The South Texas Independent School District specializes in programs related to health, science, and virtual courses. It holds a TEA score of 9433 and an impressive graduation rate of 99.7%, while also having some of the most experienced educators in the state.
Frisco Independent School District, the largest on the list with over 66,000 students, has a TEA score of 9037 and a graduation rate of 98.8%. It is recognized for its award-winning academic and athletic programs, making it a popular choice among families.
In addition, the Aledo Independent School District serves Parker and Tarrant counties. It boasts a TEA score of 9044 and a graduation rate of 98.1%, offering career-focused training and advanced academic tracks.
Among Texas high schools, top performers include the School for the Talented and Gifted in Dallas, ranked 1st in Texas and 6th nationally, followed by Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School and Science and Engineering Magnet School, demonstrating the strong academic programs available in the state.
Despite its many strengths, Texas currently ranks 25th in the nation for overall education quality, with specific rankings of 29th for preschool through high school and 21st for higher education. As families continue to move to Texas, they should prioritize educational opportunities to ensure their children receive a suitable academic experience.
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Additional Resources
- Ramsey Solutions: Best School Districts in Texas
- Houston Chronicle: Top Rated School Districts in Houston Area
- CBS Austin: Eanes Independent School District Named Top District in Texas
- Click2Houston: Best and Worst Performing Houston Area School Districts
- KLAQ: Texas School Districts Ranked
- Wikipedia: Education in Texas
- Google Search: Texas school districts
- Google Scholar: Texas education evaluations
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in Texas
- Google News: Texas school districts
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
