Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 37061

Zip code 37061 contains just one middle school, Houston County Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 with 265 students in the Houston County Schools district in Erin, Tennessee. As the only middle school in the area, it automatically represents the full picture of middle-level education here. The school has received a 1-star state rating, while its district ranks 133rd out of 141 Tennessee districts and holds a 0-star rating. Houston County Middle is a relatively small school, and its state percentile ranking has slipped from the 29th percentile three years ago to the 23rd percentile today, even though the numeric rank has remained at 1 star.

Academically, the school trails state averages in every tested subject. Mathematics is the biggest concern, with just 17.6% of students proficient compared to 43.0% statewide, and math scores declined from 20.1% the previous year. English Language Arts proficiency sits at 23.1%, science at 32.9%, and social studies at 38.0%, each well below state averages but with social studies showing a strong 5.1-point improvement year over year. Grade-level data reveals that 7th grade ELA is a particular weak spot at 18.6% proficiency, while 8th graders perform best in science and social studies at 38.7% and 40.3%, respectively. The school trails its district in math by 10.9 points and in ELA by 6.5 points, but it slightly exceeds its district in science.

One notable bright spot is attendance: only 14.0% of students are chronically absent, well below the district rate of 21.8% and the state rate of 18.3%. Per-student spending is reported at $12,967, a substantial investment that raises questions about resource allocation given the low proficiency rates. For parents, this school offers a close-knit environment with strong attendance, but the academic challenges — particularly in math and 7th grade literacy — suggest the need for targeted interventions. The declining state ranking despite pockets of progress indicates the school is not keeping pace with statewide improvement trends.