2024 Best Public High Schools in Texas

• Dallas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  198 reviews

Junior: I highly recommend applying to TAG if you are in DISD. This school prepares you for college. Most of the teachers are user-friendly and willing to accommodate you as long as you communicate; work can pile up at times, and it can get challenging to juggle it all, but you can definitely power through. I've had a positive experience so far, and I am glad I came here!... Read 198 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 502

• Student-teacher ratio 19:1

• Dallas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  220 reviews

Junior: The school of science and engineering is a really prestigious school that offers great classes to students. It can sometimes be hard to balance all the work were given because of the challenging classes we take. However the teachers makes the experience a little less dreadful. They strive to make students the best that they can. But what I especially like about my teachers is that they are very strict. The are strict to where they want us to learn and to have a future; that is what I adore about them. Something I would like to see a change is the school spirit. My school doesn’t have the spirit I first thought it did. Not much people are united and interested in school activities. This could be due to the fact that freshman year for us was virtual, so we didn't make any connections. But now going into senior year, I wish my school was closer.... Read 220 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 501

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Austin Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  512 reviews

Junior: LASA is an overall good school and has outstanding academics along with an amazing councilor team and is rated among the best for college readiness. While I think the school provides many good opportunities through AISD and their personal attributes like the library and office administration, due to it being an incredibly competitive school, the students are typically rude and create a hostile environment. Not a day goes by at LASA that you don't have at least 20 conversations a day regarding grades, colleges, or internships. Upon entering, it's nice because you are surrounded by people who want to pursue their career, but after time you see the manipulative ways in which they do so, and the amount of fake aspirations, and people who have no other life purpose than getting it job, and it is exhausting. Being at LASA is depressing, and almost everyone has academic stress. The amount of stress and anxiety that is filled within the campus makes it not worth it to me.... Read 512 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,309

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  358 reviews

Senior: To begin let’’s be frank about Carnegie. The academics are CHALLENGING, the workload is OBSCENE and the community is INTENSE. However, not enough is said about how supportive the school is in helping students navigate these challenges. Teachers are top of the line, both open-minded and intelligent, and are always willing to help enhance student’s learning experiences, wether that be through giving an extension to simply hearing a student’s personal troubles while on lunch break. Additionally, the students themselves are exceptional, the all GT system creating a student body of likeminded individuals who are hungry to learn EVERYTHING. Seriously, the students here are on a different level. EVERYONE here is a nerd, EVERYONE here takes 7+ APs, and EVERYONE here comes from a different background. This unique combo of students and teachers creates a close knit community focused on higher learning and built on the principles of helping each other learn, all set on gorgeous campus. I love it.... Read 358 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 823

• Student-teacher ratio 22:1

• South Texas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  356 reviews

Alum: Science Academy was a great school in terms of education quality and classmates. We were also given direct access to advanced equipment in the engineering lab such as 3D Printers, Acrylic Printing Machines, Multiple Cutting Devices, and more- all for free! I am also very fond of the environment I was immersed in. Science Academy is a very competitive school. Its environment only motivated me to do better in my classes. The only thing that kept me from giving this rating a 5 stars was the sudden shift in rules that dampened my senior year. Administration changed a lot of the long term traditions that I anticipating enjoying when I was a freshman and definitely looked forward to as a senior such as the Renfest trip, Collaboration on Fridays, and being able to enjoy lunches with my Med High friends. I hope that the school will be able to recover soon because I want people to enjoy high school as I did as a freshman.... Read 356 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 764

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  528 reviews

Senior: Westlake High School is a great learning environment. Most teachers are extremely well organized and do a good job preparing students for a greater workload in college. Teachers also help students greatly prepare for AP tests. Sports are celebrated and fun to attend with beautiful facilities. There are not enough counselors to handle the student body size of students. Many times my counselor requests were either messed up or ignored completely. I think Westlake could also work on its diversity, especially with black and Hispanic students. Overall, Westlake is a great academic school with heavy sports culture that many people can benefit from.... Read 528 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,823

