Making the Grade
The best public high school in Texas is right here in Austin
The best public high school in Texas? It's here in Austin.
The Austin Independent School District’s Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) ranks No. 1 among public high schools in Texas, according to Niche.com, a provider of rankings, reviews, and statistics about schools and communities.
On its website, the Austin district says that “LASA offers a world-class education, rigorous curriculum and robust hands-on learning opportunities.” LASA shares a campus with LBJ High School.
“By recruiting the most academically advanced students from public and private middle schools throughout the city, LASA is a diverse magnet school with scholars from every ZIP code in Austin,” the Austin district says.
Not far behind the Liberal Arts and Science Academy on the Niche list, at No. 3, is the Eanes Independent School District’s Westlake High School. In the No. 6 spot is the Round Rock Independent School District’s Westwood High School.
On Niche.com, this is what one parent wrote about the Liberal Arts and Science Academy: “LASA is an amazing school with amazing teachers and amazing opportunities and resources. Our daughter has had an incredible experience, and I have no doubts at all that she is fully prepared for college.”
Here are the factors that Niche used to come up with its rankings: overall grade on Niche, academics, diversity, teachers, college prep, clubs and activities, health and safety, administration, sports, food, and resources and facilities.
Austin's St. Stephen's Episcopal School ranks high on Niche's list of best private schools. It comes in fifth, behind three Dallas schools and one in Houston.