Sellers Middle

Sellers Middle in Garland, TX, is a public school serving 852 students in grades 6-8 within the Garland Independent School District (Isd), located in a community where over 82% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Sellers Middle is a school of striking contrasts. Its standout strength is in advanced math: an impressive 88% of students taking the Algebra I End-of-Course exam were proficient, far exceeding the district average of 59%. The school also excels at supporting English Language Learners, ranking in the 72nd percentile statewide for this group. However, on-grade-level math scores are a major weakness, with only 26% of 6th graders proficient in math, and 8th grade social studies is a persistent challenge, with just 16% of students meeting standards. This creates a "tale of two math programs," where advanced students thrive while the general curriculum struggles. Compared to nearby schools with similar economic challenges, Sellers performs better than Bussey Middle (which ranks in the bottom 9% of Texas schools) and Sam Houston Middle, suggesting it is a "pocket of excellence" in a challenging environment. However, it lags far behind the district's magnet schools like Austin Academy For Excell and Jackson Technology Center, which draw more academically motivated students.

For parents, the key takeaway is that Sellers offers a strong advanced math program and targeted support for English learners, but families should be aware of significant gaps in core subjects like on-grade-level math and social studies. The school's year-to-year test scores can be inconsistent, particularly in 7th grade math, which may indicate a need for more stable instructional practices. While Sellers is outperforming what its demographics might predict compared to similar neighborhood schools, its overall 2-star rating means there is substantial room for growth.