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Carroll Independent School District, TX•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  498 reviews

Senior: CSHS has great school spirit. The athletic programs are top notch. Academics are above average, but there is room for improvement with programs and extracurricular learning opportunities. Guidance counselors are overwhelmed and lack support for many students.... Read 498 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,394

• Student-teacher ratio 14:1

• Round Rock Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  676 reviews

Senior: As a student at Westwood High IB World School, I can confidently say that my experience has been nothing short of exceptional. The school offers a challenging and engaging IB curriculum that has not only broadened my knowledge but also developed critical thinking skills. The teachers at Westwood are truly dedicated to their craft. They are not only knowledgeable in their subjects but also genuinely care about the success of their students. They encourage active participation and provide the support needed to excel academically. The diverse student body creates an inclusive and welcoming environment, and the extracurricular activities, clubs, and events offer plenty of opportunities to make friends and pursue passions outside of academics. Of course, no school is without its challenges. The workload can be demanding, especially in the IB program, but the skills I've developed in time management and resilience will undoubtedly serve me well in the future... Read 676 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,781

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  677 reviews

Senior: I believe that this school was thoroughly beneficial in terms of exposure to advanced content, and learning how to navigate through difficult circumstances. However, being here can be very overwhelming, and it is very easy to be caught up in academic achievement that self neglect becomes a major factor. My advice to future students is to really deliberate if the Health Sciences is something you are truly passionate about. If so, enter this school prepared for the complexities that are to come with this fast paced, college-preparatory environment. Complete your work as soon as you receive it, or as soon as reasonably possible, and most importantly, build and maintain your relationships with your peers, administrators, and educators. Join clubs, get involved in student politics, if interested, and work diligently to receive your DeBakey diploma :).... Read 677 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 891

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  1,309 reviews

Senior: Seven Lakes Highschool is a wonderful school to go to! The Fine Art Department is great in every category. The Orchestra does amazing, the band does amazing, the choir does amazing, the theater department is super cool! It's great to express yourself there. The education is good too. Most teachers are good and nice. Some teachers are absolutely amazing and will go beyond. The athletic department does great except in football but we'll get there one day. The soccer team is really good. There is definitely a group for anyone to join in Seven Lakes along side with the many clubs it has to offers.... Read 1,309 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,582

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  482 reviews

Senior: I love everything about Vandegrift Highschool and here are some of the reasons why! The school offers a wide range of courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) classes, dual enrollment opportunities, and specialized programs such as the STEM Academy and the Viper Band. The school's faculty is highly trained, and they have always helped me in achieving my goals. The school offers a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, track, and many others. The Vipers have won numerous district and state championships in a variety of sports, and the school's athletes are known for their skill and dedication. The school offers a wide range of clubs and organizations, including student government, academic clubs, service clubs, cultural organizations, and many others. These activities provide me with opportunities to develop leadership skills, make new friends, and pursue my interests outside of the classroom.... Read 482 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,723

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  400 reviews

Alum: While attending Obra D. Tompkins High School, I felt very safe and happy. There were plenty of resources for students in every form, including extracurricular and academic support. I never felt scared for my own safety or of others because it was a calm environment with no threats. One of the best parts of my experience at my high school was being part of the girls' soccer team for all four years. Being at practice and at the games during my four years was a wonderful experience where I met my long-life best friends as well as taught me discipline. I do not have any bad experiences at this high school, and I believe it is a good place to succeed!... Read 400 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,254

• Student-teacher ratio 17:1

• Coppell Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  896 reviews

Junior: Exceptional experience at Coppell High School! The diverse range of courses caters to varied interests, ensuring a well-rounded education. Engaging and supportive teachers foster an environment where learning is enjoyable. The extracurricular activities, from sports to clubs, provide ample opportunities for personal growth and skill development. The facilities are top-notch, enhancing the overall learning atmosphere. The sense of community is palpable, creating lasting friendships and a strong support network. Coppell High School truly prepares students for the future, instilling both academic excellence and valuable life skills. A memorable journey filled with enriching experiences... Read 896 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,839

