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Below Average

#7464 of 8,547 schools in TX

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center

High School · IRVING ISD

101 E UNION BOWER RD, Irving, TX 75061

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

11:1

Score

4.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Irving

#29 of 52

public schools

Texas high schools

#1,625 of 1,699

In district

#16 of 36

IRVING ISD

School environment

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center serves 274 students in grades 9-12 as an alternative high school in Irving, Texas. With 25 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an intimate learning environment with an 11-to-1 student-teacher ratio, allowing for more personalized attention than many traditional high schools. The school has earned recognition for its performance, ranking #765 out of 8,598 schools in Texas and placing in the 91st percentile statewide.

MySchoolScout rates the school 7.3 out of 10, reflecting its effectiveness in serving students who may benefit from an alternative educational approach. As a career preparatory center, the school focuses on preparing students for post-graduation success through specialized programming designed for students seeking alternatives to traditional high school settings. The smaller class sizes and dedicated staff create opportunities for individualized support and mentoring.

The school is located in Dallas County's 75061 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $58,236 and median home value is $202,900. The surrounding community of 56,319 residents includes families from diverse economic backgrounds, with 16% holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 15.1%. Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center operates within Irving's large city setting, providing specialized educational services to students across the Dallas metropolitan area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress4.3Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-8.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics3.0Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Overall Proficiency18%
Expected (poverty-adj.)30%
vs. Expected-11.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness2.8Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation6.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment8.9Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,024

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center — Students at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

80.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 40.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 12.0%
School
State
N/A

Based on 4 test records from TX state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
57%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
12%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 4.3/10.

How Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center Compares

See how Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
13th percentile in TX
Academic
3.0/10
3.0/10
Growth
4.3/10
Below average
Environment
8.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
80%
Teaching Staff
11:1 student-teacher ratio
25 teachers

Location

101 E UNION BOWER RD, Irving, TX 75061

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. UPLIFT INFINITY H S (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Dallas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IRVING H S (rated 5.8/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Irving, see our Irving schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
PIERCE EARLY CHILDHOOD Irving 0.2 mi 5.0
IRVING H S Irving 0.3 mi 5.8
KEYES EL Irving 0.6 mi 3.1
AUSTIN MIDDLE Irving 0.5 mi 5.1
LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE Irving 0.5 mi 5.9
CHILDRENS DISCOVERY CENTER Irving 0.8 mi
GOOD EL Irving 0.9 mi 3.0
BOWIE MIDDLE Irving 1.0 mi 5.1
HALEY J EL Irving 1.0 mi 2.8
BRITAIN EL Irving 1.2 mi 3.4
GILBERT F M EL Irving 1.0 mi 4.2
REDEEMER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Irving 1.5 mi 7.5
UNIVERSAL ACADEMY Irving 1.6 mi 6.1
LIVELY EL Irving 1.5 mi 3.7
FARINE EL Irving 1.7 mi 3.8
UPLIFT EDUCATION - INFINITY PREPARATORY PRI Dallas 1.7 mi 3.4
UPLIFT EDUCATION - INFINITY PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCH Dallas 1.7 mi 3.5
UPLIFT INFINITY H S Dallas 1.7 mi 8.2
THE SLOAN SCHOOL Irving 1.9 mi 7.0
WESLEYAN ACADEME Irving 1.7 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 75061 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,260

Median Home Value

$228,400

Median Rent

$1,292/mo

Population

55,839

College Educated

16.6%

Homeownership

40.4%

Avg Commute

25.7 min

Poverty Rate

16.8%

Median Age

32

Community Profile

The community surrounding Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has a median household income of $61,260. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $228,400, with a median rent of $1,292/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.8%. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
GAME DEVELOPMENT DESIGN SCHOOL AT BURLESON ISD Burleson, TX 4.4
MONTE ALTO H S Monte Alto, TX 4.4
EVOLUTION ACADEMY BEAUMONT Richardson, TX 4.5
TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - GRANT EAST Dallas, TX 4.5
TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - HOUSTON NORTH Houston, TX 4.5
EAST CENTRAL CAST LEAD H S San Antonio, TX 4.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center

What grades does Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center serve?

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?

The student-teacher ratio at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is 11:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center rank in TX?

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is ranked #7464 out of 8,547 schools in TX.

What is Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center's MySchoolScout rating?

Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has a composite rating of 4.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has 40.8% math proficiency and 12.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center a charter school?

No, Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center a Title I school?

No, Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?

80.3% of students at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

City Safety
High (2,478/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Irving). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Teachers (FTE)
25
Free/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
Type
alternative
Setting
Large City
County
Dallas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

IRVING ISD
District Enrollment
31,485
Schools in District
38
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,187
District Rank
#16 of 36

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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