Carthage High School earns an A; district leaders celebrate progress while remaining focused on continued improvement
Carthage Independent School District earned an overall B rating with a score of 80 out of 100 in the 2025–26 accountability ratings released by the Texas Education Agency.
The district serves 2,602 students across five campuses. Carthage ISD's overall score remained relatively consistent with the previous year, moving from an 81 in 2024–25 to an 80 in 2025–26.
The 2025–26 campus ratings are:
Carthage High School — A, 92
Carthage Junior High — C, 76
Baker-Koonce Intermediate — C, 70
Libby Elementary — C, 74
Carthage Primary — C, 74
Carthage High School led the district with an A rating and score of 92, the highest rating among Carthage ISD campuses.
CHS also earned three TEA Distinction Designations: Academic Achievement in Reading/Language Arts, Top 25% Comparative Academic Growth and Top 25% Comparative Closing the Gaps. The distinctions are awarded to campuses demonstrating high levels of achievement in specific areas when compared with similar schools across Texas.
Carthage Junior High received a C rating with a score of 76, while Libby Elementary and Carthage Primary each received a C with a score of 74. Baker-Koonce Intermediate received a C rating with a score of 70.
The accountability results provide both reasons for celebration and a clear picture of where continued work is needed across the district.
At the district level, Carthage ISD received an 81 in Student Achievement and an 82 in School Progress. Student Achievement considers STAAR performance as well as graduation rates and preparation for success after high school, while School Progress measures student performance over time and compares district performance with districts serving similar economically disadvantaged student populations.
The district's
Closing the Gaps score was 75
, an area that will remain a focus moving forward. According to TEA, the Closing the Gaps measure examines how successfully a district is serving all student groups.
While Carthage ISD is proud of the accomplishments reflected in the ratings—particularly the A rating and three distinctions earned by Carthage High School—the district also recognizes that accountability ratings are one measure of student and campus performance and that opportunities for growth remain.
Carthage ISD will continue analyzing student performance data, identifying areas of need and building upon areas of success as teachers and administrators work to improve outcomes for students at every campus.
The district's focus remains on continued academic growth and ensuring that every student has the opportunity and support needed to be successful.
Carthage ISD thanks its students, teachers, staff, families and community for their continued work and support of the district's schools.
The district is proud of the progress that has been made and remains focused on the work ahead.