School Rankings in Houston: A Comprehensive Analysis
Houston, Texas – Children at Risk, a non-profit organization, has released its annual school ratings for the 2023-2024 school year. The organization uses a detailed method to evaluate school performance, focusing on academic achievement, student growth, and college readiness.
Methodology
The organization assesses academic achievement by standardized test scores in subjects like math and reading. Student growth tracks how much progress students make over a year, highlighting schools that support learning effectively. College readiness is evaluated by looking at graduation rates and the number of students taking advanced courses like AP or IB programs.
School Climate and Demographics
Children at Risk considers factors like school climate, which includes attendance and discipline, and student demographics to ensure fair assessment of schools serving disadvantaged communities.
2023-2024 School Rankings
This year’s rankings include 1,502 schools, with an increase in charter schools. The top 100 ranked schools are a mix of public and charter schools, with one-fifth of them belonging to the Houston Independent School District.
Top-Performing Schools in Houston
Carnegie High School took the top spot in high school performances, and T.H. Rogers, which serves students with severe disabilities along with gifted and talented children, took the number one spot in the area for top-performing middle and elementary schools.
Katy, Spring Branch, and Fort Bend ISDs also had campuses ranked in the top 100 list.
What’s Included in the Rankings
The following factors are included in the rankings:
- Student Achievement: How students perform on state standardized tests (STAAR)
- Campus Performance: How a school compares in test scores to schools with similar levels of poverty
- Student Growth: How students improve on their STAAR tests in a school year
- College Readiness: High schools only. How many high school students are graduating on time and participating in other college readiness activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many schools are included in the 2023-2024 school rankings?
A: 1,502 schools are included in the rankings.
Q: What is the focus of the school rankings?
A: The school rankings focus on academic achievement, student growth, and college readiness.
Q: How does the organization assess school climate and demographics?
A: The organization assesses school climate by looking at attendance and discipline, and student demographics to ensure fair assessment of schools serving disadvantaged communities.
Q: What is the purpose of the school rankings?
A: The purpose of the school rankings is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of school performance and to help parents and educators make informed decisions about education.
