Summary:
The Rusk Independent School District (Isd) is home to a single middle school, Rusk J H, which serves 458 students in grades 6 through 8. The school has a student-teacher ratio of 12.5:1 and a majority of its students (62.23%) are economically disadvantaged, with per-student spending at $10,308.
Rusk J H presents a stark contrast in academic performance. While the school excels in advanced coursework—an extraordinary 93.33% of students pass the Algebra I End-of-Course exam, far exceeding state averages—it struggles significantly with grade-level mathematics. The most critical area is 7th grade math, where only 14.86% of students are proficient, compared to the state average of 29.41%. Reading scores are mixed: 6th and 7th graders outperform the state, but 8th graders fall behind. The school’s state ranking has also declined over the past three years, dropping from the 71st percentile to the 55th percentile.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Rusk J H offers a highly effective advanced math track for a select group of students, but the general math program, especially in 7th grade, needs urgent improvement. The favorable student-teacher ratio is not currently translating into broad math proficiency. While the school has some reading strengths in lower grades, the overall downward trend in state rankings and the severe math gaps suggest that families should closely monitor their child’s foundational math skills and seek additional support if needed.
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