Photo: Aaron Jacobs on en.wikipedia · CC BY-SA 2.5Denton’s public schools outscore 55% of Texas districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Denton, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Texas, not nationally.
From Texas state tests taken in spring 2022, when 100% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Denton’s schools, in brief
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 52% and math 36% in spring 2022, against 51% and 41% statewide; 97% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,854 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
13 elementary schools, then three middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 10% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Denton Classical Academy, North Texas Collegiate Academy-North Campus, Denton Calvary Academy (private), Immaculate Conception Catholic School (private), Connections Wellness Group (private), Trinity Learning Center (private) and Springbok Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Denton’s grade
B: better than 55% of Texas school districts, #251 of 642 Texas towns. Graduation is above the Texas average; test scores are below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Denton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Denton · depends on your address
Strickland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 956 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Calhoun Middle
Grades 6–8 · 852 students · 13:1 students per teacher
McMath Middle
Grades 6–8 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Denton · depends on your address
Strickland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 956 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Calhoun Middle
Grades 6–8 · 852 students · 13:1 students per teacher
McMath Middle
Grades 6–8 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Denton · depends on your address
Strickland Middle
Grades 6–8 · 956 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Calhoun Middle
Grades 6–8 · 852 students · 13:1 students per teacher
McMath Middle
Grades 6–8 · 644 students · 12:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Denton · depends on your address
Guyer H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,577 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Denton H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,083 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Ryan H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,051 students · 13:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Denton · depends on your address
Guyer H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,577 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Denton H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,083 students · 15:1 students per teacher
Ryan H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,051 students · 13:1 students per teacher
Denton’s public schools are run by Denton Independent School District, which also serves Aubrey, Bartonville, Copper Canyon and Corinth and others. Parts of Denton (3%, 3% and 2% of its land) are served by Krum Independent, Ponder Independent and Sanger Independent instead. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Denton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Denton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Denton | B | Denton Independent |
| Corinth | B | Denton Independent PK–12 · Lake Dallas Independent PK–12 |
| Argyle | A+ | Argyle Independent |
| Shady Shores | B | Denton Independent |
| Northlake | B+ | Northwest Independent |
| Krum | B | Krum Independent |
2 of the 5 neighbors share Denton Independent with Denton, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Denton
32 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Texas’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 17 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Ki Charter - Denton, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton County Jjaep CFB Campus, Denton Co J J A E P, Regional Day SCH Deaf, Community Ed, Denton K-8 Virtual Academy, Anita Reeves El, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P, Denton Co J J A E P and Denton Co J J A E P).
Questions about Denton’s schools
Are Denton’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Texas: the public schools Denton children attend outscore 55% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #251 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 57%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Denton in?
Denton Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 33,329 students in 46 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Denton are served by Krum Independent, Ponder Independent and Sanger Independent.
Where do Denton kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Guyer H S, Denton H S and Ryan H S.
What is Denton’s graduation rate?
97% of the class of 2023 in Denton Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Denton spend per student?
$11,854 in Denton Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Denton?
Yes: Denton Calvary Academy (religious, grades K–12, 266 students), Immaculate Conception Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 165 students), Connections Wellness Group (nonsectarian, grades 5–12, 114 students), Trinity Learning Center (religious, grades PK–K, 87 students) and Springbok Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–K, 56 students). Denton also has 2 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Denton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Denton → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Texas. Stars are from neighbors.