Middle Schools in Ysleta Independent School District (Isd)

The seven middle schools in the Ysleta Independent School District (Isd), serving grades 6 through 8 in El Paso, Texas, present a diverse academic landscape where a few standout schools defy economic challenges while others struggle despite higher spending. Eastwood Middle is the clear top performer, holding the highest state ranking (78th percentile) and a 4-star rating, with strong 8th-grade Reading and Math scores, and it benefits from the lowest rate of economic disadvantage (65%). In contrast, Hanks Middle is a rising star, achieving the second-highest ranking (74th percentile) and a 4-star rating despite a 90% economically disadvantaged student body, excelling in 8th-grade Math and Social Studies. At the bottom, Riverside Middle holds the lowest ranking (35th percentile) and a 1-star rating, with the highest per-student spending ($10,737) but the lowest test scores across most subjects.

Key metrics reveal a wide performance spread and a universal strength in advanced math. State rankings range from Eastwood at the 78th percentile to Riverside at the 35th, with Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle (66th), Ysleta Middle (56th), Bel Air Middle (48th), and Del Valle Middle (36th) in between. A standout finding is that every school achieves exceptionally high proficiency in Algebra I, far exceeding the state average, with Del Valle leading at an impressive 98.96%—a bright spot for an otherwise lower-performing school. However, 7th-grade Math is a district-wide challenge, with proficiency rates dropping dramatically compared to 6th and 8th grades, suggesting a curriculum gap that needs attention.

Interesting takeaways include that spending does not directly correlate with performance, as Riverside has the highest spending but lowest results, while Del Valle has the lowest spending ($9,431). Improvement trajectories vary: Hanks and Ysleta Middle have shown significant upward trends in state rankings, while Bel Air and Del Valle have stagnated. For parents, Eastwood Middle offers the strongest overall academics, Hanks Middle proves that high achievement is possible in high-poverty settings, and the district’s Algebra I program is a clear strength across all schools.