Majority of Houston-area high schools saw SAT score declines, data shows
High schools in Houston continue to see SAT score drops Since the average scores for the Class of 2024 in Texas are behind the national average.
Only 91 of 226 schools in the Houston area, including charter schools, improved their average SAT score from 2023 to 2024. Some of the best performers were schools for gifted and talented students in Spring Branch and Houston ISDs, as well as comprehensive high schools in Fort Bend and Katy ISDs.
The district’s falling scores mirror the post-pandemic trend across the state and country. Recently released data from the Texas Education Agency shows that graduating seniors from public and nonpublic high schools earned an average total SAT score. 971 in 2024It marks at least six consecutive years of decline statewide.
Nationally, the average score also dropped in 2024, according to the College Board, which administers the widely used standardized test for college admissions.
2024 REGION RANKINGS: SAT scores in Houston and Texas continue to decline, lagging the national average, new data shows
Even though there’s no evidence the SAT is getting harder, scores are down across the country three consecutive yearsThe University Board said.
Some experts believe one factor is the learning loss that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the College BoardThese score declines are part of a post-pandemic trend observed in other national assessments, including the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Best and worst high schools ranked by SAT scores
The top-performing schools were Spring Branch ISD’s Spring Branch Academic Institute and Houston ISD’s Carnegie Vanguard High School, which received combined average scores of 1,478 and 1,350, respectively. Both schools accept gifted and talented students and also announced the highest average scores for the Class of 2023.
Next on the list were HISD’s DeBakey High School with 1,292 points; Fort Bend ISD’s Clements High School with 1236; and Katy ISD’s Seven Lakes High School with 1236.
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Among low-performing schools, Aldine ISD’s Hall Success Academy and Spring ISD’s Momentum High School had the lowest average scores for the Class of 2024, at 689 and 737, respectively. Other schools with the lowest SAT scores include HISD’s North Forest High School; HCC Middle College High School in Gulfton; and Wheatley High School – all with scores below 750.
Both Hall Success Academy and North Forest High School made the list of the 10 lowest-rated schools for the class of 2023.
last five years
Only 18 of 212 schools in the Houston area have increased their average SAT score in the past five years.
Schools in HISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Pasadena ISD and Goose Creek CISD saw declines of more than 15%. In Goose Creek, Lee High School’s average SAT score dropped from 1,074 to 869 between 2020 and 2024; this is a 19% decrease.
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Both Houston and Cy-Fair ISDs have seen their districtwide average scores decline over the past five years of testing. Between 2020 and 2024, HISD’s score dropped 50 points, while CyFair ISD dropped 143 points.
This article was first published at: Most Houston-area high schools saw SAT score declines, data shows.
