Calvin Nelms Middle

Calvin Nelms Middle in Katy, TX, is a small, high-performing charter school serving 160 students in grades 6-8, operating under the Calvin Nelms Charter Schools district, which ranks in the 94th percentile statewide.

This school consistently outperforms its much larger neighbors, including those in the highly-regarded Katy Independent School District (Isd). For example, the nearest school, T H McDonald J H, ranks in the 57th percentile, while Calvin Nelms ranks in the 82nd percentile. The school achieves this with remarkable efficiency, spending just $8,012 per student—significantly less than nearby schools like Cardiff J H ($11,739) and Stockdick J H ($8,844). Academically, Calvin Nelms exceeds state averages in every grade and subject, with a standout 100% proficiency rate in Algebra I End-of-Course exams for the past three years. The school also excels in serving all student groups, ranking in the 98th percentile for Special Education students and the 88th percentile for African American students.

While the school’s small size (160 students) likely fosters a cohesive culture and individualized attention, it has a clear area for improvement: only 31.6% of 8th graders were proficient in Social Studies in the most recent testing year, matching the state average. This contrasts with its otherwise stellar record, which includes a peak rank of 138th in Texas in 2019. For parents seeking a top-tier middle school that delivers strong results across diverse student populations with efficient spending, Calvin Nelms Middle is a standout choice in the Katy area.