Stephen Decatur Lawrence Farmstead · Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0Mesquite’s public schools score below 64% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
42% of students in Mesquite’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Texas average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Mesquite, 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.
Mesquite’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 42% of tested students were proficient in reading and 38% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,064 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
28 elementary schools, then nine middle and six high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Trinity Basin Preparatory - Mesquite, Ignite Community School - Mesquite, Premier H S Mesquite, Legacy Prep Charter Academy Mesquite West Campus, Pioneer Technology (PTAA) Mesquite, Pioneer Technology (PTAA) Mesquite El, Dallas Christian School (private) and Appleseed 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 Mesquite’s grade
C+: better than 36% of Texas school districts, #435 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 Mesquite, with each school’s own grade.
Mesquite’s public schools are run by Mesquite Independent School District, which also serves Balch Springs. Parts of Mesquite (10% of its land) are served by Forney 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.
Well below the state in reading
Mesquite vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Mesquite’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Mesquite | C+ | Mesquite Independent |
| Dallas | C− | Dallas Independent |
| Balch Springs | C− | Mesquite Independent PK–12 · Dallas Independent PK–12 |
| Garland | B− | Garland Independent |
| Sunnyvale | A | Sunnyvale Independent |
| Seagoville | C− | Dallas Independent |
Every school in Mesquite
52 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: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Texasworks - Mesquite).
Questions about Mesquite’s schools
Are Mesquite’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Mesquite children attend score below 64% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #435 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 33%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Mesquite in?
Mesquite Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 37,930 students in 51 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Mesquite are served by Forney Independent.
Where do Mesquite kids go to high school?
One of 6 high schools, depending on your address: Horn H S, Mesquite H S, North Mesquite H S, West Mesquite H S, Vroonland - Vanguard H S and Poteet H S.
What is Mesquite’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Mesquite Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Mesquite spend per student?
$13,064 in Mesquite Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Mesquite?
Yes: Dallas Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 512 students) and Appleseed Academy (religious, grades PK–4, 58 students). Mesquite also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Mesquite families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Mesquite → 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.