Ricardo Independent School District (Isd)

The Ricardo Independent School District (Isd) is a small, rural district in Kingsville, Texas, serving approximately 659 students across two schools: Ricardo Elementary (grades PK-5) and Ricardo Middle (grades 6-8). The district is highly ranked, placing in the 90th percentile statewide with a 5-star rating, and both schools serve a significant population of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Ricardo Middle stands out as the district's academic powerhouse, particularly in mathematics and advanced coursework. The most striking statistic is the 100% proficiency rate on the Algebra I End-of-Course exam, nearly double the state average, indicating exceptional preparation for high school-level math. In contrast, Ricardo Elementary is a model of consistency, outperforming the state average in every grade and subject tested, with particular strength in 5th-grade Reading (76.39%) and 4th-grade Math (74.63%). The elementary school's ranking has remained remarkably stable in the 79th-81st percentile over three years, while the middle school shows more year-over-year volatility, likely due to smaller class sizes.

A key finding is the "6th Grade Slump" in math at Ricardo Middle, where proficiency drops to 34.21%—the only score in the district below the state average—while 7th and 8th-grade math scores are stellar. This suggests a transition issue from elementary to middle school that could be addressed with targeted interventions. Additionally, the district excels in Social Studies, with 8th graders scoring nearly double the state average. Overall, the district is a high-performing outlier with clear strengths in advanced math and reading, but a specific weakness in 6th-grade math that, if improved, could elevate its already strong ranking even further.