Best High Schools
in Houston, Texas
We ranked all 141 high schools in Houston. The top 25 scored between 7.5 and 9.0 out of 10.
Updated for 2026 · Based on NCES and Texas education data
Houston's high school landscape spans 118 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across one of the country's largest metros. Energy Institute High School leads the group with a 9.0 out of 10, followed closely by Kinder High School for Performing and Visual Arts at 8.7 and three additional schools scoring 8.5 or higher. The average composite score across all ranked schools sits at 6.4 out of 10, meaning standout options exist well above the metro norm. Thirty-seven schools — 31% of the total — score 7 or higher, so strong performers aren't concentrated in just one corner of the region. The table below covers all 118 schools with sortable data on academics, student outcomes, and more. Whether you're weighing a specialized program like a P-TECH pathway or a performing arts focus, sorting and filtering the table is the fastest way to find schools that fit your priorities.
ENERGY INSTITUTE H S
LUTHERAN HIGH NORTH
KINDER H S FOR PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS
Score Distribution
Where the top 25 schools fall on a 1-10 scale
How We Ranked Houston's High Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%) measures standardized test performance in math and reading. Student Growth (20%) tracks improvement over time. Equity (15%) evaluates how well a school serves all student groups. Environment (15%) considers class size, spending, and attendance. All scores are computed within Texas so schools are compared to peers in the same state. See our full methodology.
All 25 Rankings
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENERGY INSTITUTE H S HOUSTON ISD | 9.0 |
| 2 | LUTHERAN HIGH NORTH | 8.8 |
| 3 | KINDER H S FOR PERFORMING AND VISUAL ARTS HOUSTON ISD | 8.7 |
| 4 | KIPP EAST END H S Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 8.5 |
| 5 | WESTCHESTER ACADEMY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES Charter SPRING BRANCH ISD | 8.5 |
| 6 | AVALOS P-TECH SCHOOL ALDINE ISD | 8.4 |
| 7 | MEMORIAL H S SPRING BRANCH ISD | 8.3 |
| 8 | CYPRESS CREEK H S CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD | 8.2 |
| 9 | LANGHAM CREEK H S CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD | 8.2 |
| 10 | DEBAKEY H S FOR HEALTH PROF HOUSTON ISD | 8.2 |
| 11 | INCARNATE WORD ACADEMY | 8.2 |
| 12 | KIPP GENERATIONS COLLEGIATE Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 8.1 |
| 13 | JERSEY VILLAGE H S CYPRESS-FAIRBANKS ISD | 8.1 |
| 14 | MOUNT CARMEL ACADEMY Charter HOUSTON ISD | 8.0 |
| 15 | KIPP SUNNYSIDE H S Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7.9 |
| 16 | KIPP NORTHEAST COLLEGE PREPARATORY Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7.9 |
| 17 | KIPP HOUSTON H S Charter KIPP TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | 7.8 |
| 18 | CHAVEZ H S HOUSTON ISD | 7.8 |
| 19 | THE GATEWAY ACADEMY | 7.8 |
| 20 | HEIGHTS H S HOUSTON ISD | 7.6 |
| 21 | CARNEGIE VANGUARD H S HOUSTON ISD | 7.6 |
| 22 | XAVIER EDUCATIONAL ACADEMY | 7.6 |
| 23 | LAMAR H S HOUSTON ISD | 7.5 |
| 24 | YATES H S HOUSTON ISD | 7.5 |
| 25 | WESTSIDE H S HOUSTON ISD | 7.5 |
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 Houston
Pins are color-coded by score: green (7+), yellow (4-6.9), red (below 4). Click a pin for details.
School Spotlights: Houston's Top 10 High Schools
Choosing the Right High School in Houston
Rankings identify schools with the strongest measurable outcomes, but the right school for your family depends on more than a number. Houston's high school landscape is one of the most diverse in Texas, with 141 schools spanning 55 school districts, plus 36 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 Houston, Texas?
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, ENERGY INSTITUTE H S is the top-rated high school in Houston with a composite score of 9.0/10. The score is based on academic performance, student growth, equity, and school environment.
How many high schools are in Houston, Texas?
Houston has 141 high schools, including 36 charter schools. Of these, 131 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
What is the average high school rating in Houston?
The average composite score for Houston high schools is 6.4/10. 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 based on four components: Academic Achievement (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and School Environment (15%). 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 Houston high school rankings?
Yes. Houston has 36 charter high schools, and they are ranked alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.