Pasadena’s public schools score below 70% of Texas districts on tests and graduation
43% of students in Pasadena’s public schools are proficient in reading, below the Texas average (51%). The grade covers the public school district serving Pasadena, 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.
Pasadena’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 740 Texas towns with household incomes within a quarter of Pasadena’s, its schools beat 24%, lower than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 36% in math, against 51% and 41% statewide; 100% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
89% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,798 per student, against $12,815 across Texas (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
20 elementary schools, then six middle and three high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Ryss STEM Academy at First Friends Pasadena, Harris County Youth Village, Richard Milburn Academy Pasadena, Ignite Community School - Pasadena, Star Montessori School (private) and Asbury Methodist Day School (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 Pasadena’s grade
C: better than 30% of Texas school districts, #488 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 Pasadena, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Pasadena · depends on your address
Pasadena Memorial H S
Grades 9–12 · 3,177 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Sam Rayburn H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,627 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Pasadena H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,217 students · 16:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Pasadena · depends on your address
Pasadena Memorial H S
Grades 9–12 · 3,177 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Sam Rayburn H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,627 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Pasadena H S
Grades 9–12 · 2,217 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Pasadena’s public schools are run by Pasadena Independent School District, which also serves South Houston. Parts of Pasadena (20%, 19% and 7% of its land) are served by Deer Park Independent, Clear Creek Independent and La Porte 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
Pasadena vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Texas towns that share Pasadena’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Pasadena | C | Pasadena Independent |
| Houston | C− | Houston Independent |
| Taylor Lake Village | A− | Clear Creek Independent |
| Deer Park | B | Deer Park Independent PK–12 · La Porte Independent PK–12 |
| Seabrook | A− | Clear Creek Independent |
| La Porte | B− | La Porte Independent |
| South Houston | C | Pasadena Independent |
| Nassau Bay | A− | Clear Creek Independent |
| El Lago | A− | Clear Creek Independent |
Every school in Pasadena
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).
Questions about Pasadena’s schools
Are Pasadena’s schools good?
On Texas’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Pasadena children attend score below 70% of Texas’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #488 of 642 Texas towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 24%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Pasadena in?
Pasadena Independent School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 46,491 students in 67 schools (2024–25). Small parts of Pasadena are served by Deer Park Independent, Clear Creek Independent and La Porte Independent.
Where do Pasadena kids go to high school?
One of 3 high schools, depending on your address: Pasadena Memorial H S, Sam Rayburn H S and Pasadena H S.
What is Pasadena’s graduation rate?
89% of the class of 2023 in Pasadena Independent School District graduated in four years, against 90% across Texas.
How much does Pasadena spend per student?
$13,798 in Pasadena Independent School District (FY2024), against $12,815 across Texas. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Pasadena?
Yes: Star Montessori School (nonsectarian, grades K, 275 students) and Asbury Methodist Day School (religious, grades PK–K, 50 students). Pasadena also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Pasadena families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Pasadena → 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.