For the fourth year in a row, the Ysleta Independent School District is the No. 1 school district in the El Paso area, according to the 2025 Best Schools and Districts rankings released this week by Niche, a nationwide online platform that helps connects parents and students with schools.
Ysleta ISD maintained its No. 1 ranking and solidified its reputation for academic excellence and innovation, earning an overall grade of A- that is based on performance in nine categories: Academics (B+), Diversity (C+), Teachers (A+), College Prep (A), Clubs & Activities (A), Administration (A), Sports (A), Food (A), and Resources & Facilities (B+).
In addition, Valle Verde Early College High School was ranked the No. 1 public high school in the El Paso area; North Star Elementary School came in at No. 2 among public elementary schools; and Eastwood Knolls International School ranked No. 3 among public middle schools.
“We are extraordinarily proud of the staff, teachers, and leaders at the Ysleta Independent School District, as their relentless pursuit of excellence is what drives our success year after year,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Xavier De La Torre.
“Despite a recent report that showed we are among 8% of Texas districts that are severely underfunded by the state, we have achieved so much together at Ysleta ISD over the past decade,” he added. “Every day, we pour our hearts into helping students realize their promise and potential, and this shared commitment consistently keeps us at the top of the rankings.”
Compared to last year, Ysleta ISD significantly improved its Districts with the Best Teachers in America nationwide ranking, jumping up 83 spots this year to earn a ranking of No. 203 among more than 11,100 U.S. districts.
Statewide, Ysleta ISD made an impressive showing in several categories, including Districts with the Best Teachers in Texas (No. 7 of 896 statewide); Best School Districts for Athletes in Texas (No. 21 of 807 districts); and Best Places to Teach in Texas (No. 17 of 912 districts).
Ysleta ISD also made its fourth appearance in the Best School Districts in Texas list, where it ranked No. 129 of 883 districts, placing it among the top 14 percent of districts in the state. This year, El Paso ISD is ranked No. 284 and Socorro ISD is ranked No. 308 on that list.
This year’s Niche rankings include updated data for over 11,000 school districts nationwide, including more than 93,000 public schools and 30,000 private schools.
The rankings combine user input — ratings from current students, alumni and parents — with quantitative data from sources like the U.S. Department of Education to evaluate teachers, resources, facilities, extracurricular activities and more.
For a full list of the 2025 rankings, visit https://www.niche.com/k12/rankings/.
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