Somerset Independent School District is proud to announce that five campuses—Somerset Elementary, SSGT Michael P. Barrera Veterans Elementary, Savannah Heights Intermediate School, Somerset Junior High, and Shirleen Zacharias Early College Leadership Academy have been recognized among the Best Schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
Each campus earned placement on the 2026 Best Schools list, a distinction that highlights strong academic performance, student growth, and commitment to high-quality education. The rankings evaluate more than 47,000 public elementary schools and over 23,000 middle schools across the country. Schools are assessed at both the state and district levels, with factors such as state test performance, achievement in core subjects, student equity, and overall learning outcomes contributing to the recognition.
“We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and campus leaders for earning this national recognition,” said Dr. Jose Moreno, Somerset ISD Superintendent. “This achievement reflects the dedication, hard work, and belief in excellence that define Somerset ISD. Our schools continue to ensure that every student is supported, challenged, and empowered to succeed.”
The Best Elementary, Middle, High School rankings are based on publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Education. The methodology focuses on the percentage of students performing at or above proficiency in mathematics and reading/language arts, while also considering student background, academic equity, and how effectively a school serves all learners. Student-teacher ratios are used to break ties across campuses.
Families and community members can learn more about how Somerset ISD schools compare to others across the nation and review the methodology at USNews.com.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News delivers independent reporting, rankings, and consumer advice to millions of readers each month. For more than 90 years, U.S. News has provided authoritative insights on education, health, personal finance, politics, travel, real estate and more.