Summary:
The Round Rock Independent School District (Isd) oversees 11 middle schools serving grades 6 through 8, and the data reveals a district of stark contrasts, with schools ranging from nationally-ranked academic powerhouses to those facing significant challenges. The top performers are Canyon Vista Middle, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with a near-zero poverty rate and exceptional test scores, followed closely by Cedar Valley Middle (98th percentile) and James Garland Walsh Middle (96th percentile). At the other end, C D Fulkes Middle ranks in the 13th percentile and has the highest rate of economic disadvantage, while Pfc Robert P Hernandez Middle (41st percentile) is the only school with a dropout rate above the district average.
A key finding is the strong link between a school's poverty rate and its academic performance. The top three schools all have fewer than 14% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, while the bottom three schools have rates above 43%. Interestingly, the highest-spending schools—Pfc Robert P Hernandez Middle at $11,249 per student and C D Fulkes Middle at $10,955—are the lowest-performing, while top schools like Canyon Vista Middle spend significantly less ($7,693 per student). This suggests that increased funding alone cannot easily overcome the challenges associated with poverty.
Across the district, a notable "7th grade math dip" appears, with proficiency rates dropping sharply in that grade compared to 6th and 8th grades at schools like Hopewell Middle. Conversely, Algebra I proficiency is universally high, indicating that only the most prepared students take this advanced exam. For parents, this means that school choice within the district involves a wide spectrum of outcomes, with Canyon Vista Middle and Cedar Valley Middle offering elite academics, while schools like C D Fulkes Middle and Deerpark Middle may require more targeted support for student success.
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