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GreatSchools Rating

Palo Duro High School

Public | 9-12 | 1953 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 3 ratings

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16 reviews of this school


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Posted September 30, 2011

im going to palo duro and i can really say its horrible everyone there is pregnant the teachers dont care about who learns and who dont there is no modivation at all all there is is drugs and pregnancy why would you want your kid to go here?! and we have the worst scores ever! keep that in mind if your thinking about sending your kid here!
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 1, 2011

My son and daughter graduated from Palo Duro HS and have both moved on to be successful, equipped with the knowledge gained from exceptional teachers. My son graduated with a degree from the University of Oklahoma and my daughter is in a management position with one of the top companies in the United States. If you're looking with a multicultural education PD is the place!!
—Submitted by a teacher


Posted November 2, 2010

I go to P.D. and i like going there.I would not go to any other school in Amarillo. At P.D. I have opportunities I would not get anywhere else. I have one of the best English teachers, Ms.Peeples!
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 14, 2010

I went to p.D. My freshman year and i loved it! i wish i could go back, i never wanted to leave that school. But lets be honest it is pretty tough, not every one would like it as much,
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 16, 2009

All three of my kids have attended and loved it.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 25, 2009

Something Palo Duro HS is not lacking in is teachers that really care for their students and strive to allow them to succeed, ethnic and social diversity, along with great programs to increase college enrollment (ACE). All that being said, I rated PDHS a below average because while all that is present, there is a lack of motivation from lots of the current students there. I was a former student and because of the low level beng taught there to accomodate the unmotivated students, I really felt that it hindered my learning. I truly didn't feel quite prepared for college, although you do adjust. I graduated summa cum laude from a great university. I really hope one day they would make PDHS a magnet school to increase the amount of motivated students and to really showcase the current exceptional faculty that really live for their students, namely Mrs. Rohanne :)
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 28, 2009

It was a great school. Thank you for every thing.
—Submitted by a student


Posted August 26, 2008

I go to PD and I think its the greatest school ever!!! I wouldn't go to any other school for any reason. Right now I am a junior and I know some people change their minds, but I know for sure that i never will.
—Submitted by a student


Posted April 1, 2008

I went to Palo Duro, and the time I spend there was just a waste of time. Some of the teachers do no pay attention to their student. When I have my children I would not enroll them in Palo Duro.
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 25, 2008

It is a great school, with lots of ethnic diversity and when I have children I won't let them go to any other school in Amarillo.
—Submitted by a student


Posted March 26, 2007

I love Palo Duro I went to Palo Duro and I wouldn't want my son to go to any other school. The teachers do care and they do want you to succeed.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted December 17, 2006

I went to school here, and I wish I would have gone to a better school. It seems like teachers dont really care if students learn or not. There is alot of students who distract other students from learning.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted November 3, 2006

Palo Duro is a great school. Kids of all kinds can come to this school and just feel right at home. It's just a great school all around.
—Submitted by Mindee Do, a student


Posted March 29, 2006

I went to school here as well as my 2 younger brothers. We all loved it here. The band program has become outstanding under the leadership of Jeff Doughten and Terry Baker. And we all know how Coach Parr has turned the football program around. PD was the frist school in the area to offer almost full scholarships to every graduating senior. All you have to do is sign up as a freshman,keep a GPA of at least a 3.0 (or a B),stay in school, andnot fail a grade. It's really not that hard. I think that it challenges students to try their best so that they can go to higher education. Northside Pride! Nuff said!
—Submitted by a former student


Posted January 4, 2006

I think that the parent involvement could be better. there are alot of drugs going around this school. the teachers are not very interested in the children's education.
—Submitted by a former student


Posted December 29, 2004

Academic programs and extra curricular are available and facilitators are eager to get students involved. However, low income students attend the school and are less likely to be involved. The students who are involved tend to be the middle income students who do better in school. Parental involvement in middle to low.
—Submitted by a parent


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 70% in 2011.

498 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
57%

2010

 
 
55%

2009

 
 
54%

2008

 
 
47%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

515 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
81%

2008

 
 
74%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 91% in 2011.

392 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
85%

2009

 
 
83%

2008

 
 
82%
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2011.

391 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
69%

2010

 
 
69%

2009

 
 
57%

2008

 
 
50%
Science

The state average for Science was 76% in 2011.

389 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
60%

2010

 
 
58%

2009

 
 
52%

2008

 
 
46%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 93% in 2011.

385 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
90%

2010

 
 
87%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
78%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

The state average for English Language Arts was 95% in 2011.

356 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
84%

2010

 
 
82%

2009

 
 
81%

2008

 
 
87%
Math

The state average for Math was 90% in 2011.

