Killeen ISD emerged as one of Bell County’s biggest movers in the 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings, gaining five points overall and moving within one point of a B rating.
The Texas Education Agency released the 2026 ratings to school districts Wednesday, showing Killeen ISD improved from a 74 in 2025 to a 79 in 2026. The gains were especially strong at the middle and high school levels, where several campuses improved by double digits or moved up a letter grade.
High schools build momentum
KISD high schools posted strong results across the district.
Harker Heights High School improved six points, moving from a B (86) to an A (92).
Killeen High School recorded a 10-point gain, moving from a C (73) to a B (83).
Early College High School and Pathways Academic Campus also earned A ratings, with scores of 98 and 94, respectively.
Ellison, Chaparral and Shoemaker high schools all demonstrated growth. Ellison and Chaparral improved their scores while maintaining B ratings, while Shoemaker increased to a 79, just one point from a B.
Middle schools make significant gains
Some of KISD’s greatest growth came at the middle school level, an area of continued focus for the district.
Rancier Middle School posted a 16-point gain, improving from a D (63) to a C (79). Manor Middle School followed with a 15-point increase, moving from an F (59) to a C (74).
Roy J. Smith Middle School gained 10 points to earn a B (81), while Nolan Middle School improved from a C (78) to a B (81).
JDA Middle School and Live Oak Ridge Middle School each moved up a letter grade. JDA improved from a D (67) to a C (79), while Live Oak Ridge moved from a D (61) to a C (73).
Union Grove Middle School improved seven points, and Audie Murphy Middle School gained six points, with both maintaining C ratings. Eastern Hills and Palo Alto middle schools also showed improvement, moving from F ratings to D ratings.
Elementary campuses also move up
While elementary results were more mixed, several campuses posted significant gains.
Oveta Culp Hobby Elementary School made one of the district’s largest jumps, improving 12 points from a C (78) to an A (90).
Seven elementary schools — Nolanville, Cedar Valley, Montague Village, Haynes, Saegert, Fowler and Willow Springs — moved from C ratings to B ratings.
Hay Branch Elementary School improved 14 points, moving from a D (61) to a C (75). Alice W. Douse Elementary School also moved from a D (64) to a C (75).
Building on the progress
The results show encouraging progress, particularly at the middle and high school levels, while also identifying areas where more work is needed.
District leaders will continue building on strategies that are producing strong outcomes while providing targeted support to campuses where students need additional help.
Behind the ratings are students learning more, educators helping them grow and families supporting learning at home. KISD’s focus remains on extending that progress across the district and helping every student reach their full potential.