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• BASIS Texas Charter Schools, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  64 reviews

Senior: BASIS San Antonio Shavano Campus has academic rigor like no other. The emphasis on STEM subjects genuinely helps students to prepare for their futures, and with the help of the college counselors, their higher education. In addition, BASIS provides some degree of flexibility in scheduling, allowing each student to customize their own path and achieve their own greatness. However, no school is perfect, and aide from the expected antipathy of the students towards the immense workload, BASIS sports are less than ideal, even in the scope of the Charter League, and so are the arts, moreso fine than liberal. If anything, I would love to see my school become more well rounded, lending itself to students who might not want to become scientists one day.... Read 64 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 976

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Frisco Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  577 reviews

Sophomore: I rated my experience at Liberty High School as 4/5 stars because, for the most part, I would say that I have enjoyed my time in school for the past two years. The school environment has always been extremely inclusive to all people, and that has definitely made me feel safe and welcomed. The best part of my experience at Liberty High School would be the closeness that I discovered with my friends and teachers. However, the worst part is that the girls' bathroom is not always the cleanest or safest place due to a small group of students who use the area as a place to vape and do drugs. I would advocate for a safer and cleaner bathroom environment. Besides this fact, I am very satisfied and happy with my experience at Liberty High School so far!... Read 577 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,936

• Student-teacher ratio 15:1

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  309 reviews

Senior: HSPVA is a place for Visual artists, Theater artists , vocalists, instrumentalists, creative writers , and dancers to perdue their artistic dreams through experienced staff, a state of the art building in downtown Houston, and opportunities to have your artwork shared with the world. Our school has won three Grammys, dozens of presidencial youngarts awards, and our alumni have been featured in the MFAH, Grey's Anatomy, Jones Hall, the Wortham Center, Discovery Green, Scholastic, and the Voice. Our most famous alumni being Beyonce! Our building is equiped with sound rooms, a print room, galleries, technology labs, large outdoor patios, recording equipment, piano rooms, lounging areas, and even metalworking equipment. I have been very lucky to go to this school, and I have had my work featured in the Contemporary Arts Museum and in the Scholastic Gold Key Awards because of the excellent education that this school provides.... Read 309 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 781

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Fort Bend Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  845 reviews

Sophomore: I love Clements High School and enjoyed my freshman year a lot. There are so many amazing things about the school including its kind and caring teachers and administration and the thoughtful students. The facilities like the gyms, tennis courts, commons, and football field are all very well taken care of. The school spirit of everyone on campus is outstanding! One of the only negatives that come to mind is the pressure on the students with their academics. The environment, though cheerful with all the friendships, is very competitive. I would wish that homework would not be as intense, or scheduling for tests and quizzes could be communicated between departments so that there isn't the pressure of studying for three tests that fall all on the same day. However, the rigorous courses make sure that students learn how to manage their time wisely and how to quickly absorb new information while being organized.... Read 845 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,488

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Round Rock, TX•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  72 reviews

Senior: The learning environment was very rigorous but it helped prepare me for college. They teach you advanced learning techniques and have an open and welcoming environment with equality for everyone through the use of school uniforms. It is a safer environment than any of the public schools I went to before going here. I've been going here for 10 years and have made a lot of friends. They are also very good and supportive of students with learning disabilities like ADHD and Dyslexia and Disgraphia, as well as students with depression and anxiety. They also provide more IB classes to help get the IB diploma to get college credits! Thanks to them, I got into my dream school!... Read 72 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 1,679

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Clear Creek Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  369 reviews

Senior: A very good school experience but it doesn't give you the full high school experience since it is an early college high school. I loved it but not everyone would say the same. It is a bit boring if you have no one to hang out with but the students are very friendly so it is easy to make friends. It is a lot of work but the work is easy. Some people say this school is too hard but I disagree. It is actually very easy if you focus and get your work done. This school also requires you to do mentorships for ISM. I was very anxious and stressed over this but when I actually got into it, it became easy. The teachers here are also amazing. They are very friendly and understanding. Overall, I love my school!... Read 369 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 416

