Texas 2026 Report Card: The Schools Winning & Failing
Texas School Report Cards: The 2026 Grades Are In!
What Happened?
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) — think of them as the "principal’s office" for the whole state — just released its annual report cards for public schools. They graded 1,202 school districts and 9,105 individual campuses across Texas.
Important Point: Just like your report card, schools get letter grades from A to F. A grade of C or higher means the school is doing an acceptable job.
The Big Picture Numbers
- 85% of campuses earned a C or higher — that’s most schools passing!
- 585 campuses jumped from below an A all the way up to an A — huge improvement!
- Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said:
"This year’s A-F ratings illustrate the progress Texas public schools are making and acknowledge the hard work of our educators while illuminating areas of needed improvement…"
Top 5 School Districts in Texas (The "Honor Roll")
| Rank | District | Grade / Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patton Springs ISD (Dickens County) | A / 100 |
| 2 | Fayetteville ISD, Whitharral ISD, Grady ISD, Blackwell CISD, Highland ISD | A / 97 |
| 3 | Claude ISD, Borden County ISD, Huckabay ISD, Loop ISD, Glasscock County ISD, Jayton-Girard ISD, McMullen County ISD, Douglass ISD, Broaddus ISD, Aspermont ISD | A / 96 |
| 4 | Ft. Sam Houston ISD, South Texas ISD, Nazareth ISD, Highland Park ISD, Turkey-Quitaque ISD, Knox City-O’Brien CISD, North Zulch ISD, Rochelle ISD, Miles ISD | A / 95 |
| 5 | Randolph Field ISD, Lovejoy ISD, Sunnyvale ISD, Klondike ISD, Sands CISD, Roby CISD, Gruver ISD, Hartley ISD, Paint Creek ISD, Abbott ISD, Guthrie CSD, Mumford ISD, Ira ISD, Sterling City ISD, Eanes ISD, Utopia ISD | A / 94 |
Bottom 5 School Districts (Needs Improvement)
| Rank | District | Grade / Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malone ISD (Hill County) | F / 44 (was B/88 last year!) |
| 2 | Hubbard ISD, Prairie Lea ISD | F / 52 |
| 3 | Morgan Mill ISD | F / 53 |
| 4 | Roscoe Collegiate ISD | F / 57 |
| 5 | Wharton ISD | F / 58 |
Important Point: Malone ISD dropped from a B (88) to an F (44) in just one year — that’s a huge decline.
Best Individual Public Schools (Perfect Score: A/100)
- School for the Talented and Gifted — Dallas ISD, Dallas
- Patton Springs School — Patton Springs ISD, Afton
- Spring Branch Academic Institute — Spring Branch ISD, Houston
- Dovalina Elementary — Laredo ISD, Laredo
Worst Individual Public School
- Dr. Mae E. Jones-Clark Elementary School (Beaumont) — F / 41
(Dropped from C/74 last year)
Best Charter Schools
| School | Location | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies | Port Arthur | A / 99 |
| Chaparral Star Academy | Austin | A / 99 |
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently — like a "choose your own adventure" version of public school.
Worst Charter School
- Celebrate Dyslexia School (San Antonio) — F / 41
(Not rated last year)
How Are These Grades Calculated?
TEA uses a weighted formula (like a recipe with different ingredients):
- Student Achievement — How well kids do on tests & graduation
- School Progress — How much students improve year to year
- Closing the Gaps — Are all groups of students (different races, income levels, etc.) making progress?
Think of it like this: It’s not just about the smartest kids — it’s about every kid moving forward.
The scores from these three areas are combined into one overall score (0–100), which becomes the letter grade.
How Can YOU Check Your School’s Grade?
Easy! Go to:
TXschools.gov
Type in your school or district name — boom, you’ve got the report card.
Summary
- Texas schools got their 2026 A-F report cards from the TEA.
- Most schools (85%) got a C or better.
- Patton Springs ISD aced it with a perfect 100.
- Malone ISD had the biggest drop — from B to F.
- Four schools earned A/100; one elementary got the lowest score (F/41).
- Charter schools were graded too — two got A/99, one got F/41.
- Grades are based on achievement, progress, and fairness.
- Parents can look up any school at TXschools.gov.
FAQ
1. What does an "F" grade mean for a school?
It means the school is not meeting state standards for student learning, progress, or equity. It often triggers extra support or oversight from the state.
2. Can a school improve its grade next year?
Absolutely! Many schools jump grades — 585 campuses went from below A to A this year. With focus and resources, turnaround is possible.
3. Are charter schools held to the same standards?
Yes. Charter schools get the same A-F ratings using the same formula. They’re public schools, just run differently.
4. Why did Malone ISD drop so fast?
The article doesn’t say exactly, but big drops can come from test score declines, graduation rates, or gaps between student groups. The state will likely investigate.
5. Should I move my kid based on this grade?
Not necessarily. Grades are one snapshot. Visit the school, talk to teachers, check programs, and see how your child fits. A "B" school might be perfect for your family!
Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA) — 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings