Palo Duro High School is a school located in the city of Amarillo, Texas, United States, and is one of four high schools in the Amarillo Independent School District. As of the 2016–17 school year, it has 2,075 students. The school was named after Palo Duro Canyon, a canyon system in the Texas Panhandle.
Serving 1,902 students in grades 9-12, Palo Duro High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Texas for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 35% (which is lower than the Texas state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 32% (which is lower than the Texas state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 15:1 is higher than the Texas state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 90% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Texas state average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,902 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 15:1
- Minority Enrollment: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 87% (Btm 50% in TX)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 35% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 32% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 47% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education
School Overview
Palo Duro High School's student population of 1,902 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 127 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
1,902 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
127 teachers
Year Founded
1955
Colors
White, Blue, Royal blue
School Rankings
Palo Duro High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 8,188 schools in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Palo Duro High School is 0.61, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.64. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#6259 out of 8188 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
35%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
32%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
47%
46%
Student : Teacher Ratio
15:1
14:1
American Indian
1%
n/a
Asian
10%
6%
Hispanic
59%
53%
Black
17%
13%
White
10%
25%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
87%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
78%
57%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
8%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Don
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Palo Duro High School's ranking?
Palo Duro High School is ranked #6259 out of 8,188 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Texas.
What schools are Palo Duro High School often compared to?
Palo Duro High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Tascosa High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
35% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% TX state average), while 32% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% TX state average).
What is the graduation rate of Palo Duro High School?
The graduation rate of Palo Duro High School is 87%, which is lower than the Texas state average of 90%.
How many students attend Palo Duro High School?
1,902 students attend Palo Duro High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
59% of Palo Duro High School students are Hispanic, 17% of students are Black, 10% of students are Asian, 10% of students are White, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Palo Duro High School?
Palo Duro High School has a student ration of 15:1, which is higher than the Texas state average of 14:1.
What grades does Palo Duro High School offer ?
Palo Duro High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is Palo Duro High School part of?
Palo Duro High School is part of Amarillo Independent School District.
School Reviews
5 3/2/2019
It really is a good school. I have a roast free zone in my classroom, and we advocate against bullies. Our science team is really, really good. I am surprised our science stats did not show up on this site... Check your sources.
2 4/14/2014
what are you policies on bullying?do you even have any? I have a grand daughter that goes to palo puro high school.3 days out of the week she will come home sad or crying,saying that she;s being bullyed by a group of African americans,she says that she has informed the staff but yet it continues to happen,our schools should be a safe place for our children to go and learn,not to be scared of going to learn,something needs to be done!
Review Palo Duro High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