• Student-teacher ratio 30:1

• Alief Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  595 reviews

Sophomore: The best way to describe Kerr High School is that it's like being in college. Instead of individual classrooms like traditional high schools, it has centers for the main subjects: Math, English, Science, and Social Studies. Students have only four classes a semester, two core classes and two electives. Despite the lack of the other four classes in the same semester, the workload is equivalent to that of a traditional eight-course high school. My favorite part about this high school is that they give you the responsibility and freedom to do what you want, whether it be going to a different part of the school or not teaching you because all the material is basically given to you. Seminars are held occasionally, to clarify and teach certain topics. I haven't had a bad experience with Kerr; it's an amazing high school that I would recommend to upcoming freshmen.... Read 595 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 790

• Student-teacher ratio 20:1

• Uplift Education, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  283 reviews

Freshman: I love all my teachers, classmates, and friends. One of my favorite Teachers, Miss Pineda helped me grow in my Spanish ability like no other teacher. She not only taught me Spanish, but she also taught me that being nervous is a good thing! The homework load is rigorous so we students can go deeper in our studies! Another teacher, an English Teacher, Who is not here with us anymore, Miss Hoster, made us have real-world discussions about the novels every day in her English class and encouraged us to make deep connections to the real world! The school offers many IB, AP, Honors, and Dual Credit courses and many clubs and sports that challenge the student's mind and ability deeper. The school has monthly themed prep rallies and yearly homecoming, Seinor week, and International week to celebrate the school's culture! North Hills is an International Baccerlate College Preparatory Academy that helps people prepare for life after high school! And I benefit from the school!... Read 283 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 494

• Student-teacher ratio 13:1

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  737 reviews

Senior: I really liked the school's teachers and environment. Everyone is very nice and the teachers I met are understanding and engaged in their student's studies. My teachers on many occasions pay attention to what I'm doing and how I'm faring in the classroom and on most days can be seen with an upbeat attitude. The school is mildly competitive but compared to other schools in the area it isn't so bad competition wise. The kids are still very nice to each other and academics isn't too much of a strong focus but enough to make sure we all strive to do well for colleges and our life beyond high school. I've met many diverse people in the school both culture wise and personality wise. Whether you are an art, music, or academic focused student there will be good teachers in this school to help you.... Read 737 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,475

• Student-teacher ratio 18:1

• Highland Park Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  183 reviews

Senior: While some classes and teachers proved difficult, various other teachers, counselors, and staff members were extremely helpful in furthering my education. They cared for my well-being (in many cases). The students were extremely positive, encouraging, and welcoming. It was a fun environment to be in for four years. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime, and I believe that my education at Highland Park High School has successfully prepared me for the college world.... Read 183 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 2,260

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  789 reviews

Sophomore: I honestly love going to Cy-Ranch! Our extra-curricular arts and sports programs are phenomenal, the teachers are experts in their respective fields, and the sense of community is wonderfully inspiring. If I had to change anything it might be increasing the accessibility of our counselors and more structured and frequent use of our library. Go Mustangs!... Read 789 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,549

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1

• Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  1,002 reviews

Senior: I have truly cherished my time at Cypress Woods High School. This institution has provided me with a wealth of exceptional educational and club opportunities. The diverse range of classes offered at Cy Woods has allowed me to explore various career paths, enabling me to confidently select a major for college to advance my education. When I initially entered high school, I was uncertain about my career aspirations, but with the guidance of my elective courses, I successfully honed in on my interest in Business. These enjoyable classes also offered a welcome reprieve from the demanding higher-level courses I was taking. In summary, I couldn't be more pleased with the invaluable experiences and opportunities that Cypress Woods has afforded me.... Read 1,002 reviews

• grade A+

• Students 3,185

• Student-teacher ratio 16:1