Good Reports
2 Dallas high schools make the grade among best in Texas for 2019
When Charles Dickens wrote, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," there was an excellent chance he was not actually talking about the French Revolution, but rather high school. Area students, however, can find comfort in the knowledge that at least they're getting a great education during the four rollercoaster years.
According to a new report from Niche.com that ranks public high schools nationally and statewide, two of the best high schools in Texas are in Dallas. Dallas' School of Science & Engineering landed at No. 23 in the country and No. 2 in the state. And School for the Talented & Gifted earned a spot at No. 27 and No. 3 in the state.
With the School of Science & Engineering's 100 percent graduation rate and 1350 average SAT score, it's not surprising that it's salutatorian of the statewide class. School for the Talented & Gifted boasts a 95 percent graduation rate and impressive 1390 average SAT score.
In order to determine the rankings, Niche.com graded each school based on academics, diversity, parent/student satisfaction surveys, and teacher grades, among other factors. Academics were given the most weight at 60 percent while the rest of categories are each given a 10 percent weight. Clubs, health and safety, facilities, and sports are each factored in at 2.5 percent.
According to the study, Texas' best high school is in the Capital City. Austin Independent School District's Liberal Arts & Science Academy ranks No. 11 in the country and No. 1 in the state. It aced special categories, earning the top spot for Best Public High School Teachers in Texas and Best College Prep High School in Texas.
Across Texas, other schools with the best report cards include West Austin's Westlake High School, which came in at fifth best public high school in Texas and the No. 41 best school in the U.S.; and in Houston, Carnegie Vanguard School also cracked the top 50, coming in at No. 37.