Average
#5006 of 8,547 schools in TX
Big Sandy H S
High School · BIG SANDY ISD
P O BOX 598, Big Sandy, TX 75755
Enrollment
188
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
188
Student-Teacher
9:1
Score
5.9
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Big Sandy
#7 of 7
public schools
Texas high schools
#1,214 of 1,699
In district
#3 of 3
BIG SANDY ISD
School environment
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About Big Sandy H S
Big Sandy High School serves 188 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Big Sandy, Texas. This small public high school maintains an impressive 9.0:1 student-teacher ratio with 21 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention and close relationships between students and faculty. The school has earned recognition for its performance, achieving a MySchoolScout rating of 7.3 out of 10 and ranking #209 out of 8,598 schools statewide, placing it in the 98th percentile among Texas high schools.
This strong ranking reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its small size. Big Sandy High School operates in a close-knit rural setting where the median household income is $52,913 and median home values are $106,100. The surrounding community of 4,982 residents includes families from diverse economic backgrounds, with about 21% of households facing economic challenges.
While only 11% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, the school's outstanding state ranking suggests it provides students with solid preparation for their post-graduation goals. The intimate scale of Big Sandy High School, combined with its rural Texas location in Upshur County, creates an environment where students can receive individualized support while being part of a tight-knit educational community.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 188 students, Big Sandy H S is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
With a student-teacher ratio of 9:1, Big Sandy H S offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Located in a rural area, Big Sandy H S may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Big Sandy H S — Students at Big Sandy H S score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)
Based on 4 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: 8.0/10.
How Big Sandy H S Compares
See how Big Sandy H S performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 24.5% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 44.5% (2021).
Location
P O BOX 598, Big Sandy, TX 75755
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Big Sandy H S may also want to explore other high schools in the area. UNION GROVE H S (rated 8.4/10, 11.0 miles away, in nearby Gladewater), which scores notably higher. Another option is GILMER H S (rated 7.6/10, 13.4 miles away, in nearby Gilmer), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HAWKINS H S / MIDDLE (rated 7.4/10, 5.7 miles away, in nearby Hawkins), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Big Sandy, see our Big Sandy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 13.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BIG SANDY EL Big Sandy | 0.0 mi | 8.1 |
| BIG SANDY J H Big Sandy | 0.0 mi | 8.7 |
| TRINITY CHARTER SCHOOLS - BIG SANDY CAMPUS Big Sandy | 2.4 mi | — |
| HAWKINS EL Hawkins | 5.7 mi | 8.0 |
| HAWKINS H S / MIDDLE Hawkins | 5.7 mi | 7.4 |
| WINONA EL Winona | 7.6 mi | 4.8 |
| WINONA H S Winona | 7.8 mi | 6.9 |
| WINONA MIDDLE Winona | 7.8 mi | 9.3 |
| GLADEWATER H S Gladewater | 9.0 mi | 6.6 |
| HARMONY EL Big Sandy | 11.5 mi | 9.1 |
| HARMONY J H Big Sandy | 11.5 mi | 8.3 |
| HARMONY H S Big Sandy | 11.5 mi | 6.9 |
| HARMONY INT Big Sandy | 11.6 mi | 8.5 |
| GLADEWATER MIDDLE Gladewater | 10.5 mi | 7.6 |
| WELDON EL Gladewater | 10.5 mi | 6.3 |
| GLADEWATER PRI Gladewater | 10.4 mi | 8.3 |
| UNION GROVE H S Gladewater | 11.0 mi | 8.4 |
| UNION GROVE J H Gladewater | 11.0 mi | 9.3 |
| UNION GROVE EL Gladewater | 11.0 mi | 7.2 |
| GILMER H S Gilmer | 13.4 mi | 7.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 75755 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$58,227
Median Home Value
$108,800
Median Rent
$896/mo
Population
4,863
College Educated
10.8%
Homeownership
72.1%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
17.9%
Median Age
38.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Big Sandy H S has a median household income of $58,227. It is a community where 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $108,800, with a median rent of $896/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| AXTELL H S Axtell, TX | 5.9 |
| COLORADO RIVER COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Bastrop, TX | 5.9 |
| GARZA INDEPENDENCE H S Austin, TX | 5.9 |
| HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC ACADEMY Amarillo, TX | 5.9 |
| LONE STAR H S CENTRAL Mart, TX | 5.9 |
| LONE STAR H S SOUTHEAST Giddings, TX | 5.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Big Sandy H S
What grades does Big Sandy H S serve?
Big Sandy H S serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Big Sandy H S?
Big Sandy H S has an enrollment of approximately 188 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy H S?
The student-teacher ratio at Big Sandy H S is 9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Big Sandy H S rank in TX?
Big Sandy H S is ranked #5006 out of 8,547 schools in TX.
What is Big Sandy H S's MySchoolScout rating?
Big Sandy H S has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Big Sandy H S?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Big Sandy H S has 28.3% math proficiency and 45.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Big Sandy H S a charter school?
No, Big Sandy H S is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Big Sandy H S a Title I school?
No, Big Sandy H S is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Big Sandy H S?
67.0% of students at Big Sandy H S qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,199/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Big Sandy). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 188
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 9:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 21
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Upshur County
- Phone
- (903) 636-5287
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
BIG SANDY ISD- District Enrollment
- 673
- Schools in District
- 3
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,644
- District Rank
- #3 of 3
Other Schools in This District
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 methodologyRelated reading
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