EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso public schools are now learning how the state rates their performance, as accountability ratings for some districts in the borderland were released on Thursday.

The Texas Education Agency assigns campuses an accountability rating, A-through-F letter grades, based on academic performance and student growth.

The ratings carry high stakes for districts and campuses that score poorly, as failing scores can trigger state intervention and, in some cases, could lead to a potential state takeover of struggling districts.

However, schools that believe they received the wrong grade can pursue an appeal process in an effort to have the rating changed.

While the TEA is set to release its 2026 accountability ratings for all Texas schools on Friday, KFOX14/CBS4 obtained accountability ratings for schools in the El Paso Independent School District and Ysleta Independent School District on Thursday.

El Paso Independent School District:

According to EPISD, the district improved its districtwide performance in the 2026 state accountability ratings, earning an overall “B” rating with a score of 82, with a majority of its schools receiving A or B grades and several campuses posting significant year-over-year gains.

The district said the biggest improvements were seen at Murphree PK-8 and Guillen Middle School, each moved from an F in 2025 to a B in 2026.

In addition, Tinajero PK-8 improved by 9 points, moving from a C to a B.

Districtwide, 39 campuses earned an A or B rating in 2026, including 13 campuses that received an A.

The district said the results reflect improvement across elementary, middle, and high schools as it continues focusing resources and support on classroom instruction, teacher development, and campus leadership.

“Classrooms are the center of our universe, and these results reflect the incredible work happening every day between our students and educators,” Superintendent Dr. Brian Lusk said. “Our focus is on strong instruction, meaningful coaching and support, and ensuring our teachers and campus leaders have what they need to be successful. Everything we do comes back to one goal: student success.”

The district’s A-rated campuses span grade levels and school models, including neighborhood elementary schools, middle schools, magnet and early college programs, and two comprehensive high schools.

EPISD campuses earning an A include:

Bliss Elementary SchoolCielo Vista Elementary SchoolColdwell Elementary SchoolHawkins Elementary SchoolLundy Elementary SchoolTravis Elementary SchoolHornedo Middle SchoolWiggs Middle SchoolBurges High SchoolFranklin High SchoolSilva MagnetTransmountain Early College High SchoolYoung Women’s STEM Academy

EPISD also received 38 Distinction Designations from the state for exceptional achievement in specific areas of academic performance. Charles Middle School and Guerrero Elementary School earned every distinction designation for which they were eligible.

The district said the 2026 ratings show improvement not only among its highest-performing schools but also at campuses working to accelerate student achievement, pointing to gains at Murphree, Guillen and Tinajero and a decline in the number of C-rated campuses.

“These results are something our entire community can celebrate,” Lusk said. “They represent the hard work happening every day in classrooms across El Paso ISD. We have strong momentum, and we are excited about where our students and schools are headed.”

The district said it plans to build on the gains by maintaining its focus on strong classroom instruction, support for teachers and campus leaders, and academic opportunities designed to help every student succeed.

Ysleta Independent School District:

According to YISD, the district has been named the highest-rated school district in the El Paso area, with all nine of its high schools earning an “A” rating in the 2026 A-F accountability ratings released by the TEA.

YISD earned an overall score of 88 (B+) for academic performance and growth in the 2025-26 school year. The district also posted the highest College, Career, and Military Readiness score among the area’s three largest school districts, with 95% of students meeting CCMR standards.

“Once again, Ysleta ISD remains among the top-rated school districts in Texas, including charter schools,” the district said.

“The success we’ve seen over the past decade at the Ysleta Independent School District reflects the outstanding quality of teaching and leadership across all of our campuses,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Xavier De La Torre said. “Student achievement and growth doesn’t happen by chance – they happen because of what takes place within the four corners of the classroom every day. We’re proud of the talented people who are leading and teaching at every campus, turning the promise and potential of our students into progress.”

All nine Ysleta ISD high schools received an “A” rating:

Bel AirDel ValleEastwoodHanksParklandRiversideYsleta high schoolsValle Verde Early College High SchoolYoung Women’s Leadership Academy

“This means that every student in grades 9-12 at Ysleta ISD is attending an “A”-rated school – this is a first in our region,” De La Torre said. He added the district earned a Postsecondary Readiness distinction designation for the third year in a row. “It supports our strong belief in having smaller high schools where we know our students by need and by name.”

Across the district, more than half of schools — 53% — earned “A” ratings this year from TEA, according to Ysleta ISD. Nearly 90% of schools, or 42 campuses, earned either an “A” or “B.”

The district’s 25 “A”-rated schools are:

Alicia Chacon ISBel Air HS Del Valle HSEastwood Heights ESEastwood HSEastwood Knolls ISEast Point ESEdgemere ISGlen Cove ESHanks HSLancaster ESLoma Terrace ESParkland HSParkland Pre-Engineering MSParkland ESPebble Hills ESPresa ESRamona STEM AcademyRiverside HSScotsdale ESTierra Del Sol ESVista Hills ESValle Verde Early College HSYoung Women’s Leadership AcademyYsleta HS

This story will be updated with other school districts in the El Paso area once ratings are officially released on Friday.

RECOMMENDED: ‘Lost in the numbers’: EPISD parents worry as some class sizes increase

Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.