Original Research by School Decision on Cooper H S
Cooper High School is a four-year public school in Abilene, serving grades nine through twelve. The school draws from a diverse student population that reflects significant economic need; a substantial majority of enrolled students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Racially and ethnically, the student body is roughly balanced between Hispanic and white students, with a meaningful African American presence and smaller Asian and multiracial populations. The overall enrollment sits in the mid-range for a high school of its type.
On state assessments, Cooper's performance shows strength in science and social studies but notable challenges in English language arts and mathematics. In science, the school reaches a high proficiency rate on the foundational "approaches" level, with a solid share reaching the "meets" standard and a substantial number achieving "masters." Social studies similarly shows strong foundational proficiency and a respectable percentage meeting the standard. In contrast, English language arts proficiency is considerably lower, particularly at the "masters" level where very few students achieve that benchmark. Mathematics presents a similar pattern: while most students approach proficiency, the proportion meeting the standard falls short, and mastery is limited. The data reflects only one year of results, so trends over time are not yet visible.
Abilene ISD, Cooper's parent district, is undergoing significant structural change. In January 2025, the district adopted an initiative called Building Brighter Futures, which introduces school choice at the elementary level and specialty programs. At the secondary level, the district has adopted new instructional materials and is emphasizing dual-credit course enrollment. In November 2025, voters approved a tax-rate increase to address the district's operating deficit, raise staff salaries, modernize the aging bus fleet, and expand programs. These changes suggest the district is actively working to improve performance and student opportunity, though families may want to stay engaged with how curriculum shifts and program expansion affect their student's experience at the high school level.
The Abilene housing market is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks. Home values are moderate, and rental costs, while rising, remain below the national average. The local economy is anchored by Dyess Air Force Base, healthcare systems, higher education, and a growing renewable-energy sector. The city itself is experiencing residential growth, particularly on its north and south sides, indicating ongoing community investment and expansion.
Cooper's peer group within Taylor County schools shows that comparison data on graduation rate and chronic absenteeism were not available for the school, a gap that parents may want to explore directly with the district. The school's academic profile appears to reflect district-level challenges in literacy and mathematics that the district has explicitly undertaken to address through curriculum change and expanded support. For families choosing Cooper, understanding the school's role within the district's broader improvement efforts and the specific academic supports available in those lower-performing areas would be valuable groundwork.
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