Photo: Nsaum75 · CC BY-SA 3.0Galveston’s public schools score below 68% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Galveston’s districts is 32%, below the Texas average (41%). The grade covers the public school district serving Galveston, 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 98% 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.
Galveston’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 46% of tested students were proficient in reading and 32% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,797 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Central Middle, then Ball H S. Enrollment is up 21% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Odyssey Academy - Galveston, Ambassadors Preparatory Academy, Moody Early Childhood Center, Upward Hope Academy (private), O'Connell College Preparatory School (private), Holy Family Catholic School (private) and Satori Elementary (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 Galveston’s grade
C: better than 32% of Texas school districts, #480 of 642 Texas towns. Both inputs trail the Texas average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Galveston, with each school’s own grade.
5th grade in Galveston
Weis
Grades 5–6 · 844 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Galveston
Weis
Grades 5–6 · 844 students · 15:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Galveston
Central Middle
Grades 7–8 · 785 students · 14:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Galveston
Central Middle
Grades 7–8 · 785 students · 14:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Galveston
Ball H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,905 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Galveston
Ball H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,905 students · 16:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Galveston
Ball H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,905 students · 16:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Galveston
Ball H S
Grades 9–12 · 1,905 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Galveston’s public schools are run by Galveston Independent School District, which also serves Jamaica Beach. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Galveston vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Galveston’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Galveston | C | Galveston Independent |
| Texas City | C | Dickinson Independent PK–12 · Texas City Independent PK–12 |
| Tiki Island | D | Texas City Independent PK–12 · Hitchcock Independent PK–12 |
Every school in Galveston
15 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).
Questions about Galveston’s schools
Are Galveston’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Galveston children attend score below 68% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #480 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 29%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Galveston in?
Galveston Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 6,383 students in 11 schools (2024–25).
Where do Galveston kids go to high school?
Ball H S, with 1,905 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Galveston’s graduation rate?
90% of the class of 2023 in Galveston Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Galveston spend per student?
$13,797 in Galveston Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Galveston?
Yes: Upward Hope Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 83 students), O'Connell College Preparatory School (Catholic, grades 9–12, 80 students), Holy Family Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 53 students) and Satori Elementary (nonsectarian, grades PK–6, 23 students). Galveston also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Galveston families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Galveston → 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.