Original Research by School Decision on Amarillo H S
Amarillo High School is a regular public high school in Amarillo serving grades nine through twelve, located on Danbury Street in the 79109 zip code. The school enrolls around two thousand students, with near-equal class sizes across grades nine through twelve.
The student body is predominantly white, with sizable Hispanic representation and smaller shares of Asian, Black, and multiracial students. About one-third of the enrollment qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch, a marker of household economic need that suggests mixed family income across the population.
The most recent state assessment data shows proficiency results from spring 2025. In all subjects combined, the school reports that most students reached the "approaches" level, while a smaller share reached the "meets" level and an even smaller share achieved "masters" proficiency. By subject, science stands out as the school's strongest area, with very high rates of students approaching grade level and substantial rates reaching masters. Social studies also shows strength, with high approaches rates and solid masters performance. English Language Arts shows lower approaches rates than the all-subjects average and notably low masters performance. Mathematics proficiency is mixed: approaches rates are strong, but the rate of students meeting or mastering the standard is considerably lower, and masters rates are the lowest among all tested subjects. The single year of data means readers cannot yet see trends, and the school reports only one year of proficiency measures.
State testing data for high schools does not include a graduation rate or other outcomes like college readiness, so those measures are not available. Special-population data such as special education enrollment, English learner enrollment, or chronic absenteeism rates were not reported.
Amarillo itself is a mixed-character city anchored by revitalization of its downtown commercial and civic core around the Polk Street historic district, the Hodgetown baseball stadium, and civic institutions including City Hall and the Central Library. Beyond downtown, residential neighborhoods range from the historic, tree-lined Wolflin district with older stately homes to newer south-side subdivisions like Hillside Terrace and Greenways designed with family amenities and parks. The city is largely car-oriented but downtown has grown more walkable, with dining, galleries, live music, and arts programming drawing residents. Growth is steady and concentrated on the south and southwest sides in Randall County, driven by strong in-migration; the city was publicly reported as the top-ranked midsize U.S. city for growth in 2025.
The housing market reflects this growth. Home values in the 79109 zip code are moderate, below the Texas state average, with modest appreciation year over year. Rental prices have risen moderately. The mortgage-to-income ratio is low relative to national norms, and rent as a share of household income is reasonable, making the market relatively affordable for the region. Median household income in the area is solid.
Amarillo's economy is anchored by major employers including healthcare systems, the city government, the Pantex nuclear weapons assembly facility, and food processing and manufacturing firms such as Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Bell Textron helicopter assembly. This employment base spans defense, energy, aerospace, and food processing alongside growing healthcare and service sectors. The school sits within a city of modest size with a clear economic foundation and ongoing civic investment.
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