Middle Schools in Hutto Independent School District (Isd)

The three middle schools in the Hutto Independent School District (Isd)—Gus Almquist, Hutto Middle, and Farley Middle—serve grades 6-8 and present a mixed picture of strengths and challenges for families. The most consistent performer is Gus Almquist Middle School, which maintained a 3-star rating and improved its state ranking from the 44th to the 53rd percentile between 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. In contrast, Hutto Middle School is the most dynamic but paradoxical school: it boasts exceptional Algebra I scores (94.74% proficient in 2025-2026, far above the state average of 54.03%), yet its overall state ranking plummeted from the 67th to the 39th percentile due to severe struggles in grade-level math, particularly 7th grade where only 4.39% of students were proficient. Farley Middle School is the lowest-performing school, with the highest dropout rate (1.6%) and the lowest state ranking (45th percentile), though its reading scores are comparable to peers.

Key metrics reveal a district-wide weakness in grade-level mathematics, with an average proficiency of just 27.64% in 2025-2026 compared to the state average of 38.41%. This is especially acute at Hutto Middle, where math proficiency dropped to 20.66%. However, all three schools excel in Algebra I, indicating a strong focus on accelerating top students. Reading proficiency is a relative strength, hovering near the state average of 55.42%, with Farley Middle leading at 52.96%. Student-teacher ratios are favorable across the district, ranging from 13.3 to 14.8 students per teacher.

The most critical takeaway is the "two-track" math system: while advanced students thrive in Algebra I, the majority of students in standard math classes are falling behind, particularly in 7th grade. Hutto Middle exemplifies this paradox, with its high Algebra I scores masking a rapid overall decline. For parents, Gus Almquist offers the most stable and improving environment, while Farley Middle requires attention due to its dropout rate and lower performance. The district must urgently address core math instruction to ensure all students succeed, not just those in accelerated programs.