Understanding School Performance in North Texas
How well is your North Texas school serving its students? New rankings from the nonprofit Children at Risk provide the latest review of academic performance in the region, particularly at low-income schools. The statewide advocacy group, which has graded Texas’ schools for the past 20 years, largely bases its annual index on how well students perform on STAAR tests. It awards A through F grades after taking into account school performance, academic growth, and college readiness.
Schools can receive a Gold Ribbon designation if they have both high academic performance and high poverty levels. This designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of teachers, administrators, and students in these schools.
Related
The Education Lab
Methodology and Rankings
Magnet schools and those with selective entrance criteria typically top the list. This year’s index also showed signs of schools with large economically disadvantaged populations improving. Nearly twice as many public schools received a Gold Ribbon in the 2024-25 school year compared to the year prior. Children at Risk’s rankings — which are similar to the Texas Education Agency’s annual A-F accountability grades — give families a chance to have their schools evaluated by an independent group.
TEA’s methodology is similar to the nonprofit’s, which heavily relies on STAAR tests. The state’s official grades, however, have come under scrutiny and were held up in court in recent years after districts sued over the way the agency administers STAAR tests.
Related
Access to Rankings and Reports
Children at Risk’s full report is expected to be released later today. Families can explore the North Texas rankings below.
High school
Middle school
Elementary school
About the DMN Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Conclusion
Understanding school performance is crucial for families, educators, and the community as a whole. By providing independent rankings and evaluations, Children at Risk and the DMN Education Lab aim to promote transparency and accountability in education. As the full report is released, it is essential for stakeholders to engage with the findings and work together to improve academic outcomes for all students in North Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the basis for Children at Risk’s school rankings?
A: Children at Risk’s rankings are based on how well students perform on STAAR tests, as well as school performance, academic growth, and college readiness.
Q: What is the Gold Ribbon designation?
A: The Gold Ribbon designation is awarded to schools that have both high academic performance and high poverty levels, recognizing their exceptional work in supporting disadvantaged students.
Q: How can I access the North Texas school rankings?
A: Families can explore the North Texas rankings on the Children at Risk website or through the DMN Education Lab’s coverage.
Q: What is the DMN Education Lab?
A: The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative that provides in-depth coverage of education issues in North Texas, with a focus on urgent and critical topics.
