Summary
Palestine J H in Palestine, TX, serves 456 students in grades 7 and 8 within the Palestine Independent School District (Isd), and is a school where over 80% of students come from low-income households. The school has maintained a perfect zero-dropout rate over the last five years, and its standout feature is an exceptional Gifted and Talented program that recently jumped to the 93rd percentile statewide, earning a 5-star rating—a remarkable turnaround from just two years prior. Additionally, 8th-grade math is a consistent strength, with proficiency rates often exceeding the state average, such as 48% in 2025-2026 compared to the state's 47.24%, and significantly outperforming nearby schools like Westwood J H (13.83%) and Elkhart Middle (30.43%).
However, the school faces critical challenges. Its Special Education program is in severe decline, ranking in the 7th percentile statewide with a 0-star rating, a sharp drop from the 39th percentile two years ago. Additionally, 8th-grade Social Studies remains a persistent weakness, with proficiency rates hovering around 20% for the past four years, consistently 10-12 points below the state average. While 7th-grade math is also a weak spot, the dramatic improvement from 7th to 8th grade suggests that the 8th-grade math curriculum is particularly effective, offering a bright spot for students who struggle earlier.
Compared to nearby schools, Palestine J H is a stronger option than Westwood J H, which has a 0-star rating and single-digit proficiency rates, but it is clearly outperformed by Elkhart Middle, which serves a more affluent population and excels in Reading and Science. Grapeland J H, a smaller rural school, shows mixed results but outperforms Palestine J H in 7th-grade Reading and 8th-grade Social Studies. Notably, spending per student at Palestine J H ($11,485) is higher than at Elkhart Middle ($10,046) but lower than at Westwood J H ($13,545), indicating that resource allocation alone doesn't determine success.
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