2024 Best College Prep Public High Schools in Texas

• Dallas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  197 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 197 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1400

• Average ACT 32

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  355 reviews

Senior: Carnegie Vanguard High School is a rigorous high school that provides a great learning and challenging learning environment with the addition of Advanced Placement and Dual Credit Courses. Although the learning environment can be challenging, students at Carnegie create an enjoyable inclusive environment, whether it be from freshmen to seniors; everyone gets to enjoy this positive environment. Students can also enjoy various clubs that are started by teachers, like Chess Club, or by students like the Mahjong Club. These clubs offer great diversity, and promote a sense a inclusion to all students, as everyone is invited. In all, Carnegie Vanguard High has a very supportive environment were students can feel welcome and included, the additional support from everyone, not only students, and the rigorous academic learning a student needs to be successful.... Read 355 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 32

• Dallas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  218 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 218 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 32

• Houston Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  676 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 676 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 31

• Round Rock Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  674 reviews

Senior: In the four (three in-person) years that I have attended Westwood High School, I feel that I received a cream-of-the-crop education. Westwood is fairly well-known in the district for having a highly competitive student body, a rigorous curriculum (across all classes), and the college-ready students they produce come graduation, and I feel I wholly embody those things. That's not to say it was without its struggles, but you can't succeed without challenging yourself. For me, my challenges came in the form of a select few teachers who did not come to class with a smile every day, those who weren't too expressive about believing in their students. Often I found that teacher morale was low, and sometimes that translated into a harder time for the students.... Read 674 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• BASIS Texas Charter Schools, TX•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  63 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 63 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1370

• Average ACT 31

• Plano Independent School District, TX•

• 9-10

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  94 reviews

Sophomore: Jasper High School, like any high school, isn’t going to be a student’s favorite place to go. There were times where I wanted to run out of class and go home, but in general, I’m glad I got to attend this school. There are so many opportunities that I would not have gotten to experience had I not been at this school, and so many friends I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t gone here.... Read 94 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1420

• Average ACT 32

• Eanes Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  524 reviews

Alum: I would give this school 4.5 stars, but I'm going to lower it by one point. This school was incredible at preparation. College was easier than many of the classes and workload I was given at Westlake. That being said, if you want to do a variety of activities, you will be out of luck. Westlake is excellent for kids with a focus. If you want to be a track star, choir kid, theatre kid, band kid, you can definitely find and explore your niche to the highest potential! That being said, if you are looking for a school where you can do everything, that is not possible here. I did AP classes and just theatre by the end. I was pursuing musical theatre, and that really wasn't available to me. I would have had to only do choir, and their theatre training really isn't there. They are music focused, and, when I went there, have a very Christian focused program. The school is difficult, very stressful, but does prepare. There is an expectation that you will be a successful college grad.... Read 524 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 31

• Plano Independent School District, TX•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  1,187 reviews

Junior: Studying at Plano West was a wonderful experience; I had great connections with both teachers and other students. Not only were teachers approachable and friendly, but they were also wonderful at teaching the subject at hand. As a student with a lot of APs, I am always scared that the classes would overwhelm me with too much difficult material. However, all of the teachers I've had at Plano West had put in more than sufficient effort to ensure that every student understands. On the other hand, since the student population is also large, there is a lot of competition. In addition, hallways are usually congested because of the number of students at the school. If I could change something at my school, I would attempt to build additional buildings to make buildings less crowded. I would also like to see the school student population become more diverse since it currently is consisted of mostly Asians.... Read 1,187 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Clear Creek Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  366 reviews

Senior: Coming from a large middle school, the Environment at Clear Horizons was quite a change. Here, you arent surrounded by random peers and thousands of other students. At clear Horizons, we are family. There are around 500 kids in my school which is shocking to outsiders. The best thing about this school is the support system that you couldn't get at public schools. Everyone knows who you are and you know who everyone else is too. You grow relationships and bonds with the teachers and the most of the students. Everyone youre surrounded by is here to help when needs and support your goals. I have made friends that stick with me for the rest of my life and im so honored to have been accepted into Clear Horizons. This school allows you to prepare for college with its dual diploma program, form life long friendships, and try new things like all the different clubs and activities on campus. I wouldn't get this type of education anywhere else in the district. Clear Horizons is one of a kind!... Read 366 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1200

• Average ACT 27

• South Texas Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  353 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 353 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1280

• Average ACT 28

• Mckinney, TX•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  56 reviews

Junior: I have been attending Imagine International Academy of North Texas since the first grade. This school has allowed me to grow by strengthening my communication and critical thinking skills with the IB program and has given me some of the best friends I could ask for. The school is small so students are able to form meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers, influencing them to make the most out of their learning and school experience. I can confidently say that this school prepares its students for college with the amount of rigor and resources it offers.... Read 56 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1320

