Photo: Vasiliymeshko · CC BY 4.0Odessa’s public schools score below 86% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
Reading proficiency in Odessa’s districts is 36%, below the Texas average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Odessa, 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.
Odessa’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 704 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of Odessa’s, its schools beat 6%, lower than their 14% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 36% of tested students were proficient in reading and 29% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 98% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,921 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
23 elementary schools, then six middle and five high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Richard Milburn Academy Odessa, Premier H S Odessa, Idea Yukon College Preparatory, Idea Yukon Academy, Harmony Science Academy - Odessa, Compass Academy Charter School, The Odessa Y Learning Center, The STEM Academy, St. Marys Central Catholic School (private), Montessori Mastery School of Odessa (private), Crossroads School (private), Odessa Christian School (private), St. Johns Episcopal School Odessa (private), The Embassy Academy (private) and Kiddie Kollege Preschool (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 Odessa’s grade
D: better than 14% of Texas school districts, #603 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 Odessa, with each school’s own grade.
Odessa’s public schools are run by Ector County Independent School District, which also serves Goldsmith. Parts of Odessa (12% of its land) are served by Midland 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
Odessa vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Odessa’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Odessa | D | Ector County Independent |
Every school in Odessa
50 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: 5 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Harmony School of Innovation - Odessa, Utpb STEM Academy, Reg Day School for Deaf, New HS-Cte Center and Burleson Early Childhood Center).
Questions about Odessa’s schools
Are Odessa’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Odessa children attend score below 86% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #603 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 6%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Odessa in?
Ector County Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 33,663 students in 43 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Odessa are served by Midland Independent.
Where do Odessa kids go to high school?
One of 5 high schools, depending on your address: Permian H S, Odessa H S, Odessa Collegiate Academy Early College H S, Odessa Career and Technical Early College H S and George H W Bush New Tech Odessa.
What is Odessa’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Ector County Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Odessa spend per student?
$10,921 in Ector County Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Odessa?
Yes: St. Marys Central Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 222 students), Montessori Mastery School of Odessa (religious, grades PK–12, 128 students), Crossroads School (religious, grades PK–K, 128 students), Odessa Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 127 students), St. Johns Episcopal School Odessa (religious, grades PK–8, 120 students), The Embassy Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 91 students) and Kiddie Kollege Preschool (religious, grades PK–K, 90 students). Odessa also has 8 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Odessa families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Odessa → 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.