Houston’s public education system received positive ratings, with two Houston Independent School District (HISD) high schools cracking the top 100 in the prestigious U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best High Schools rankings.
“The 2024 Best High Schools rankings provide a valuable starting point for parents to understand a school’s academic performance. This accessible data empowers families as they navigate the educational landscape and plan for their children’s futures.”
LaMont Jones
Carnegie Vanguard High School is leading the charge, claiming the No. 31 spot nationally. This impressive feat marks continued improvement for Carnegie Vanguard, which climbed from No. 35 last year to No. 40 in 2022. The school also boasts national rankings of No. 248 for best STEM high schools and No. 12 for best magnet high schools.
DeBakey High School for Health Professions also garnered national recognition, placing No. 70 among the best high schools. While DeBakey dipped slightly from its No. 66 ranking last year, it remains a top contender, securing the No. 19 spot for best magnet high schools.
U.S. News utilizes a rigorous methodology to determine its annual rankings. Six key factors are considered: college readiness, student performance on advanced exams (AP, IB, and state standardized tests), graduation rates, and academic outcomes for underserved student populations (Black, Hispanic, and low-income students). Data for the 2024 rankings is based on 2021-2022 academic year scores.
LaMont Jones, Ed.D., Managing Editor of Education at U.S. News, emphasizes the value these rankings offer parents. “The 2024 Best High Schools rankings provide a valuable starting point for parents to understand a school’s academic performance,” Jones stated. “This accessible data empowers families as they navigate the educational landscape and plan for their children’s futures.”
Carnegie Vanguard High School is a magnet school specifically designed for gifted and talented students. Nearly 96% of the graduating class of 2022 went on to college, boasting the highest enrollment rate among all HISD schools.
DeBakey High School for Health Professions provides hands-on medical training and a preceptorship program with Texas Medical Center. The school boasts the second-highest college enrollment rate in the district, with 94.3% of its 2022 graduates entering higher education.
While Carnegie Vanguard and DeBakey led the pack, six other HISD high schools landed spots within the top 50 public schools in Texas. These schools include:
-Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts
-Challenge Early College High School
-Young Women’s College Prep Academy
-Eastwood Academy, Houston Academy for International Studies
-East Early College High School
Here is the list of Houston-area schools that rank among Texas’ 100:
-No. 24 – Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts, Houston ISD
-No. 25 – Challenge Early College High School, Houston ISD
-No. 29 – Young Women's College Prep Academy, Houston ISD
-No. 32 – Eastwood Academy, Houston ISD
-No. 37 – Harmony School of Innovation - Katy, Katy
-No. 40 – Kerr High School, Alief ISD, Houston
-No. 43 – Houston Academy for International Studies, Houston ISD
-No. 47 – East Early College High School, Houston ISD
-No. 59 – Clear Horizons Early College High School, Clear Creek ISD, Houston
-No. 61 – Seven Lakes High School, Katy ISD
-No. 63 – Early College Academy at Southridge, Spring ISD, Houston
-No. 68 – KIPP Houston High School, Houston
-No. 70 – North Houston Early College High School, Houston ISD
-No. 71 – Victory Early College High School, Aldine ISD, Houston
-No. 75 – Tompkins High School, Katy ISD
-No. 76 – Clements High School, Fort Bend ISD, Sugar Land
-No. 82 – Sharpstown International School, Houston ISD
-No. 85 – Tomball Star Academy, Tomball ISD
-No. 89 – Westchester Academy for International Studies, Spring Branch ISD, Houston
-No. 95 – Harmony School of Innovation - Sugar Land, Sugar Land
-No. 97 – Harmony School of Discovery - Houston, Houston
-No. 98 – Energy Institute High School, Houston ISD
