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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

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 metrics
Student Progress8.0Excellent25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data2
Annual Change-2.5 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2021
TrendDeclining
Academics6.3Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency24.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency44.5%
Overall Proficiency35%
Expected (poverty-adj.)36%
vs. Expected-2.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile46th
College Readiness1.6Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation1.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.1Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,426

Big Sandy H S — Students at Big Sandy H S score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

67%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores TX EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 28.3%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 45.8%
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
32%
ELA
47%
2021*
Math
24.5%
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.9/10
41th percentile in TX
Academic
6.3/10
6.3/10
Growth
8.0/10
Above average
Environment
9.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
9:1 student-teacher ratio
21 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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 methodology

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