Summary:
The two middle schools in the Corsicana Independent School District (Isd)—Collins Intermediate (grades 5-6) and Corsicana Middle (grades 7-8)—serve a high-poverty community where over 78% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and both schools face significant academic challenges compared to state averages.
The most striking finding is the "math paradox" at Corsicana Middle. While its Algebra I program is exceptional—with 88.24% of students proficient versus the state average of 54.03%—its standard 8th-grade math performance is critically low at just 16.45% proficiency. This suggests a two-track system where advanced students thrive while the majority struggle. In contrast, Collins Intermediate shows no standout strengths, with all core subjects (Reading and Math for 5th and 6th grades) consistently 15-20 points below state averages. Both schools share a district-wide reading crisis, with proficiency rates 10-20 points below the state in every grade. Additionally, Spanish STAAR data at Collins Intermediate reveals alarmingly low results—0% proficiency in Math and Science—indicating English Language Learners need more support.
Despite similar enrollment (around 870 students each) and spending per student (about $10,000), Corsicana Middle shows more volatility in scores, with a notable drop in 8th-grade Math and a jump in Algebra I between school years. Collins Intermediate has plateaued with little change year-over-year. The district's 0.6% dropout rate at Corsicana Middle is lower than the district average, but overall, the data points to a need for more equitable resource distribution to help all students, not just those in advanced tracks, achieve proficiency.
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