Summary:
The two middle schools in the Caldwell Independent School District (Isd)—Caldwell Intermediate (grades 4-6) and Caldwell J H (grades 7-8)—serve a community where over 60% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the district holds a 3-star rating (61st percentile in Texas). While both schools share similar per-student spending (around $10,300-$10,500), Caldwell J H stands out for its stronger academic outcomes, particularly in advanced math. It boasts a notably lower student-teacher ratio (12.4:1) compared to Caldwell Intermediate (16:1), which may contribute to its success in 7th-grade math and Algebra I, where it significantly outperforms state averages.
Key metrics reveal a clear performance gap between the two schools. Caldwell J H excels in 8th-grade reading (projected 69.17% proficiency, 10 points above the state) and maintains a 0.0% dropout rate. In contrast, Caldwell Intermediate struggles in 4th and 5th-grade math (e.g., 5th-grade math at 32.88% is 14.5 points below the state) and shows a dramatic "6th-grade slump" in reading, where proficiency plummets to 38%—15.5 points below the state average. The only bright spot for the intermediate school is 6th-grade math, where it outperforms the state by 8.45 points.
Interesting takeaways include a district-wide challenge in reading comprehension, especially in grades 5-7, and consistently weak science and social studies scores at both schools. The data suggests that while Caldwell Intermediate struggles with foundational math skills, Caldwell J H successfully addresses these gaps by 7th grade, likely due to its lower student-teacher ratio and targeted advanced coursework. However, the sharp decline in reading at the intermediate level warrants immediate attention, as it may indicate a need for stronger literacy interventions before students transition to junior high.
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