South Early College High School, formerly Empowerment South Early College High School and Empowerment College Preparatory High School, is a college-preparatory high school in Houston, Texas, US. It is a part of the Houston Independent School District.
Serving 416 students in grades 9-12, South Early College High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Texas for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 55-59% (which is higher than the Texas state average of 41%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75-79% (which is higher than the Texas state average of 51%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Texas state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Texas state average of 75% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 416 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 98%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 20% in TX)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 55-59% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75-79% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 70-74% (Top 10%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
South Early College High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Texas for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Most improved public schools
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
South Early College High School's student population of 416 students has grown by 5% over five school years.
The teacher population of 22 teachers has grown by 15% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Total Students
416 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
22 teachers
Year Founded
2005
School Rankings
South Early College High School ranks within the top 20% of all 8,188 schools in Texas (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of South Early College High School is 0.50, 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
#831 out of 8188 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
55-59%
41%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75-79%
51%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
46%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
14:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
1%
6%
Hispanic
62%
53%
Black
35%
13%
White
2%
25%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
n/a
3%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥95%
90%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
75%
57%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), TX Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is South Early College High School's ranking?
South Early College High School is ranked #831 out of 8,188 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Texas.
What schools are South Early College High School often compared to?
South Early College High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Madison High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
55-59% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 41% TX state average), while 75-79% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 51% TX state average).
What is the graduation rate of South Early College High School?
The graduation rate of South Early College High School is 95%, which is higher than the Texas state average of 90%.
How many students attend South Early College High School?
416 students attend South Early College High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
62% of South Early College High School students are Hispanic, 35% of students are Black, 2% of students are White, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of South Early College High School?
South Early College High School has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Texas state average of 14:1.
What grades does South Early College High School offer ?
South Early College High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12
What school district is South Early College High School part of?
South Early College High School is part of Houston Independent School District.
In what neighborhood is South Early College High School located?
South Early College High School is located in the Central Southwest neighborhood of Houston, TX. There are 16 other public schools located in Central Southwest.
School Reviews
Review South Early College 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
Vending Vicious Cycles: The Overhaul of ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools' Vending Machines
Could sodas, cookies, and candy finally be banished from school vending machines? Learn about the public schools and movement that are finally swapping carrots for candy.
Chicago Schools: Special Needs and Enriched Academic Programs
We’ll examine some of the programs offered by Chicago ÎÛÎÛÂþ» Schools to provide services to special needs students and help high-achieving students reach their full academic potential.
Are Your Local ÎÛÎÛÂþ» School Instructors Still Qualified to Teach?
Federal legislation has outlined stricter qualification guidelines for public school teachers. Learn about the minimums and whether your local public school teachers are still qualified to instruct classrooms.