351 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
74%

2010

 
 
74%

2009

 
 
64%

2008

 
 
64%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2011.

352 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
72%

2010

 
 
77%

2009

 
 
65%

2008

 
 
62%
Social Studies

The state average for Social Studies was 99% in 2011.

348 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
89%

2008

 
 
92%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Math

All Students57%
Female57%
Male57%
Black or African American44%
Asian67%
Hispanic60%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White64%
Economically disadvantaged55%
Not economically disadvantaged70%
Special education19%
Not special education59%
Limited English proficient (LEP)28%
Proficient in English63%
Migrant67%
Non-migrant57%
Gifted/talented95%

Reading

All Students74%
Female77%
Male72%
Black or African American62%
Asian59%
Hispanic78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White88%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged83%
Special education39%
Not special education77%
Limited English proficient (LEP)33%
Proficient in English84%
Migrant75%
Non-migrant75%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

All Students84%
Female85%
Male83%
Black or African American72%
Asian71%
Hispanic86%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White95%
Economically disadvantaged84%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Special education38%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)17%
Proficient in English90%
Migrant83%
Non-migrant84%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students69%
Female66%
Male71%
Black or African American58%
Asian70%
Hispanic69%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White78%
Economically disadvantaged67%
Not economically disadvantaged76%
Special education18%
Not special education71%
Limited English proficient (LEP)21%
Proficient in English73%
Migrant50%
Non-migrant69%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students60%
Female54%
Male66%
Black or African American40%
Asian69%
Hispanic59%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White84%
Economically disadvantaged58%
Not economically disadvantaged73%
Special education22%
Not special education62%
Limited English proficient (LEP)9%
Proficient in English66%
Migrant50%
Non-migrant60%
Gifted/talented96%

Social Studies

All Students90%
Female88%
Male92%
Black or African American83%
Asian74%
Hispanic92%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White98%
Economically disadvantaged89%
Not economically disadvantaged94%
Special education33%
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)46%
Proficient in English93%
Migrant100%
Non-migrant90%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

English Language Arts

All Students84%
Female85%
Male83%
Black or African American84%
Asian62%
Hispanic87%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White92%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Special education61%
Not special education86%
Limited English proficient (LEP)16%
Proficient in English92%
Migrant60%
Non-migrant85%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students74%
Female71%
Male78%
Black or African American66%
Asian62%
Hispanic78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White79%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged80%
Special education36%
Not special education77%
Limited English proficient (LEP)27%
Proficient in English81%
Migrant80%
Non-migrant74%
Gifted/talented94%

Science

All Students72%
Female68%
Male77%
Black or African American60%
Asian57%
Hispanic75%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White91%
Economically disadvantaged70%
Not economically disadvantaged81%
Special education42%
Not special education75%
Limited English proficient (LEP)11%
Proficient in English80%
Migrant60%
Non-migrant72%
Gifted/talented100%

Social Studies

All Students95%
Female94%
Male97%
Black or African American97%
Asian74%
Hispanic99%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged94%
Not economically disadvantaged100%
Special education88%
Not special education96%
Limited English proficient (LEP)62%
Proficient in English100%
Migrant100%
Non-migrant95%
Gifted/talented100%
Scale: % meeting or exceeding standards

About the tests


In 2010-2011, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) was used to test students in reading in grades 3 through 9; in writing in grades 4 and 7; in English language arts in grades 10 and 11; in mathematics in grades 3 through 11; in science in grades 5, 8, 10 and 11; and in social studies in grades 8, 10 and 11. TAKS is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Texas. The grade 11 Exit Level TAKS is a high school graduation requirement. The goal is for all students to score at or above the state standard.

The different student groups are identified by the Texas Education Agency; if there are a small number of students in a particular group, the state doesn't report data for that group.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

  • In 2010-2011, this school was rated "Academically Unacceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Academically Acceptable".

About the tests


Texas uses Accountability Ratings to indicate the overall performance of each school and district. The ratings are based on TAKS test results, dropout rates for grades 7 and 8 and school completion rates for grades 9 through 12. Schools and districts rated under standard accountability procedures are designated as Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable or Academically Unacceptable. Schools and districts rated under alternative education accountability (AEA) procedures are designated as either AEA: Academically Acceptable or AEA: Academically Unacceptable.

See Texas' state standards

Source: Texas Education Agency

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
Hispanic 53% 48%
Black 23% 14%
White 15% 34%
Asian/Pacific Islander 9% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 15%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 6%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 12%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 80%N/A55%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per FTE teacher 15N/A15
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Teacher experience

  This school District averageState average
Beginning teachers 8%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 26%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 21%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 22%N/A23%
21 or more years 23%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1400 N Grant
Amarillo, TX 79107
Website: Click here
Phone: (806) 326-2400

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