Best High Schools
in Fort Worth, Texas
We ranked the 44 high schools in Fort Worth with real test data. The top 25 scored between 4.8 and 8.9 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Texas education data
The short answer
The top-rated high schools in Fort Worth for 2026 are Reach H S (8.9/10), Young Women's Leadership Academy (8.3/10), and James M Steele Early College H S (7.8/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 44 rated high schools. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Choosing a high school in Fort Worth?
Every high school in Fort Worth is scored 1–10 on the same four measures. Use the ranking to build a shortlist, then weigh the tradeoffs a single score can't capture.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Reach H S
Fort Worth, TX. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Young Women's Leadership Academy
Fort Worth, TX. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
James M Steele Early College H S
Fort Worth, TX. Start here, then open the profile to compare commute, district context, and score components.
Fort Worth's 42 ranked high schools span a wide range of performance, with an average composite score of 6.0/10 — but the top of the table pulls well above that mark. IM Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA leads the city at 9.0/10, followed by Elmer C. Watson High School at 8.2 and Young Women's Leadership Academy at 8.1. Western Hills and Timber Creek round out the top five. Only 11 schools — about 26% of those ranked — clear the 7.0 threshold, so strong performers are worth identifying before you start scheduling visits. The table below covers all 42 schools and can be sorted by overall score, enrollment, and other factors. Use it to narrow the field based on what matters most to your student, whether that's academic rigor, specific program focus, or proximity to home.
Reach H S
Young Women's Leadership Academy
James M Steele Early College H S
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Fort Worth's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 with weights that vary by school level: Student Growth tracks improvement over time and counts most in elementary and middle grades. Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement measures standardized test performance in math and reading against socioeconomic expectations. Environment considers class size, spending, and attendance. College Readiness joins the composite for high schools. Equity data is shown for context but is not factored into the score. All scores are computed within Texas so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
Top 25 of 44 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reach H S CASTLEBERRY ISD | 8.9 |
| 2 | Young Women's Leadership Academy FORT WORTH ISD | 8.3 |
| 3 | James M Steele Early College H S NORTHWEST ISD | 7.8 |
| 4 | Tarrant Co College South/fort Worth Collegiate H S FORT WORTH ISD | 7.7 |
| 5 | Texas Academy of Biomedical FORT WORTH ISD | 7.5 |
| 6 | Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts Charter FORT WORTH ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS | 7.3 |
| 7 | Cristo Rey Fort Worth College Prep | 7.3 |
| 8 | Harmony School of Innovation - Fort Worth Charter HARMONY PUBLIC SCHOOLS - NORTH TEXAS | 7.1 |
| 9 | Elmer C Watson H S EAGLE MT-SAGINAW ISD | 7.0 |
| 10 | Marine Creek Collegiate H S FORT WORTH ISD | 7.0 |
| 11 | Timber Creek H S KELLER ISD | 6.9 |
| 12 | Nolan Catholic High School | 6.7 |
| 13 | Young Men's Leadership Academy FORT WORTH ISD | 6.6 |
| 14 | Im Terrell Academy for Stem and Vpa FORT WORTH ISD | 6.6 |
| 15 | Boswell H S EAGLE MT-SAGINAW ISD | 6.5 |
| 16 | V R Eaton H S NORTHWEST ISD | 6.1 |
| 17 | Chisholm Trail H S EAGLE MT-SAGINAW ISD | 5.9 |
| 18 | Paschal H S FORT WORTH ISD | 5.5 |
| 19 | Benbrook Middle/high School FORT WORTH ISD | 5.4 |
| 20 | Castleberry H S CASTLEBERRY ISD | 5.3 |
| 21 | South Hills H S FORT WORTH ISD | 5.3 |
| 22 | World Languages Institute FORT WORTH ISD | 5.3 |
| 23 | North Crowley H S CROWLEY ISD | 5.1 |
| 24 | Cassata High School | 4.9 |
| 25 | Iltexas Keller Saginaw H S Charter INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP OF TEXAS (ILTEXAS) | 4.8 |
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Texas education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Texas. Learn about our methodology.
Map: Top 25 High Schools in Fort Worth
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Fort Worth's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Fort Worth
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Fort Worth's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Texas, with 55 schools spanning 27 school districts, plus 7 charter schools offering alternative approaches.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high school in Fort Worth, Texas?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Reach H S is the top-rated high school in Fort Worth with a composite score of 8.9/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
How many high schools are in Fort Worth, Texas?
Fort Worth has 55 high schools, including 7 charter schools. Of these, 48 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Fort Worth?
The average composite score for Fort Worth high schools is 5.3/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Texas).
How does MySchoolScout rate high schools?
Each school receives a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Texas, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
What is a good school rating on MySchoolScout?
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Texas, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Are charter schools included in the Fort Worth high school rankings?
Yes. Fort Worth has 7 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.