Original Research by School Decision on Big Spring H S
Big Spring High School serves a student body that is predominantly Hispanic and economically disadvantaged, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The enrollment is around mid-size for a traditional high school, and it draws from Big Spring, the county seat of Howard County in West Texas at the intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and Interstate 20. The school sits on a campus separated from the downtown civic core, on the city's east side.
On state assessment results, the school shows a mixed picture. In science and social studies, a strong majority of students meet the "approaches grade level" standard, and a meaningful minority achieve mastery. In English language arts, performance lags: roughly two-thirds of students approach grade level, but only a small fraction master it, and the rate of students meeting standard is notably lower than in other subjects. Mathematics performance falls between, with most students approaching grade level but a very low rate of mastery and the smallest share meeting standard of any subject tested.
Across all subjects combined, the school sits at an "approaches" rate above the midpoint, but the "meets" rate stands well below, with masterynumbers low across the board. The data available covers only the most recent school year, so trend information is not present. The school's performance sits below the midpoint among Howard County's districts on overall proficiency.
Big Spring ISD, the district housing this school, faced a significant constraint when voters rejected a substantial bond package in May 2024 that would have funded a new high school building to replace the existing, aging facility. That defeat carried a property-tax angle as well: the bonds would have raised the property tax rate, and that increase did not occur. For families moving to or staying in the district, the high school building remains the older structure, and the question of when or whether it will be replaced remains open. The city itself shows flat to declining population growth, with housing stock that is relatively old and median home values well below the Texas average, reflecting a mature community without strong recent expansion.
The broader Big Spring economy centers on public-sector anchors (Howard College, a federal prison, a Veterans Administration hospital, and a state hospital) and the legacy oil-and-gas sector. A refinery processes Permian Basin crude, and logistics and distribution tied to the city's highway and rail access are growing employment segments. The downtown has undergone some revitalization around the restored Hotel Settles, though the city remains car-dependent with no public transit system. State parks and recreational facilities including Big Spring State Park on Scenic Mountain provide outdoor access. This is a low-cost-of-living area where families are likely to have long tenure and where school choice is limited to the local district.
Special-population enrollment data for students with IEPs and English learners was not available. The school's graduation rate was not provided; data for the school's four-year cohort either is not yet published or was not located. A parent may want to look into the school's graduation data and college-readiness pathways directly with the district.
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