Summary:
The Hereford Independent School District (Isd) is home to two middle schools—Hereford J H (serving grades 6-7) and Hereford Preparatory Academy (serving grade 8)—both located in a community where nearly 80% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating high economic need.
Hereford Preparatory Academy stands out as the stronger-performing school, showing a remarkable upward trend in its state ranking from the 12th percentile to the 39th percentile over three years, earning a 2-star rating. Its 8th graders achieved 48% proficiency in Reading and 43% in Math, far exceeding the 30-31% Reading and 5-31% Math scores at Hereford J H. Most notably, 88% of its students taking Algebra I were proficient, nearly double the state average of 54%. In contrast, Hereford J H struggles significantly, especially in 7th-grade math where only 5% of students were proficient—a catastrophic result compared to the state average of 29%. This school has remained stagnant in the 16th-24th percentile range with a 1-star rating.
A key takeaway is the stark contrast between the two schools despite similar resources: Hereford J H actually spends slightly more per student ($9,950 vs. $9,675) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (11.9:1 vs. 13.8:1), yet its outcomes are far worse. This raises questions about instructional effectiveness, particularly in 7th-grade math. The Algebra I success at Hereford Preparatory Academy may reflect selective enrollment, as its general 8th-grade math proficiency (43%) still trails the state average (47%). Overall, the district ranks in the 25th percentile statewide, with Hereford Preparatory Academy showing promise while Hereford J H requires urgent intervention.
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