Laredo Independent School District (Isd)

The Laredo Independent School District (ISD) in Texas operates a diverse set of 30 schools, including 20 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 6 high schools. The district serves a predominantly Hispanic student population, with many schools reporting over 95% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating high levels of economic disadvantage.

While the district has a few standout schools, such as Hector J. Garcia Early College High School, which ranks among the top 36 high schools in Texas, and Farias Elementary, which is in the top 5% of Texas elementary schools, the academic performance across the district is highly uneven. Many schools struggle with proficiency rates well below 50% on state assessments, suggesting a need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.

The data also reveals a potential link between higher per-student spending and better academic outcomes, with the higher-performing schools generally spending more per student. Additionally, the success of the early college model at Hector J. Garcia High School suggests that expanding such programs could be a promising approach for improving college readiness and attainment in the district, which faces significant challenges due to the high levels of poverty among its student population.