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Vista Ridge High School

Public | 9-12 | 1792 students

Last modified
Community Rating

4 stars


Teacher quality

Principal leadership

Parent involvement

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12 reviews of this school


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Posted June 4, 2009

Vista Ridge High School is one of the Best Schools out there..Great with the kids and trying to keep every child in the game..I think they are better than the private schools my Children have attended.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted November 8, 2008

I am a senior at the Ridge and really involved in the school. I feel that I am not challenged academically, but I do think that it is just me because I have found that many of my friends do put a lot of hard work in to make their grades. As for the teachers, they are AMAZING! I have never seen a more competent group of educators than there are at Vista Ridge! The AP's are all awesome, they are qualified and really go out of their way to get to know the students. We recently got a new prinicipal at our school and he has too many useless rules that no one enforces, he is also way too worried about his image and saving face. I LOVE VR AND I WOULDNT WANT TO GO TO ANY OTHER SCHOOL!!!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted October 7, 2008

As a student i find the choice of classes to be excellent. As for the disciplinary, I find it greatly lacking. Though, they do a good job of sweeping up small offenses like candy, they seem to over look any major offenses. Unless, it stares them in the face.
—Submitted by a student


Posted September 8, 2008

I am a parent and I do not like the principal leadership at all. It seems as if the current principal has created several perposturous rules that i find unnecessary. Other than that, it is a great school with great teachers and an exceptional athletic program.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 26, 2008

We had to pull our child out of this school and relocate to another one. The lack of responsiveness and accountability by both the administration and teaching staff negatively impacted our daughters safety as well as academic progress.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted July 17, 2008

I work with the band program as a supplemental instructor, and I have to say, this school has fantastic faculty, parents, and students. I love going to work and working with the students because they work hard and have great attitudes and work ethic. The staff works very hard, all the time, and so do the students. I highly recommend this school. Of course, it also has a very new campus with great technology to work with.


Posted June 5, 2008

Vista Ridge High School is an exceptional High School. This is coming from a graduate of VRHS. The high school Academically is harder three times harder than almost all the public schools in the Austin,except for Westlake,Westwood, and Anderson. Get ready to work your but off to get into college. It is an dogfight!Take Pre-AP classes getting a B+ or better,getting above 4.3 does it in top 25%&Up. Just work Hard you will do fine. VRHS is also an exceptional Extra-curricular school. The Teachers make you work hard but not to a point of no return,Athlectics frequently go deep into playoffs,usually Play Regional Championship,State Tournments,Fine Arts constantly place students into All-State Bands,Choirs.,Do awesome at U.I.L.(Sweepstakes) .Dance and Cheerleading always wins everything. Theatre Has amazing talent. socially the school is pretty much a family,everybody gets along.The Administrators,Faculty,and Staff really care and try to know you by name. GO Rangers!!
—Submitted by a student


Posted February 12, 2008

The school is okay. The teachers are laid back which is great. But the Assistant Principals are very rude to the students and the parents. Other than that, the school is great academically. Socially there are a lot of bullies and social cliques.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 2, 2007

The staff, for the most part, really care. They take the time when needed and don't do the in-one-ear-out-the-other I've come to expect from schools in general. The teachers and counsellors are top notch! They are always available and are very open and friendly. I can't rate this school high enough.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 19, 2006

Fantastic staff & school!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted September 12, 2005

Very good staff. Campus is awesome and teachers seem to enjoy their jobs.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 1, 2005

My son and I recently moved to Texas from Florida. I am so thankful! Everyone I have come in contact with, from teachers to staff, have been so wonderful! They have involved me from the beginning, and made me feel very comfortable. My son (finally) really likes school! And thats saying a lot! He said the teachers have included him, and not made him feel like an outsider. He has made lots of friends, as they are open to accepting him as well. My son plays sports, and all the coaches could not be any better role models for my son.
—Submitted by Nicole, 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.

430 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
88%

2010

 
 
83%

2009

 
 
77%

2008

 
 
80%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 89% in 2011.

428 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
94%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
93%
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.

450 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
93%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
93%
Math

The state average for Math was 74% in 2011.

434 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
77%

2010

 
 
78%

2009

 
 
72%

2008

 
 
74%
Science

The state average for Science was 76% in 2011.

