Summary:
The Rice Independent School District (Isd) is served by a single middle school, Rice Intermediate/Middle School, which educates 321 students in grades 5 through 8. This school stands out for its strong early-grade math performance, but also shows significant challenges in upper-grade subjects, creating a "two-speed" academic profile that parents should understand.
In 5th and 6th grade math, the school dramatically outperforms the state average—for example, 67% of 5th graders were proficient in math compared to 47% statewide. However, this advantage fades by 7th and 8th grade, where math proficiency drops below state averages. Similarly, 6th grade reading is a relative strength (58% proficient vs. 39% state), but 8th grade reading (48% proficient vs. 59% state) and 8th grade social studies (22% proficient vs. 32% state) are notable weaknesses. The school's state ranking has been volatile, ranging from the 43rd to 67th percentile over three years, suggesting performance is sensitive to each year's student cohort.
With nearly 87% of students economically disadvantaged, the school achieves above-state results in several areas, indicating effective instruction in early grades. However, the 7th grade slump—where reading proficiency dropped to 27% in a prior year—highlights a critical transition point needing intervention. The school maintains a 0% dropout rate and a student-teacher ratio of 16.3, with per-student spending of $9,301. For parents, this means your child may receive excellent foundational math and reading support in 5th and 6th grade, but you should watch for potential struggles as coursework becomes more complex in 7th and 8th grade, particularly in reading and social studies.
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