Original Research by School Decision on Options Early Graduation H S
Options Early Graduation High School is a small alternative school serving high school students in Texarkana who are working toward early completion of their diploma. The school enrolls a modest cohort spread across grades nine through twelve, with a substantial share of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The student body is racially mixed, with roughly equal representation of Black and white students, along with smaller shares of Hispanic and other students. No data on special education or English learner enrollment was available.
This is an alternative pathway designed for students whose trajectories or circumstances call for a different model than the traditional comprehensive high school. The school's name and structure suggest a focus on accelerated completion, which can serve students who have fallen behind, faced personal or family disruption, or need flexibility that the standard secondary setting does not provide. For families considering this option, the relevant question is fit: does the student's situation and goals align with an accelerated, alternative program?
The most recent academic data shows results that reflect the population served. In reading, a majority of students approached or met grade-level proficiency in English language arts, though few reached mastery. In mathematics, proficiency was lower, with less than half approaching the standard and almost none reaching mastery. Science and social studies showed stronger approaches-level proficiency, though mastery was rare in science and absent in social studies. These patterns are consistent with what alternative programs typically report and underscore that academic performance here reflects the needs and starting points of the students the school serves, not a comprehensive measure of instructional quality or program strength.
State testing data from earlier years was suppressed due to small cohort size, which is common for alternative or small schools and does not signal weakness. The absence of recent historical trend data means you cannot see whether the school's results are improving or stable, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about student progress over time and about completion rates, credit recovery, and the pathway to graduation.
Texarkana is a mixed-use bi-state city anchored by a historic downtown and shaped by healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and logistics sectors. The wider region is on a growth trajectory, with new residential subdivisions, regional employers like the Red River Army Depot and major healthcare systems, and ongoing development including educational expansion at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Housing is affordable relative to state and national benchmarks, and property values have risen modestly. The city's walkability is limited outside the downtown core, though city leaders are pursuing an Active Transportation Master Plan to improve pedestrian infrastructure.
Texarkana ISD, the district housing this school, recently passed a bond to replace aging school buildings and fund security upgrades and a new career and technical education building. The district also launched a P-TECH Academy at Texas High School, allowing students to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree at no cost through dual enrollment with Texarkana College. These are longer-term investments that reshape facility quality and expand academic pathways for families in the district.
For a parent considering Options Early Graduation High School, the core question is whether an alternative, accelerated model fits the student's needs and whether the school's track record and support systems match what your student requires to finish strong and move forward.
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