439 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
85%

2010

 
 
86%

2009

 
 
82%

2008

 
 
82%
Social Studies

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

437 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
97%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
93%

2008

 
 
95%
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.

391 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
95%

2010

 
 
96%

2009

 
 
97%

2008

 
 
96%
Math

The state average for Math was 90% in 2011.

386 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
92%

2010

 
 
92%

2009

 
 
88%

2008

 
 
82%
Science

The state average for Science was 91% in 2011.

389 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
96%

2010

 
 
95%

2009

 
 
94%

2008

 
 
89%
Social Studies

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

393 students were tested at this school in 2011.

2011

 
 
99%

2010

 
 
99%

2009

 
 
99%

2008

 
 
97%
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 Students88%
Female90%
Male86%
Black or African American83%
Asian100%
Hispanic84%
American Indian or Alaska Native100%
White89%
Economically disadvantaged78%
Not economically disadvantaged91%
Special education37%
Not special education91%
Limited English proficient (LEP)89%
Proficient in English88%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant88%
Gifted/talented99%

Reading

All Students95%
Female97%
Male94%
Black or African American86%
Asian100%
Hispanic91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White97%
Economically disadvantaged88%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education64%
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)78%
Proficient in English96%
Migrantn/a
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

English Language Arts

All Students92%
Female97%
Male87%
Black or African American88%
Asian93%
Hispanic91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged90%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education57%
Not special education95%
Limited English proficient (LEP)50%
Proficient in English93%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant92%
Gifted/talented99%

Math

All Students77%
Female79%
Male75%
Black or African American61%
Asian96%
Hispanic70%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White80%
Economically disadvantaged65%
Not economically disadvantaged80%
Special education24%
Not special education81%
Limited English proficient (LEP)71%
Proficient in English77%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant77%
Gifted/talented96%

Science

All Students85%
Female87%
Male83%
Black or African American70%
Asian96%
Hispanic78%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White89%
Economically disadvantaged73%
Not economically disadvantaged88%
Special education34%
Not special education90%
Limited English proficient (LEP)38%
Proficient in English86%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant86%
Gifted/talented99%

Social Studies

All Students97%
Female97%
Male96%
Black or African American96%
Asian100%
Hispanic96%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White97%
Economically disadvantaged95%
Not economically disadvantaged97%
Special education76%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)100%
Proficient in English96%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant97%
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 Students95%
Female98%
Male93%
Black or African American95%
Asian100%
Hispanic92%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White97%
Economically disadvantaged91%
Not economically disadvantaged96%
Special education67%
Not special education98%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English96%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant95%
Gifted/talented100%

Math

All Students92%
Female90%
Male93%
Black or African American77%
Asian96%
Hispanic91%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White93%
Economically disadvantaged83%
Not economically disadvantaged93%
Special education74%
Not special education93%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English92%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant92%
Gifted/talented100%

Science

All Students96%
Female97%
Male96%
Black or African American86%
Asian96%
Hispanic93%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White99%
Economically disadvantaged91%
Not economically disadvantaged98%
Special education89%
Not special education97%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English97%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant96%
Gifted/talented98%

Social Studies

All Students99%
Female99%
Male99%
Black or African American95%
Asian96%
Hispanic99%
American Indian or Alaska Nativen/a
White100%
Economically disadvantaged97%
Not economically disadvantaged99%
Special education93%
Not special education99%
Limited English proficient (LEP)n/a
Proficient in English99%
Migrantn/a
Non-migrant99%
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 Acceptable".
  • In 2009-2010, this school was rated "Recognized".
  • In 2008-2009, this school was rated "Recognized".

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
White 69% 34%
Hispanic 20% 48%
Black 7% 14%
Asian/Pacific Islander 4% 4%
American Indian/Alaska Native 0% 0%
Source: NCES, 2008-2009

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Special education 12%N/A10%
Gifted/talented students 10%N/A8%
Limited English proficient (LEP) 2%N/A17%
Economically disadvantaged 14%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 2%N/A8%
1 to 5 years 35%N/A30%
6 to 10 years 26%N/A20%
11 to 20 years 30%N/A23%
21 or more years 7%N/A19%
Source: TX Education Agency, 2007-2008
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

200 S Vista Rdg
Cedar Park, TX 78613
Phone: (512) 570-1800

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