In a remarkable achievement, eight Houston Independent School District (HISD) high schools have secured top spots in the 2024 U.S.
News & World Report rankings for the best public high schools in Texas and the nation. The rankings, released on April 23, 2024, highlight the exceptional academic performance and college readiness of these HISD campuses.
Carnegie Vanguard Leads the Pack
Carnegie Vanguard High School emerged as the shining star, claiming the number one position among public high schools in the Greater Houston area.
Principal Ramon Moss, who has been at the helm of the school for 20 years, expressed his gratitude, stating,
We are very appreciative of this recognition. We have a wonderful parent population, an exceptional PTO, a phenomenal administration, and a spectacular staff and faculty. I want to give a big shoutout to all of our students, who are so intrinsically motivated to do well.
HISD Schools Dominate Top Five in Houston
HISD high schools made a strong showing in the rankings, securing four out of the top five spots in the Greater Houston area.
Following Carnegie Vanguard, Young Women’s College Prep Academy claimed the second position, while Eastwood Academy and Challenge Early College High School ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Impressive National Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report rankings also placed several HISD high schools among the best in the nation.
Carnegie Vanguard High School, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, and Eastwood Academy were all recognized in the top rankings.
Ranking Methodology
The rankings are based on a comprehensive evaluation of public high schools, considering factors such as student achievement, campus performance, student growth, and college readiness.
The data used in the rankings is derived from the 2020-21 school year, focusing on high schools with a 12th-grade enrollment of 15 students or more.
HISD Superintendent Applauds Achievement
HISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski praised the collective efforts of the school community, stating,
Our dedicated teachers and staff are committed to delivering state-of-the-art educational experiences to all of our Katy ISD students. The collective work and support of our entire school community has allowed us to stand firm in our promise to provide academic excellence.
Continued Success Amidst Challenges
The impressive rankings come amidst ongoing challenges faced by HISD, including the state takeover of the district in 2023 due to repeated failures at Wheatley High School.
Despite the hurdles, HISD schools have demonstrated resilience and a commitment to providing quality education to their students.
New Education System Shows Promise
The implementation of the New Education System (NES) in underperforming HISD schools has shown encouraging results.
Preliminary mid-year data from January 2024 indicates that NES and NES-aligned schools had significantly higher academic growth compared to non-NES schools.
The NES model focuses on innovative staffing, higher teacher salaries, and a comprehensive instructional program to improve academic performance.
Looking Ahead
As HISD continues to navigate the challenges posed by the state takeover and the ongoing implementation of the NES, the district remains committed to its mission of providing exceptional education to all students.
The 2024 U.S. News rankings serve as a testament to the hard work and dedication of HISD educators, students, and families, and provide motivation for continued success in the future.
Check Also: Computers to Grade Texas Students’ STAAR Writing Exams, Raising Concerns
