The Ysleta Independent School District continues its streak as the best school district in the area for a fifth straight year, coming in at No. 1 in the El Paso area in the 2026 Best Schools and Districts in America rankings released by Niche, a nationwide online platform that connects families with schools.
“Excellence isn’t just a goal at the Ysleta Independent School District – it is a tradition,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Xavier De La Torre. “Academically, we’ve never been stronger, driven by the outstanding employees and inspiring classroom moments that help every student reach their fullest potential.”
Digging Into the Data
Ysleta ISD is ranked No. 1 in El Paso and No. 140 in the state of Texas, solidifying its reputation for academic excellence and innovation, earning an overall grade of A- based on categories that included: Teachers (A+), College Prep (A), Clubs & Activities (A), Sports (A), Food (A), Academics (B+), and Administration (A).
Ysleta ISD campuses that captured top spots in this year’s Niche rankings were:
No. 1 Best Public High School: Valle Verde Early College High School
No. 1 Comprehensive Public High School: Eastwood High School
No. 1 Best Public Middle School: Eastwood Knolls International School (K-8)
No. 2 Best Public Middle School: Alicia R. Chacon International School (K-8)
No. 1 Best Public Elementary School: Eastwood Knolls International School (K-8)
“Our success isn’t just about a letter grade or number; it’s about the daily hard work that happens in the four corners of the classroom with our dedicated teachers, support staff, and principals,” Dr. De La Torre added. “No matter how performance is measured, our commitment stays the same: It’s all about creating safe, supportive, and engaging classrooms and schools where expert teaching and extracurricular opportunities inspire the leaders of tomorrow.”
How We Rate Across the State
Statewide, Ysleta ISD made an impressive showing in several categories:
Districts with the Best Teachers in Texas (No. 1 in El Paso, No. 7 statewide)
Best School Districts for Athletes in Texas (No. 1 in El Paso, No. 18 statewide)
Best Places to Teach in Texas (No. 1 in El Paso, No. 26 statewide)
This year’s Niche rankings include updated data for more than 93,000 public schools, 30,000 private schools, and 11,000 school districts nationwide. The rankings combine user input – ratings from current students, alumni and parents – with quantitative data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education.
For a full list of the 2026 rankings, visit https://www.niche.com/k12/rankings/