Summary:
The Texas City Independent School District (Isd) includes three middle-level schools—Blocker Middle, Fry Intermediate, and Giles Middle—serving grades 5 through 8 in a high-poverty area where the district ranks in the 32nd percentile statewide.
Blocker Middle is the standout performer, earning a 2-star rating and rising from the 26th to the 42nd percentile in state rankings. It excels in Algebra I, with 93-98% of students proficient—far above the district and state averages—and has the lowest dropout rate (1.7%) among the middle schools. In contrast, Giles Middle is the most challenged, with a 0-star rating and ranking in the bottom 9% of Texas middle schools. Despite spending the most per student ($13,221) and having the highest percentage of economically disadvantaged students, its test scores are the lowest, such as only 4.4% of 7th graders proficient in math. Fry Intermediate serves as a middle ground, performing slightly below the district average with flat trends and the lowest spending per student ($11,194).
A key paradox is the Algebra I scores: both Blocker Middle (93.6%) and Giles Middle (87.1%) have high proficiency, but Giles struggles in standard math, suggesting only a select few advanced students take the course there. Spending does not guarantee results, as Giles spends more but achieves less, while Blocker is more efficient. The district’s high dropout rate (4.1%) is likely driven by high schools, as both middle schools have lower rates. Overall, school-level leadership and practices appear more impactful than district policies, with Blocker’s success in math acceleration offering a model for improvement.
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