The schools where the Rockwall Yellowjackets and Rockwall-Heath Hawks compete earned some of the highest academic marks in the state on Aug. 14.

The Texas Education Agency released its 2026 accountability ratings, and both Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School posted A grades. Rockwall High scored a 96; Rockwall-Heath came in at 95. Rockwall Quest Academy, the district's third high school, earned a 92.

All three campuses held A ratings from prior years as well, according to the district.

Rockwall ISD as a whole scored a 91, up from 87 in 2024. The four-point jump in two years pushed the district of roughly 19,000 students across 26 campuses firmly into A territory.

Distinctions more than double

The district also more than doubled its TEA distinctions, climbing from 13 in 2025 to 32 in 2026. Nine of those recognized campuses for Closing the Gaps, which measures how well schools serve underserved students. Eight more were Academic Growth distinctions.

TEA ratings are built on three metrics: student performance on STAAR and college-readiness benchmarks, year-over-year test improvement and how effectively schools educate underserved populations, according to the Texas Tribune.

Statewide, at least five districts sit on the brink of state intervention for chronic underperformance. Rockwall ISD's results land on the opposite end of that spectrum.

What the superintendent said

Superintendent John Villarreal credited the rating to teamwork among the school board, staff, parents and students.

"This work is intentional, meaningful, and forever important because every student deserves our very best in education," Villarreal said in the district's announcement. "A huge thank you to everyone who works together every day to make a difference for kids."

Fall sports already rolling

The ratings arrived on the second day of the 2026-27 school year, with fall sports already in motion. Yellowjackets and Hawks football players opened fall camp Aug. 4, and both programs held media day Aug. 6.

Opening-week football matchups for both schools have not yet been announced.