Summary:
The Hardin-Jefferson Independent School District (Isd) is home to a single middle school, Hardin-Jefferson J H, located in Sour Lake, Texas. Serving grades 6 through 8 with an enrollment of 656 students, this school stands out for its exceptional performance in mathematics, particularly in advanced coursework.
Hardin-Jefferson J H is a powerhouse in math, with 96.88% of 8th graders proficient in Algebra I—far exceeding the state average of 54.03%. Standard 8th-grade math proficiency also shines at 72.27%, compared to the state's 47.24%. Science performance is strong too, with 63.73% proficiency versus the state's 46.25%. The school maintains a perfect 0.0% dropout rate. However, reading scores are closely aligned with state averages across all grades, and social studies proficiency (31.34%) mirrors the state's 31.69%, indicating a need for improvement in that subject. The school's state ranking has fluctuated, landing in the 71st percentile (4 stars) for 2025-2026, down from the 81st percentile in 2023-2024.
With a lower-than-average poverty rate (39.79% free/reduced lunch) and a student-teacher ratio of 16.2, the school benefits from a supportive learning environment. A key takeaway is the "Algebra I effect": the middle school's advanced math success (96.88% proficiency) significantly outpaces the district's overall Algebra I average (79.38%), suggesting that high school scores may be dragging the district down. This highlights a strong middle school math program that could serve as a model for other grade levels. For parents, Hardin-Jefferson J H offers a clear strength in math and science, with stable reading performance and room to grow in social studies.
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