Needs Improvement
#7916 of 8,552 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
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher
11:1
Score
3.6
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Texas schools
#7,916 of 8,552
In Irving
#43 of 52
public schools
In district
#28 of 36
IRVING ISD
Shortlisting around Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?
Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center
High School in Irving · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Pierce Early Childhood
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Irving H S
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center
Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center is a public high school in Irving, TX, part of IRVING ISD. Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 11:1 student-teacher ratio. Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #7,916 of 8,552 schools in TX.
Structured state assessment records for Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center show 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.1
- TX avg 6.3
What Parents Should Know
Test scores at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
83% of students at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center — Students at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center score 8% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
80.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX STAAR (2023-24)
Based on 28 test records from TX state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 6.0/10.
How Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center Compares
See how Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 8.6/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Dallas), which scores notably higher. Additionally, IRVING H S (rated 4.6/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores slightly 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 | 3.4 |
| IRVING H S Irving | 0.3 mi | 4.6 |
| KEYES EL Irving | 0.6 mi | 3.6 |
| AUSTIN MIDDLE Irving | 0.5 mi | 5.6 |
| LORENZO DE ZAVALA MIDDLE Irving | 0.5 mi | 6.5 |
| CHILDRENS DISCOVERY CENTER Irving | 0.8 mi | — |
| GOOD EL Irving | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| BOWIE MIDDLE Irving | 1.0 mi | 5.6 |
| HALEY J EL Irving | 1.0 mi | 2.9 |
| BRITAIN EL Irving | 1.2 mi | 3.0 |
| GILBERT F M EL Irving | 1.0 mi | 7.5 |
| REDEEMER MONTESSORI SCHOOL Irving | 1.5 mi | 7.5 |
| UNIVERSAL ACADEMY Irving | 1.6 mi | 7.3 |
| LIVELY EL Irving | 1.5 mi | 3.8 |
| FARINE EL Irving | 1.7 mi | 5.8 |
| UPLIFT EDUCATION - INFINITY PREPARATORY PRI Dallas | 1.7 mi | 7.8 |
| UPLIFT EDUCATION - INFINITY PREPARATORY MIDDLE SCH Dallas | 1.7 mi | 4.2 |
| UPLIFT INFINITY H S Dallas | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| LIBERTY H S Houston, TX | 3.6 |
| ST AUGUSTINE HIGH SCHOOL Laredo, TX | 3.6 |
| TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH Farmers Branch, TX | 3.7 |
| TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - GRANT EAST Dallas, TX | 3.7 |
| TEXANS CAN ACADEMY - HOUSTON SOUTHWEST Houston, TX | 3.5 |
| TRIUMPH PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS-LUBBOCK Lubbock, TX | 3.7 |
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 ranks #7,916 of 8,552 schools in TX.
What is Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Barbara Cardwell Career Preparatory Center has 49% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 82.5%
- Phone
- (972) 600-6140
- 4-Year Graduation
- 84.0%
Resources & Links
District
IRVING ISD- District Enrollment
- 31,485
- Schools in District
- 38
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,187
- District Rank
- #28 of 36
Other Schools in This District
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 rateRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Texas 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best School Districts to Move To in 2026: A Data-Driven Guidebest schools
- Best Schools in Austin, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Dallas, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Fort Worth, TX — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.