Caton Middle

Caton Middle is a small school of about 170 students serving grades 6–8 in Eunice, a rural community in Lea County in southeastern New Mexico, and it is part of Eunice Municipal Schools. It is at its strongest point in at least a decade: in 2025–2026 it ranked 98th of 191 New Mexico middle schools — the 49th percentile, 2 stars — up from the 22nd percentile in 2021–2022. That is a 27-point percentile gain over four years, and it places the school well above its own district's 24th-percentile, 1-star standing.

Reading is Caton's clear strength. At 46.0% proficient in English language arts, the school sits above the New Mexico average of 43.34%, and 8th grade ELA is the standout at 61.54% — roughly 18 points above the state. Science is at the state average (34.62% vs. 34.19%). Math is the weak spot: 18.12% proficient, roughly 7 points below the state, with every grade at or below state level and 8th-grade math reported as under 20%. Math is the single biggest opportunity to move from 2 stars to 3 or 4. Sixth-grade reading is a second priority: 20.45% versus 38.90% statewide, even though those same 6th graders score essentially at state level in math.

Compared with the two nearby Hobbs schools, Houston Middle School and Heizer Middle School (both in Hobbs Municipal Schools), Caton outranks both and beats them clearly in ELA and science. Math tells a different story: Houston, which serves more low-income students and has larger classes, reaches 24.48% — evidence that Caton's math gap is closable rather than structural. Results for English learners, male and female students, and low-income students have also improved sharply and now sit at or above statewide norms. Because Caton is small, a handful of students can move a grade-level percentage, so the multi-year trend is the more reliable signal than any single year.