TEA ratings 2023: The best and worst performing Houston-area school districts

HOUSTON – After months of delays and legal disputes, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released the 2022–2023 A–F accountability ratings for public schools and districts.

READ: TEA reveals updated A-F ratings for Texas schools following months of legal delays

The updated system, which raises the bar for academic performance, has led to significant shifts in the ratings of many Houston-area school districts.

Top 5 highest-rated Houston-area school districts

According to TEA’s updated ratings system, these districts received the highest marks in the Houston area:

1. Tomball ISD – A (Score: 91)
2. Friendswood ISD – A (Score: 91)
3. Barbers Hill ISD – A (Score: 91)
4. Pearland ISD – B (Score: 89)
5. Katy ISD – B (Score: 88)​

These districts demonstrated strong academic performance, student progress, and success in closing educational gaps.

Bottom 5 lowest-rated Houston-area school districts

Meanwhile, some districts struggled to meet the new benchmarks. These five districts received the lowest scores in the region:

1. Cleveland ISD – D (Score: 62)
2. Aldine ISD – D (Score: 63)
3. Willis ISD – D (Score: 67)
4. Huffman ISD – D (Score: 68)
5. Spring ISD – D (Score: 69)

These ratings indicate significant challenges in meeting the state’s educational standards.​

READ: Four Texas school districts at risk for state takeover after 2023 ratings released

How did Houston ISD perform?

Houston ISD, the largest district in the state and currently under state control, received a C rating with a total score of 72. While that places HISD just below the threshold for a B, internal breakdowns paint a more complex picture:​

• Student Achievement: 70 (C)
• School Progress: 74 (C)
• Closing the Gaps: 68 (D)​

These scores highlight areas where the district is performing adequately and areas needing improvement.​

TEA’s newly implemented measures aim to better reflect how effectively schools prepare students for life after graduation, with added weight placed on postsecondary readiness.​

Full district score list

Here’s a summary of scores for other key Houston-area districts:

• Alief ISD – C (74)
• Clear Creek ISD – B (83)
• Crosby ISD – C (77)
• Cy-Fair ISD – B (80)
• Dayton ISD – C (74)
• Deer Park ISD – B (84)
• Galena Park ISD – B (85)
• Goose Creek CISD – B (80)
• Huffman ISD – D (68)
• Humble ISD – C (74)
• Klein ISD – B (80)
• La Porte ISD – B (80)
• New Caney ISD – C (72)
• Pasadena ISD – B (81)
• Sheldon ISD – C (73)
• Spring Branch ISD – C (79)
• Waller ISD – C (74)
• Montgomery ISD – B (83)
• Needville ISD – B (88)
• Fort Bend ISD – C (79)
• Alvin ISD – B (82)
• Angleton ISD – B (82)
• Brazosport ISD – B (80)
• Conroe ISD – B (84)
• Lamar CISD – B (83)
• Magnolia ISD – B (85)
• Dickinson ISD – B (80)
• Santa Fe ISD – C (79)

The full list of district and campus ratings is available at TXschools.gov.