Best Schools in Carthage, Texas
8 schools · 2 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 1 Other
Choosing a school in Carthage?
Use this page to compare every school in Carthage by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Carthage H S
High · Carthage ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Panola Early College H S
High · Panola Charter School. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Carthage J H
Middle · Carthage ISD. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Carthage for 2026 are Carthage H S (8.1/10), Panola Early College H S (7.5/10), and Carthage J H (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 6 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$150,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
Schools
8
7 public · 1 private
Avg Score
6.8
out of 10
Median Home
$150,400
home value · ACS
Districts
2
serving the city
STAAR proficiency rose +6.2 points from 2022 to 2024. That's the biggest jump among Carthage schools across the two most recent comparable testing years.
Top-Rated Schools in Carthage
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (6 of 8). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carthage H S | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Panola Early College H S | 7.5 / 10 |
| 3 | Carthage J H | 7.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Libby EL | 7.0 / 10 |
| 5 | Baker-koonce Int | 6.2 / 10 |
| 6 | Northside Christian Academy | 5.3 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.8/10
- Median household income
- $63,960
- Median home value
- $150,400
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 20%
- Avg commute
- 24 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 76%
57% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Carthage compares
Texas rank
#243 of 654
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.6
above Texas avg (6.3)
Median household income
$64k
86% of Texas median
Schools in this city
7
About Schools in Carthage, Texas
Carthage, Texas is home to 8 schools, including 7 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 2 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.8 out of 10, schools in Carthage show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Carthage is Carthage H S with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Carthage is served by 2 school districts: PANOLA CHARTER SCHOOL, CARTHAGE ISD. These districts collectively serve 2,767 students.
Carthage's community shows 20% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $63,960. The poverty rate in the area is 10.5%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 383 students · 2nd–3rd | 7.0 |
| 2 | 501 students · Pre-K–1st | 6.5 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 374 students · 7th–8th | 7.3 |
| 2 | 552 students · 4th–6th | 6.2 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 788 students · 9th–12th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 47 students · 8th–12th | 7.5 |
| 3 | 29 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northside Christian Academy
Private
35 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.3 |
Schools in Carthage
Carthage, Texas · 8 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$63,960
Median Home Value
$150,400
Median Rent
$774/mo
Population
12,999
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
76%
Avg Commute
24 min
Poverty Rate
10.5%
Community Profile
Carthage has a median household income of $63,960. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $150,400, with a median rent of $774/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.5%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Texas
- Elementary
- 2
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Other
- 1
Resources
School Districts (2)
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Texas
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Carthage, Texas
How many schools are in Carthage, Texas?
Carthage has 8 schools, including 7 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Carthage, Texas?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Carthage is 6.8 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Carthage, Texas?
The top-ranked school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage H S with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Carthage, Texas?
The top-ranked elementary school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Libby EL with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Carthage, Texas?
The top-ranked middle school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage J H with a composite score of 7.3/10.
What is the best high school in Carthage, Texas?
The top-ranked high school in Carthage on MySchoolScout is Carthage H S with a composite score of 8.1/10.
How many school districts serve Carthage, Texas?
Carthage is served by 2 school districts: Panola Charter School, Carthage ISD.
What is the education level in Carthage, Texas?
According to Census data, 20% of adults in Carthage have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Carthage, Texas?
The median household income in Carthage is approximately $63,960 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Carthage, Texas?
Yes, Carthage has 1 private school alongside 7 public schools. The top-rated private school is Northside Christian Academy with a score of 5.3/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Carthage, Texas?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Carthage is 14.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Carthage, Texas?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Texas Education Agency, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.