• Average ACT 29

• Carroll Independent School District, TX•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  497 reviews

Senior: One of the best School District in Texas. One mascot for the whole district. School pride starts in Elementary school level and continues throughout High School. Wonderful Teachers and Staff. Top rated athletes. Several AP Classes and a few duel classes. Lots of State Titles in every sport except Softball. Great Robotics, STEM,Debate, Art & Theater Department. Gifted and Talented program is excellent. Lots of Student clubs, community activities to join. Some cons would be having to shuffle between High and Senior High Schools( not all classes available at one school). Not enough parking spaces for students at Senior High. Very competitive school district both academically and athletically. Which adds a lot of pressure and stress on the students. Bullying issues aren’t taken seriously. Victims told to walk away or ignored them. No really punishment for the bullies. Hopefully that will change soon.... Read 497 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 30

• Fort Bend Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  840 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 840 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1360

• Average ACT 30

• Round Rock, TX•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  69 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 69 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1260

• Average ACT 29

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  1,299 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 1,299 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 30

• 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+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1330

• Average ACT 29

• Coppell Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  883 reviews

Junior: Coppell High School is an excellent school! Although I only attended it for a year (during my junior year), it was one of the most fun experiences of my high school years. Not only does CHS have one of the best sports teams, the trainers, coaches, teachers, and parents are all very supportive. Academically speaking, Coppell is excellent. Teachers are always available for tutoring in the morning prior to classes or after school. Any time I faced difficulties in class, my teachers were always willing to explain the concepts again. Teachers went above and beyond to help students. For example, prior to a summative assessment, one of my teachers would be sure to hold a review session during tutoring hours. This sentiment of making students feel comfortable to ask for help when they need it made my entire academic experience great! In terms of extracurricular activities and clubs, there were many different clubs one could join especially ones related to certain cultures. CHS is a 10/10!... Read 883 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1350

• Average ACT 29

• Alief Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  594 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 594 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1220

• Average ACT 26

• Leander Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  479 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 479 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1300

• Average ACT 30

• Katy Independent School District, TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.25 out of 5  397 reviews

Senior: Overall a great school! Our motto is "make it a great day to be a falcon," meaning make everyday worthwhile. Embrace the small achievements everyday, and strive for excellence everyday. Which is what most of the days at Tompkins feel like. The teachers are great and they care about their students and their success, so if you ever struggling and need help ask you teacher, they will most likely be willing to work with you to get better. As much as the school is academically strong it is also really strong in sports. With almost every sport making districts and state. The academic competition is very strong here, and you have to work pretty hard to get good grades, but if you are struggling the staff and even students are willing to help. I personally was apart of the schools marching band, and even that was a strong program, supported by the school administration.... Read 397 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1290

• Average ACT 30

• Westlake, TX•

• Public School•

• K-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  129 reviews

Parent: This school is a great fit for my kids but it’s not for everyone. In our experience the academic aspect is very strong. I like that the teachers don’t just teach to the staar like surrounding districts. However, it appears most teachers are still covering the staar material as 2 of my kids received perfect scores on the math and reading staar several times. The sports and extracurricular activities are limited compared to surrounding districts but most people who choose this school are aware of this and don’t expect the same. We actually prefer the low-key aspect of the sports since it allows kids the opportunity to be on their school team in sports they might not have a lot of prior experience in. Most the teachers and administrators have been very responsive when I have a concern. It seems some people who have issues don’t really research what the IB curriculum is actually like or what sports and extracurricular programs are offered before choosing to send kids here. Surprising.... Read 129 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1310

• Average ACT 30

• Northside Independent School District (San Antonio), TX•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.21 out of 5  642 reviews

Senior: The environment at Health Careers is so supportive, and the teachers truly care about students and their success. The students at this school take their academics seriously but also motivate and help each other out. Health Careers also has many unique traditions, which make this high school experience so unique! The school challenges it’s students, enabling them to succeed in college and beyond.... Read 642 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1250

• Average ACT 29

• Dallas, TX•

• Public School•

• 11-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  917 reviews

Senior: My time at Richland Collegiate High School has truly been an unforgettable journey. The highlight undoubtedly lies in the exposure to college-level courses, priming me for the higher education adventure. The professors' dedication and the immersive learning environment enriched my academic experience profoundly. However, the scarcity of extracurricular options posed a drawback, constraining the holistic development I had envisioned. Expanding the spectrum of clubs and sports would significantly enhance not only our academic voyage but also our social growth. Here's to hoping for a more vibrant and comprehensive educational chapter ahead! Here's to hoping for a more vibrant and comprehensive educational chapter ahead!... Read 917 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Average SAT 1170

• Average ACT 25