Summary:
The Simms Independent School District (ISD) is home to a single middle school, James Bowie Middle, which serves grades 6 through 8 with a small enrollment of 115 students in Simms, Texas.
James Bowie Middle presents a mixed picture of performance. A standout strength is its advanced math program: in the 2024-2025 school year, 100% of Algebra I test-takers were proficient, and 91.67% were proficient the following year, dramatically exceeding state averages. However, this success contrasts sharply with the school's general math scores, where 7th-grade proficiency was just 15.79% in 2025-2026. The school also shows a clear strength in Reading over Math, with average Reading proficiency across all grades at 43.87% compared to 30.97% in Math for the same year. Social Studies is another consistent bright spot, with 8th-grade scores matching or exceeding state averages. The school's state ranking has been volatile, dropping from the 60th percentile (3 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 40th percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026. A notable asset is its low student-teacher ratio of 9.4:1, which allows for personalized attention.
A key takeaway is the disconnect between the school's performance and its district. While Simms Independent School District (Isd) is ranked in the 73rd percentile (4 stars) among Texas districts, James Bowie Middle has fallen to the 40th percentile. This suggests the district's high ranking is likely driven by its elementary and high schools, making the middle school a relative weak point. For parents, this means the school offers an exceptional advanced math track and strong social studies instruction, but the general math curriculum and overall state ranking are areas of concern that warrant attention.
Thank you for your feedback!